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Anyone who's ever run a farm knows that it takes more than a green thumb to be successful. A good farm management software (FMS) will help you track financials and budgets, integrate with other programs, and generate useful reports that can help your business grow. The following are some of the top features to look for in a good farm management software: Reliable and secure A farm management software should be reliable, stable and secure. It should run smoothly on the computer you're using, whether it's a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. You shouldn’t have to worry about the system crashing or otherwise being disconnected while you’re using it. Data security is also important to consider when choosing a farming software solution. Ensuring that your data is protected from hackers and other cyber threats is crucial for any business owner who wants to keep their information safe at all times. Easy to use The system you choose should be easy to use. It needs to be intuitive so that anyone on your farm can pick it up and begin working with it immediately. If you're going to spend time and money implementing a new system, make sure that the learning curve is as short as possible — you don't want your employees wasting their time trying out something that doesn't work for them! The last thing you want when working with technology is having too many complicated steps involved in getting things done — so make sure that whatever software program you choose has an intuitive user interface (UI) so anyone can use it without needing much training beforehand! Additionally, consider whether or not this software will be able to accommodate future growth within the company; if there are multiple people who will need access at different times throughout the day (or even just one person who works from home), then having an easy-to-learn interface will help everyone achieve their goals efficiently and effectively. Customizable and scalable A farm management system should be customizable to your needs, budget, and goals. Whether you’re a livestock or crop farmer, you’ll want to make sure that you can customize the software to fit your specific needs, whether this means keeping track of birthing records or planting dates. The system should also be able to handle growth in the number of users, as well as growth in the amount of data. If your business grows and you add more employees or contract workers, it's important that they can all use the same platform with ease. The same goes for increasing amounts of data; if you've been collecting information for years, but haven't had a way to organize it until now — or if your operation has grown so much over time that its current software isn't cutting it anymore — you need something scalable enough to keep up with all this new information without breaking under pressure (or costing too much money). Cost effective The next feature to look for in a farm management system is cost effectiveness. This means that you get the most out of your money, which is important since farming can be expensive. You want to make sure that the software has features that will help you save money and reduce labor costs. The ability to track your farm's financials If you're looking for a farm management software, the ability to track your farm's financials should be at the top of your list. This feature will allow you to keep track of income, expenses and inventory levels so that you can make informed decisions about how best to invest in your operations. In addition to tracking income and expenses, it's also important for farmers who want their farms to run smoothly that they have access to tools that help them track receivables and payables as well as loans and debt at any given point in time. The ability to create and manage budgets Budgeting is a key part of running a farm. It helps you plan for the future, ensures that you have enough money to pay your bills, and makes sure that you can invest in new equipment or supplies for your business. You should look for a farm management software that allows you to create budgets by month or year. It should also allow users to enter their own figures into these budgets, so they can update them as needed. The ability to integrate with other software (like SAP) SAP is a popular software program used by many businesses. It helps you manage your inventory, finance, sales and purchases. If you have an existing SAP system, then your farm management software should be able to link with it so that all of your data can be pulled into one place. This will make it easier for you to see how different parts of your business are doing so that any problems can be addressed quickly and efficiently. The ability to generate reports that show you how well you're doing (and where you need improvement) Your FMS should have the ability to produce reports that show you how well or poorly your farm is doing. This can be done by generating a report on the number of animals, feed costs and expenses, labor hours spent on specific tasks, etc. It’s important to be able to see how well your business is performing so that if there are areas where improvements need to be made in order for profitability or sustainability, then you can make those changes! The ability to collect cash flow statements from your customers and vendors It is important to collect cash flow statements from your customers and vendors. Cash flow statements are a way of tracking the amount of money that comes into and goes out of your business on a regular basis. This information can be used to help determine whether or not you have enough working capital at any given time, as well as how much money is available for hiring new employees or purchasing new equipment if needed. You should be able to import these statements into your farm management software using an Excel file upload feature that many platforms offer, but there may also be some manual work involved depending on how often these documents are updated by vendors or clients. The ability to create custom reports, forms and data exports based on your farm's needs The ability to create custom reports, forms and data exports based on your farm's needs is an essential feature of any good farm management software. It's important to be able to customize the software so that it reflects your goals and objectives as a farmer. For example: If you need access to specific information at certain points in time (e.g., quarterly or monthly), then this should be an option within the software itself. You may also want the ability to export certain data in formats such as Excel spreadsheets or CSV files so that it can be used elsewhere. Final Thoughts on Top Features to Look For in a Farm Management System There are many features to look for in a farm management software. These include data security and backup, the ability to track your crops and livestock, and a user-friendly interface that allows you to easily input data and run reports on your computer or mobile device. Farmbrite’s farm management software offers all of these features and more. Check out their full list of services here. When it comes to choosing the right farm management software, the most important thing to consider is what your farm business needs from an FMS.

