As the seasons change and the busy harvest season grows cold into winter, a common question is raised about the responsibilities of farmers during the snowy months. What do Albertan farmers do all winter? Settle down for a long winter’s nap? Well, not quite.
Although compared to other seasons, winter can be perceived as slower, it does not mean that it is a time for rest and relaxation. There are still plenty of necessary tasks that need to be attended to during this cold season, providing more evidence for the statement that a farmer’s work is never done.
So, what needs to be done during the winter days, when there is more darkness then daylight? Depending on the area of agriculture you are in, the jobs are endless.
Grain hauling- Grain and other crop farmers can dedicate a large amount of time transporting or arranging transportation to have their stored assets taken to a respective buyer. While improvements in farming machinery have allowed for the movement and transportation of grain to become more refined, the farmer still needs to be outside in the bitter cold, operating augers, grain trucks and trailers, and tractors to ensure that they will make their quotas and get paid accordingly. Working through bitter winds, freezing temperatures, icy roads, blowing snow, farmers complete the first step in the consumer and production process.
Maintenance and repairs- Modern farm equipment along with the technological advancements that are available, means more complicated and time-consuming maintenance and repairs. While bigger jobs may require the work of certified agricultural mechanics, lots of farmers take an economical approach and do their own repairs. Winter provides farmers with an opportunity to look over each piece of equipment and prepare it for the next season.
Planning- Farming is not done on a whim. There are strategic plans in place to maximize every farm’s potential. Crop rotations are carefully planned out to ensure the nutrients in the soil are not being depleted, the land does not become pesticide or herbicide resistant, prevent soil erosion, improve soil structure, and maximize crop yields. Seed, fertilizer, necessary chemicals, etc. are also penciled out according to the crop rotation and orders are placed to ensure there is enough to achieve the desired plan. Farmers also tend to study the markets, track commodities, review previous crop yields, make grain sales and other necessary planning or education to improve their farm’s productivity.
Animal maintenance and herd management- farmers who have livestock throughout the winter months face the relentless chore of feeding, bedding, and ensuring there is water. This can be challenging considering the nasty weather and long cold snaps we receive in Alberta. Vaccinations are an important part of maintaining a healthy herd and the winter months provide time to complete this and conduct other necessary herd maintenance measures, like selling or buying animals.
Parturition- the general term for giving birth is parturition, and livestock typically go through a similar birthing process to one another. Calving (cows and buffalo), lambing (sheep), kidding (goats), foaling (horses), farrowing (swine) are the respective terms for each type of livestock giving birth. While typically birthing goes unassisted, there are times when farmers or veterinarians need to intervene. To ensure survival of both mother and baby, farmers typically dedicate additional time to checking their livestock for signs of impending birth and tending to the newborn. Sometimes, the mother is not able to provide ample milk, so it becomes the farmer’s responsibility to bottle feed or find an alternative source.
Miscellaneous- lots of tasks on the farm can fall into this category. Winter provides an opportunity for a farmer to catch up on these odds and ends.
Tropical vacation- perhaps the farmer is able to get away from the cold on a warm holiday. By doing so, the farmer needs to ensure that his/ her/ their responsibilities are covered while they are away. You can bet that wherever the farmer goes on vacation, they are interested in the agricultural activities in the area, after all, agriculture is about constantly learning!
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