As winter approaches, there will be a few maintenance jobs on every farm to carry out every year.
More often than not, these jobs get overlooked or repeatedly postponed and, before you know it, it is too late for another year.
While the jobs will vary from farm to farm, outlined are five tasks to consider carrying out over the coming weeks.
1. Winter-proofing sheds and machinery
Take the time to make sure sheds are winter-ready. For instance, lagging water pipes to prevent them freezing during cold snaps is time well spent.
Keeping a few barrels, or IBC tanks in storage, is also a good idea as a back-up in the event of pipes freezing or bursting after a thaw.
Machinery can be temperamental during winter, so keep a couple of spare batteries and a charger pack at hand for those mornings when the tractor and loader won’t start.
Also, make sure machines are properly topped up with an anti-freeze coolant.
2. Cutting back overhanging branches
Winter is a time when storms become more frequent. Strong winds can fell trees, knocking out power lines.
Trimming back overhanging branches can reduce the risk of power lines, or property, being damaged. It is also a good idea to have a generator on farm that can provide power when necessary.
3. Clearing spoutings
Cleaning debris from spoutings fixed to farm buildings will prevent rainwater overflowing and causing a build-up of green algae on shed walls.
This is particularly important if the overflow of rainwater is subsequently collected and diverted in to slurry tanks, as it will cut down storage capacity.
4. Maintenance of open field drains
Where fields are bordered by an open drain or sheugh, cleaning out debris will help land to soak over winter.
Regular drain maintenance will improve natural drainage, which will carry into the next grazing season.
5. Maintenance of fences and hedgerows
With cattle housed, now is a good time for repairs to boundary and internal fences on farm.
Replace damaged wire and posts now, before the workload starts to ramp up again when calving gets under way in spring.
Review the grazing set-up and install new fences to make herding and management of animals much easier.
Maintenance of hedgerows should also be completed, if this job has yet to be carried out.
Read more
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As winter approaches, there will be a few maintenance jobs on every farm to carry out every year.
More often than not, these jobs get overlooked or repeatedly postponed and, before you know it, it is too late for another year.
While the jobs will vary from farm to farm, outlined are five tasks to consider carrying out over the coming weeks.
1. Winter-proofing sheds and machinery
Take the time to make sure sheds are winter-ready. For instance, lagging water pipes to prevent them freezing during cold snaps is time well spent.
Keeping a few barrels, or IBC tanks in storage, is also a good idea as a back-up in the event of pipes freezing or bursting after a thaw.
Machinery can be temperamental during winter, so keep a couple of spare batteries and a charger pack at hand for those mornings when the tractor and loader won’t start.
Also, make sure machines are properly topped up with an anti-freeze coolant.
2. Cutting back overhanging branches
Winter is a time when storms become more frequent. Strong winds can fell trees, knocking out power lines.
Trimming back overhanging branches can reduce the risk of power lines, or property, being damaged. It is also a good idea to have a generator on farm that can provide power when necessary.
3. Clearing spoutings
Cleaning debris from spoutings fixed to farm buildings will prevent rainwater overflowing and causing a build-up of green algae on shed walls.
This is particularly important if the overflow of rainwater is subsequently collected and diverted in to slurry tanks, as it will cut down storage capacity.
4. Maintenance of open field drains
Where fields are bordered by an open drain or sheugh, cleaning out debris will help land to soak over winter.
Regular drain maintenance will improve natural drainage, which will carry into the next grazing season.
5. Maintenance of fences and hedgerows
With cattle housed, now is a good time for repairs to boundary and internal fences on farm.
Replace damaged wire and posts now, before the workload starts to ramp up again when calving gets under way in spring.
Review the grazing set-up and install new fences to make herding and management of animals much easier.
Maintenance of hedgerows should also be completed, if this job has yet to be carried out.
Read more
IFA calls on Department to issue ‘straightforward’ BEAM updates
Thrive: 2020 calves on target at housing
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