Whether you’re growing acres of crops or a small kitchen garden, fertilizer is an important part of making sure your plants are healthy and productive. Making your own fertilizer is a great way to save money, reduce waste, and customize the amount of nutrients your plants need to thrive. Read on to learn how you can use organic matter like compost and livestock bedding to make your own fertilizer on-farm. Why is fertilizer important? Fertilizer is a mixture of different types of nutrients that you feed your plants. It's important to understand what these nutrients are and how they work together, so you can choose the right fertilizer for your crops. Fertilizer is also known as plant food, and it's an essential part of growing healthy crops. Without fertilizer, plants don’t have enough energy to grow and be as productive as possible. Your plants won't be as healthy. You can purchase pre-mixed fertilizer from your local farm supply store, but this comes with predetermined nutrient amounts. The benefit of making your own fertilizer is that you can customize how much of each nutrient is included, making it ideal for your crops and soil. What nutrients are in fertilizer? The five main ingredients in fertilizers are nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium and magnesium. These elements make up more than 90% of plant material by weight. Nitrogen is a gas that plants use to grow. Phosphorous helps plants grow new roots and leaves. Potassium helps plants grow strong stems and roots. Fertilizer recipes vary depending on the type of plant you are growing; some fertilizers are made specifically for tomatoes or fruit trees, for example. Fertilizer recipes also vary based on whether you are using organic or non-organic ingredients. How to determine the ratio of nutrients The ratio of nutrients in fertilizer varies depending on what kind of plant you're feeding and its needs. The ratio can also be determined by a soil test, which will tell you what nutrients your crops need. If you have sandy soil or live in an area with alkaline water (which is common), then the pH may be out of balance and will require additional adjustments before adding any fertilizer. The best way to determine what your crops need is by testing the soil. There are many different kinds of soil tests, but most will provide you with a list of nutrients that are either in excess or deficient in your soil. From there, you can adjust your fertilizer ratio based on those results. Can compost be used as fertilizer? Compost is a great source of nutrients for your plants. Compost is made up of organic matter, such as leaves and livestock bedding, that has been broken down by beneficial microbes into nutrients that can be absorbed by plants. These microbes also help break down organic matter in the soil, which helps retain moisture and nutrients. Adding compost to your crop acreage will give you healthy soil with more microorganisms than just plain dirt would have. Compost can be used as a mulch, a soil amendment and even a fertilizer. It is easy to make your own compost or purchase it from local garden centers. Composting is also an effective way to reduce waste and save money! If you're looking for something simple and easy, try mixing up some compost or worm castings with water into a liquid solution before applying it directly onto the soil around your plants. Ingredients to make your own fertilizer If you don’t have a compost pile, there are other ways to make your own fertilizer. Below are the most common ingredients in fertilizer. You can purchase these from your local farm supply store, or order them online. In some cases, you can even find them on your farm. By purchasing them separately, you can choose how much of each nutrient goes into your fertilizer. This will help you to customize your fertilizer to your soil type and crops. 1. Urea Urea is a nitrogen-rich compound that's produced by bacteria, and can be used as a fertilizer. It's also the main ingredient in many fertilizers. Urea comes from urine that has been filtered through the kidneys and excreted from the body. easy way to add urea to your fertilizer is by adding used livestock bedding to your compost pile. You can also purchase urea from your local farm supply store. 2. Ammonia sulfate Ammonia sulfate is a mixture of ammonia and sulfuric acid. It's used to make ammonium sulfate fertilizers, which are used on crops such as corn, wheat and potatoes. Ammonia sulfate is produced by reacting ammonia with sulfuric acid. This reaction produces water as well as ammonium sulfate crystals that can be filtered out from the solution and dried in an oven. Ammonia sulfate is also known as "salt cake" or "salt petre". It's a liquid fertilizer that has been used since ancient times for its ability to increase crop yields greatly when applied correctly - especially when mixed with other ingredients like animal manure or composted plant matter. 3. Solid Super phosphate Solid super phosphate is a fertilizer made from ground rock phosphate. It's good for crops that need more phosphorus, such as corn, wheat and alfalfa. To make solid super phosphate: Add 80 pounds of ground rock phosphate to a 5-gallon bucket (about 2.5 gallons) of water. Mix well until all of the powder has dissolved in the water. Pour this solution into another bucket and add another gallon of water to make sure there are no lumps left behind in your mixture. 4. Potassium chloride Potassium chloride is a mineral salt that can be used to make fertilizer. This form of potassium is often used in the manufacture of potassium nitrate, potassium permanganate, and potassium chlorate. 