Winter is challenging, especially for farmers who manage livestock and continue to work outdoors in the cold and the snow. But, the barn chores must go on no matter the weather!
Whether you are a farmer or someone who wants to continue to work outdoors on your homestead, these tips and tricks will give you an idea of how to make farm life easier in the winter.
Snow Removal:
Don’t wait for the first snowflake to fall. Plan how you will remove the snow from your driveway and sidewalks. And don’t forget to clear a path for your feed delivery driver so they can get the feed to where you want it! Are you going to shovel it yourself or hire a pro? Be sure to also stock up on animal-friendly snow melt such as Mag Flakes or Diamond Crystal ice melt - it’s a lifesaver (literally)!
Not only do you have to plan to keep snow off your sidewalks and driveways, but also from your barn. Heavy snow loads can cause old barn roofs to collapse, potentially harming livestock and people. Proper snow removal from a barn roof should only be done by someone who is trained.
Heated Buckets:
Heated buckets come in handy when trying to prevent animals' water from freezing. A few different variations can include insulated buckets, insulated troughs, black plastic to gather heat, old tires around buckets, and many more. Electrically heated buckets and trough heaters, on the other hand, are safe, easy to use, and work well. This means no more freezing water, no more worrying that it’s dipping down to 20 degrees F overnight. It’s much easier than DIY.
Snow Fencing:
Snow fencing isn’t intended to be a barrier to stop blowing snow. But it can help you control where the drifts occur.
If you live in a region with heavy snowfalls or frequent winter wind, a few hundred feet of carefully placed snow fence can help direct drifts away from driveways, buildings, and livestock pastures.
Critter Prevention:
Mice, rats, squirrels, voles, and other critters don’t want to be left out in the cold either. Don’t be surprised if they try to move into your barns during the winter.
For the feed room, seal entrances, utilize rodent control techniques, and keep your feed in critter-proof containers. It’s trickier to protect forage from critters, but trapping can be effective and so can barn cats.
Winter doesn’t have to be the most dreaded season of the year for farmers. By learning tips and techniques that work for you, farm life can be a breeze in the snow! Be sure to drop by Martin’s Feed Mill for all of your farming needs. Whether it’s rodent control supplies, ice melt, livestock feed, and more - we’re open all year long.
And don’t forget throughout the month of December, you’ll receive a FREE limited edition Martin’s Feed Mill coffee mug with purchases over $100 to keep you warm on these cold winter nights.