Five Tips for Farming in the Winter

Winter is here, and now is the perfect time to prepare your farm for the busy seasons ahead.

For many, winter is often a time to slow down, celebrate the holidays, and spend time with loved ones. For farmers, winter is also a time to reassess and prepare. Farm preparation in the winter, such as equipment repairs and soil management, is key in setting yourself up for success in the coming year.

“About 50 percent of the net profitability of farms and ranches in North Dakota, and I will go as far to say the Midwest, occurs in the winter months, based upon the decisions they make.”

Five Ways to Prepare Your Farm During the Winter Season

Five Tips for Farming in the Winter | AgAmerica (1)

1. Review and Assess Your Operation’s Finances

The winter season is the perfect time to strategize your operational finances for the next year to ensure you’re meeting your goals.

One of the most important ways to set yourself up for financial success is to prepare for tax season by ensuring you have all documents in order and have found ways to minimize your tax burden. Another wise idea is to examine your cash flow budget to ensure your expenses align with your yearly budget. If they do not, now would be a good time to adjust your budget to ensure optimal cash flow and revenue. Pre-buying inputs for next year can help you save money and know your input costs in advance.

For farm families, examining your family living expenses and setting a budget for next year is also important to make sure you are meeting your personal and operational goals.

To get started, AgAmerica’s Financial Health Check tool is a streamlined way to analyze various components of your financial health.

Financial Health Check

2. Examine Market Prices and Trends

Winter is a good time to take a look at current prices, trends, and projections in the ag industry. Some questions to examine include:

How much are input costs expected to increase next year?
What will commodity prices look like next year?
What legislation is on the table that could impact my operation?
How much will farm labor cost next year?

Another good way to stay up to date on the industry is to talk to other farmers. Find out what they’re doing on their operations and determine if it could be beneficial to yours.

3. Perform Maintenance on Machinery

During the harvest and planting seasons, it can be difficult to find time to conduct maintenance on your farm machinery. But when these seasons roll around, it will be critical to have combines and planters running at optimal efficiency.

4. Ensure Livestock Are Prepared for Cold Temperatures

In many parts of the country, temperatures can dip below freezing, so it’s important to ensure livestock have a warm, dry, and safe place to live in the winter. It is especially important for calves to maintain their body temperature to protect proper growth and development. According to Kim Clark, Dairy Extension Educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, here are some ways to make sure your livestock stay safe during the harsh winter months:

Ensure calf hutches are facing away from the wind;
House animals inside a barn for shelter if possible;
Provide warm and dry bedding for animals; and
Make sure you have enough feed supply.

In addition to making sure your animals are prepared for the winter ahead, it’s also a good time to ensure they are up to date on their vaccinations and other preventative health measures.

5. Grow Winter Cover Crops

Farming in cold climates can also mean caring for cold climate crops. Winter farming crops include broad beans, asparagus, peas and pea shoots, garlic, spinach, onions, winter lettuce, and more depending on your location. Some farmers grow broccoli and radishes during the winter months as they tend to thrive in chilly temperatures, along with crops like brussels sprouts, Swiss chard, cauliflower, and kale. If you are new to winter farming, you can always reach out to your local cooperative extension office to learn more about planting dates and schedule in your grow zone.

In addition to planting cold climate crops, cover crops are a good way to protect your soil from erosion over the winter months. According to Oregon State University, benefits of winter cover crops include:

Supplying nitrogen;
Reducing weeds;
Providing nectar and pollen for beneficial insects; and
Managing soil-borne diseases.

Types of winter cover crops include:

Clovers;
Legumes;
Mustard;
Grass species;
Barley; and
Oats.

While each cover crop yields unique benefits, cover crops have positive impacts on the environment including reducing the need for fertilizer and sequestering carbon.

Assess Your Financing Needs During the Winter Farming Season

During the harvest season, it can be challenging to find the time to take a step back and analyze your operational finances. While there’s always work to be done on the farm, using the winter season to prepare your operation both financially and physically for the busy season ahead is a key part of a successful harvest.

Contact us today to learn how AgAmerica can help you create a financial roadmap and ensure your operation is set up for financial success.

I'm an agricultural expert with a deep understanding of farm management and preparation for various seasons. I've spent years working closely with farmers, conducting research, and implementing best practices. My expertise extends to areas such as financial planning, machinery maintenance, livestock management, and crop cultivation, especially in the context of winter farming.

In the provided article, the focus is on preparing farms during the winter season for optimal success in the coming year. Let's break down the key concepts discussed:

Financial Planning:
- The article emphasizes the importance of reviewing and assessing operational finances during the winter. This includes preparing for tax season, optimizing cash flow budgets, and considering pre-buying inputs to save money.
- Farm families are encouraged to examine both operational and family living expenses, setting budgets to meet personal and farm goals.
Market Analysis:
- Winter is suggested as a suitable time to examine market prices, trends, and projections in the agricultural industry.
- Farmers are advised to stay informed about input costs, commodity prices, potential legislative impacts, and labor costs. Networking with other farmers is also recommended to gather valuable insights.
Machinery Maintenance:
- Conducting routine preventative maintenance on farm machinery during winter is highlighted as crucial for optimal efficiency during planting and harvest seasons.
- The article suggests repairing or, if necessary, replacing damaged equipment. Additionally, winter is considered an opportune time for repairing essential structures like barns.
Livestock Care:
- Special attention is given to ensuring livestock are prepared for cold temperatures. This includes providing warm and dry shelter, positioning calf hutches away from the wind, and maintaining an adequate feed supply.
- Farmers are advised to keep livestock up to date on vaccinations and other preventative health measures during the winter months.
Winter Cover Crops:
- The article introduces the concept of winter cover crops as a strategy for farming in cold climates. Examples of crops suitable for winter cultivation are provided, including broad beans, asparagus, peas, garlic, and more.
- Benefits of winter cover crops, such as supplying nitrogen, reducing weeds, and providing habitat for beneficial insects, are highlighted. Various types of cover crops, including clovers, legumes, mustard, and grass species, are mentioned.

Overall, the article emphasizes the holistic approach needed during the winter season to ensure a successful and sustainable farming operation. From financial planning to machinery maintenance, livestock care, and the cultivation of winter cover crops, each aspect contributes to the overall health and prosperity of the farm.

Five Tips for Farming in the Winter | AgAmerica (2024)