Winter On-Farm Technology and Tasks
The agriculture industry doesn’t have an off-season! Farmers and producers have to do lists year-round, even when temperatures drop and weather conditions worsen. Whether you’re in the midst of spring preparation or tackling winter checklists, we’ve put together this list of must-have tech for the season.
Get An Accurate Weather Tracker
Weather apps might seem like an obvious tool, but good weather technology is crucial for monitoring the health of your operation. Utilize forecasts to plan your day of work and prepare for storms, freezes, and floods.
Along with accurate weather forecasts, you should consider keeping record of temperatures and conditions of your immediate property. Having an account of your farm’s weather trends can give you a one-up when it comes to planning for planting, harvesting, and other timely tasks. Having this documentation can also help you predict the final frost before spring arrives.
Livestock Alerts
If you’re a cattle producer or care for other livestock, you should look into new animal tracking technology. Especially if you keep a winter calving schedule, these tools can help you monitor your herd without needing to trek through snow or mud.
Many of these systems connect directly to your smartphone and can send you alerts about an animal’s location, elevated heart rates, and several other personalized factors.
Automatic Feeder and Heated Waterers
If you haven’t invested in an automatic feeding system or water heating technology, now is the time to do it! Winter can be extremely harsh for you and your livestock, so utilizing tools such as these will ensure animal health and husbandry should something happen.
Soil Sampling
Another task that is likely on your winter list is soil sampling. After fall harvest and prior to spring planting is the ideal time to gather information about soil quality and components. Doing it now will give you ample time to make adjustments come spring.
Evaluate Your Business Plan
It may not completely be an “off-season” but as things slow down and the days shorten, taking time to revisit your business plan can be a wise use of time. Consider investing in new ag business technology that can assist with calculating yield and ROIto help make your business tracking more streamlined. Don’t take your resources or network for granted, either. Reach out to your farming community or hire a consultant to help you reflect on the previous season.
Really take the time to review the year’s numbers and adjust strategies for future improvement. Even though the job never ends, one of the most important things you can do is give yourself time to evaluate what’s working for your operation, what your goals are, and what areas could use more focus.
Take advantage of the opportunities available during the winter months and utilize newer technologies for a more efficient workflow. Our team at West Hills Tractor, located in Jonesborough, TN, is here to help you have the best winter yet! We have a great parts and service department to assist with equipment preparations and we’re always available to answer your seasonal questions. We are honored to serve the Johnson City and Greeneville communities.