Preparing the Farm for Winter: How Sawyer Creek Cattle Ensures a Safe and Productive Season
Preparing for winter on the farm is a critical task that requires planning, foresight, and a lot of hard work. At Sawyer Creek Cattle, these preparations begin as early as spring to ensure the farm runs smoothly through the colder months and that the cattle are well taken care of.
Securing a Reliable Hay Supply
One of the earliest steps in winter preparation is securing a reliable hay supply. Hay provides essential nutrition for the cattle when snow blankets the fields, making it impossible for them to graze. Planning starts in the spring, with the team working to gather enough feed to last the entire winter. By storing the hay properly, the farm ensures that its nutritional value is preserved until it's needed.
Ensuring Access to Water
Another key concern during the winter is keeping water sources from freezing. Cattle need a continuous supply of clean water, which can be challenging when temperatures drop. To address this, Sawyer Creek Cattle uses heat tape and specialized winter waterers, like Miraco’s Mira-Fount systems, to prevent freezing and ensure the cattle always have water.
Maintaining the Fields
As winter approaches, the fields require attention to keep the environment clean and healthy for the cattle. Manure is scraped and spread across the fields, which helps maintain a cleaner area for the cattle and prepares the soil for the next planting season. This is a crucial step in ensuring that when spring comes, the farm can transition smoothly back to regular operations.
Prepping the Farm Store
The farm store, where customers purchase Sawyer Creek Cattle’s meat products, also requires preparation. Freezers are checked and restocked, heating systems are inspected, and yearly maintenance is performed on all equipment. These steps ensure the farm store can operate smoothly and remain open throughout the winter.
Managing Snow and Spring Thaw
Winter isn’t just about cold and snow—it’s also about managing the effects of snowmelt in the spring. Water diversion strategies are put in place to prevent flooding and damage when the snow begins to thaw. By planning ahead, the farm helps ensure a smooth transition from winter into spring without disruptions to its operations.
Securing Fences
Finally, the team fortifies the farm’s fencing to keep the livestock secure. This involves tightening the fences, checking insulators, and raising the bottom wires where necessary. Ensuring the integrity of the fences is essential to keeping the cattle safe during the winter months when they may be less active but still need to be properly contained.
Winter-Ready and Well-Prepared
The winter preparations at Sawyer Creek Cattle showcase the farm’s commitment to both its animals and its community. By focusing on hay supplies, water access, field maintenance, farm store readiness, snow management, and secure fencing, Sawyer Creek Cattle is well-equipped to handle the challenges of winter, ensuring a productive and safe season for both the cattle and the farm.