Why does it seem like January makes you feel every single 31 days it has to offer. For us, this seems to always be the longest month. We wanted to share with you today a few winter farm facts. People always ask, what are you doing in the winter? Well, things don't slow down that is for sure. Plus, there are a few things about winter that benefit the farm that you may not know so we wanted to share!
Cows Still Need Their Calories
Since we still have our cows. During the winter, livestock require more food to maintain body heat. Cattle, for example, eat 15-20% more feed in cold weather than they do in milder temperatures. Even in -50 below weather, Mike and Alex are out there because herd doesn't stop eating just because the weather stinks. Also, we need to make sure that their water is working. We have fountains that are heated but you never know if the electricity goes out or something breaks, you have to get water to them, even in the extreme cold.
Just so you know, many farm animals adapt naturally to the cold. Cattle grow thick winter coats, and chickens fluff their feathers to trap heat. However, we still provide extra bedding, windbreaks, and heated water sources to ensure their animals stay comfortable and hydrated.
Ice and Snow Battle
Ice and snow removal may be a constant battle. This year the snow hasn't been bad so for us, our cattle are on a road that we are pretty much the only ones on before it becomes a minimum maintenance road. Which means, in the winter the road isn't plowed or taken care of. Our road doesn't always get plowed timely for us and we need to get to the cattle. There have been many a times where Mike and Alex are moving snow off the road just to get to the cattle, not to mention once they get in the yard.
Shorter Days Mean Adjusted Schedules
With limited daylight, farm work has to be done efficiently. Livestock chores, feeding, and maintenance all have to fit within fewer daylight hours. We often rely on well-planned routines and good lighting in barns and sheds to make the most of the winter workday. As we have discussed prior, we are trying to construct a building and the cold weather has made it impossible to be out there but now the guys will be adding in construction to their daily routine.
Machinery Needs Extra TLC
Winter weather can be tough on farm equipment. Diesel fuel can gel in freezing temperatures, and batteries struggle in the cold. We have to take extra steps to winterize our tractors, combines, and other machinery by using fuel additives, storing equipment properly, and keeping batteries charged. There is extra maintenance given tot he equipment that has to keep running in the winter too, which at times may make it more mean than it should be.
NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF!
We venture out to the field to check on the cover crops. It never ceases to amaze me that underneath the snow there is green grass. During the day you can watch the deer feast on the cover crop that is nestled beneath the snow. To know that when everything else is temporarily dormant, there is life on the land, protecting the soil and providing substance to those looking for a meal in the dead of winter. When you have deer grazing on the land in the winter you also have them fertilizing which gives you better soil in the spring!
Also, we get to reflect and plan. We take the winter to review data from the past season, order seeds, and preparing for the next planting cycle. It seems like there are too many meetings to stuff into a short period of time!
Winter farming isn’t just about enduring the cold—it’s about working with nature to ensure a healthy, productive year ahead. Whether you’re out in the fields or simply admiring the season from your kitchen window, there’s always something to appreciate about farm life in the winter months. My favorite is when the frost is on the trees and everything is white! The beauty is beyond anything you can see in a picture.
Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy the beauty of the season!