Winter: A Great Time to Reflect & Plan for Improvement
Another year is rapidly coming to an end and if you are like me it seems to have flown by. This year’s harvest is nearly complete and winter is just around the corner. Winter is a great time for farmers to reflect on the successes and challenges of the past year while planning strategic improvements for the upcoming season.
Reflect
Start by evaluating the overall performance of your farm operation during the past year. Yields, nutrient applications, input costs, soil health, erosion, and improving water quality are some of the areas to look at. Did you achieve your goals for the year? What unexpected challenges arose, and how were they addressed? What were areas of success and what areas need improvement?
Plan
Armed with a comprehensive understanding of your farm's strengths and areas to improve, use the winter months to develop a strategic plan for the upcoming year. Select one or two items from the list of identified areas to improve. Set realistic goals, and outline actionable steps to achieve your goals. Consider incorporating new technologies or adopting innovative approaches to enhance productivity and sustainability.
Suggested Programs to Improve Your Operation
1. Soil Testing.
Current soil test results (3 years or less) If you don’t have current soil tests consider this program as a step to improve your operation. Ashland SWCD can assist you with collecting samples. Sample bags along with a soil probe or Collect-N-Go collection kit are available at the SWCD office. You collect samples, bring to SWCD office, and fill out forms. Ashland SWCD will send samples to the lab and return your results. For more information contact Ruth McCrea, Outreach Specialist phone 419-281-7645.
2. Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan
After you have soil test results the next step is a nutrient management plan. A nutrient management plan will have fertilizer and or manure recommendations based on your soil test and crop yield goals. Applying these recommendations supplies the crop nutrient needs without over applying. A plan can improve several aspects of your operation. Contact our office for assistance to develop a nutrient management plan for next year’s operation. Free plans are available from Ashland SWCD with your soil tests results.
3. Cover Crops
If you want to improve your operation by reducing erosion and improving soil health adding cover crops may be for you. Or you may want to try interseeding a cover crop or terminating your cover crop with a roller crimper. Ashland SWCD has a roller crimper and an interseeder as part of their equipment rental program so you can try these practices without purchasing the equipment. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District offers a $12/acre cost share for acres in the Muskingum Watershed. If you have land in the Muskingum Watershed you can apply for $12 an acre cost share through Ashland SWCD. Call Ashland SWCD to apply for the MWCD cost share.
4. Develop a Grazing Plan
If you are grazing livestock a grazing plan may improve your operation by increasing forage production and reducing feed cost. Planning number and size of paddocks, number of livestock, location of watering facilities, and how much supplemental forage you may need are all included in the plan. Following a plan will improve your operation by reducing overgrazing, increasing forage and improving animal production. Ashland SWCD can help if you want to develop a grazing plan.
5. Exclusion Fencing
If your livestock have access to a stream consider an exclusion fencing project to reduce erosion and improve the stream habitat and water quality on your farm. Ashland SWCD can provide technical assistance and help apply for the MWCD cost share. The cost share funds can be used to install conservation practices such as: fencing, stream crossings and off-stream watering systems. Participation in the program will require the installation of a buffer area alongside the water body from which livestock are being excluded. Cost share funds will cover 75% of the total installation costs of the projects, up to the maximum cost share limits for each of the practices. Total cost share funds per project will not exceed $10,000. Special Areas designated to be combined with other funds may be eligible for 100% coverage of the project costs.
In conclusion, winter is a season of reflection and planning for farmers. By carefully evaluating the past and strategically preparing for the future, farmers can ensure a more successful and sustainable operation in the year ahead. The first step in taking any new action is making a decision, and winter is perfect deciding weather.