5. Granular lime (optional) Granular lime is a good option if you want to add a small amount of calcium and magnesium to your soil. It can be used in addition to bone meal or rock phosphate, or on its own if you don't have those materials available. The amount of granular lime you need will depend on what kind of soil you have, how much nitrogen your plants are getting from other sources (like manure), and whether they need extra calcium or not. How to make your own fertilizer Now that you know the ingredients needed to make your own fertilizer, the next step is to mix together the correct amounts of each nutrient. The best way to know how much of each nutrient is ideal for your crops is to have your soil tested. This will let you know which nutrients your soil has in excess and is deficient in, so you can tailor your fertilizer to suit your specific situation. When you’re ready to mix together your ingredients, you’ll want to add water to the mixture and apply them to your fields using a tractor or other type of machinery. Here is a calculator to find the ratios you need. Conclusion When you're growing crops or gardening, the work doesn't stop at planting. You also need to keep your plants healthy by making sure they get all the nutrients they need. Making your own fertilizer on-farm is an easy way to save money, reduce waste, and customize nutrients to your plants’ needs. It is a great way to recycle used livestock bedding and manure, as well. Farmbrite is an all-in-one farm software that can help you keep track of your soil samples, soil ratios and many other helpful items on your farm. Try us free for 14 days.

We've already talked about how small farms can get into trouble but what about getting funding to start or expand your farm? If you're ready to get started and need a bit of help to get you there, finding a funding option may help. How do you get funding for your small farm, you ask? Whether you grow vegetables for market, fresh cut flowers, fruits, berries or raise livestock for milk or meat having access to capital is a critical part of any farm business. Keep reading to learn about some common funding avenues and potential approaches that might work for your farm. In this article we're going to talk about some of the key ways to find funding for your farm and review the different farm financing options, including farm loans, farm credit services, grants and more... 1. Finding Farm Loans Commercial farm loans are a common way to finance your farm and can typically be sourced from a credit union, local bank, private funding or from the USDA Farm Loan Program. Here are some examples of common commercial farm loans: Operation Loans to purchase livestock, equipment or seed. Farm Ownership Loans can be used to purchase or expand a farm or ranch. Micro-loans are small loans, often with less paper work and used to meet the needs of small and beginning farmers or specialty operations. Emergency Loans can help farmers and ranchers recover from losses due to drought, flooding or other natural disasters. It's a good idea to shop around to try and find the best rate and financing options. Traditional commercial lenders (credit unions and banks) can take some time to review and approve loans so be sure to allow plenty of time for approval. There are also some private farm lending companies that are working to provide innovative solutions to support financing needs for farmers and ranchers and can provide quicker approval and more flexibility than traditional lenders. For example: Steward offers flexible business loans and expert support services to farms and food producers looking to expand their operations. By financing businesses practicing regenerative agriculture, Steward strives to preserve natural resources, reduce environmental impacts, improve soil health, increase biodiversity, protect water quality, promote fair wages, expand opportunities for underserved communities, and increase the number of producers working towards meeting society’s food needs without compromising the planet’s ecosystems and natural resources. Steward offers: Flexible Farm Loans—Financing to individual agricultural businesses for equipment, infrastructure improvements, land acquisition, working capital, or marketing. Terms vary per project, but commonly range from 36-60 months, 5-10% interest, with 3-6 month deferment periods. Steward Regenerative Capital—Short-term bridge loans designed to provide a diverse collection of farmers and food producers with swift access to the capital so they can keep growing. Funding can mean being able to take advantage of time-sensitive opportunities like securing land, urgent equipment repairs, or buying livestock at auction. Participating lenders earn fixed 4.5% interest on a short 9-month term. Steward currently supports US based producers and focusses mostly on regenerative agriculture. Visit gosteward.com to learn more. 2. Small Business Loans for farms There are many small business loans that are structured for various types of business, including farms. If you have some collateral to put up for the loan then a small business loan from the SBA might be a good option. You may not have to put up collateral but instead have to give a personal guarantee (which is a legal promise to repay the loan). This is a more traditional funding option but it isn't for everyone. 3. Crowdfunding for Farms Crowdfunding has become a popular way finance new products, companies, movies and other initiatives, why not your next agriculture project? Crowdfunding is sourcing various amounts of capital from a large number of individuals to finance a new business venture. You make use of your network and the network of the people you know through social media sharing, crowd funding websites and getting the words out about your venture. You can be creative in how you structure the return of funds. Maybe it's just a t-shirt or a discount on items or maybe you pay back all the loans as they came in. Whatever way to structure it this way is very fluid and feels very community funded. So, if you have a lot of friends, neighbors, or a large family that want to support your efforts then crowd funding might be a great option for you. You can also check out some popular crowdfunding site like kickstarter or goFundMe. There are also a variety of farm focussed crowdfunding sites, including AcreTrader, FarmTogether, and FarmlandLP . 4. Find Farm Grants If you are great at research, writing and have some time on your hands, a grant might be a great option for you. There is a lot of research and time needed to invest in this route of financing. The great thing about this option though is that you don't have to pay it back. The downside of grants is that there is the potential that you won't get awarded the funds. So, you should definitely have a backup plan. 5. Microloans for farming A microloan is an alternative funding option for those who don't need a whole lot of capital to get started. Just as the names suggests they are smaller loans. According the the USDA Farm Loans program, "Micro-loans are a type of Operating or Farm Ownership Loan. They’re designed to meet the needs of small and beginning farmers, or for non-traditional and specialty operations by easing some of the requirements and offering less paperwork." Micro-loans typically have a maximum loan limit, usually of about $50,000 USD. But can be used to support a variety of things on the farm, including: Making a down payment on a farm Building, repairing, or improving farm buildings Financing soil and water conservation projects Fencing and trellising Purchasing Hoop houses Bees and/or bee-keeping equipment Milking and pasteurization equipment Purchasing livestock, seed, fertilizer or other materials essential to the operation Paying for utilities, land rents, family living expenses, and other materials essential to the operation Installing or expanding irrigation Compliance costs, such as GAP (Good Agricultural Practices), GHP (Good Handling Practices), and Organic certification costs Marketing and distribution costs, for example fees for selling through Farmers’ Markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operations Like any loan, yo qualify for these types of loans your financial institution will evaluate your ability to repay the loan, but often the application and approval process are more simpler. Visit the USDA Farm loan micro-loan site to learn more. 6. Bootstrap your Farm Getting funding is a hot topic and it seems that all the cool kids are doing it but it might not be for you. Maybe you don't want to start your farm business in debt (that's wise) or maybe you don't have great credit or collateral. Whatever the reason you can find alternatives to borrowing a lot of money. Bootstrapping is just using your own capital to start your farm. That could be through working a second job and your partner(s) run the farm or vice-versa. Maybe you live on farm and work part-time for the farm or the other job. This is a great way to start out in farming without starting out in debt. Truthfully, many farmers are bootstrapping their farms even when they are bringing in a profit. Other options to invest in your business If you don't mind using your own capital to secure a loan then these options might be for you. If you have a home and don't mind using it for collateral you could use a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) or use a personal or small business credit card to fund your farm business. I put these last because these are putting your in a difficult place if you don't get a great start on your farm. They often come with a higher interest rate and therefore a higher risk to you. 7. Start a CSA One other financing option that can be a great fit for many growers is to start a CSA. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs have been around for years. They allow members to pay in advances, often at the start of the season, and in turn receive produce, meat or flowers through the growing season. This method allows farmers to sell CSA shares to community members to help cover seed, material, labor and other growing costs through the season. Check out this article from the Farm Bureau to learn more about starting a CSA Summary So there are a few funding options for you to look into. It really comes down to your risk tolerance and your specific situation. Below are some other links to find other information as you start your farm. As always, we wish you the best of luck in your agricultural venture and Happy Farming! Additional Resources for Farm Funding, Grants, Lending and Financing: Crowd funding success Keys to success in Value-Added Agriculture (PDF) Agriculture alternatives Organic cost share program Finding micro-loan funding Value added producer grants Steward Farm Loans USDA Farm Loans Program USDA Farm Load Discovery Tool Ambrook Farm Funding Search Worldwide Farm Funding Options US funding US grants and loans UK Funding for small businesses Finding funding in the EU Farm grants in Canada Farm funding in Canada Finding farm funding in Africa Latin American farm grants More Latin American & Caribbean farm grants If you would like information on how to plan, manage and scale your farm business by keeping better records and have visibility into your farm profits take a look at Farmbrite!

As business people we are all working to innovate in our market. We do the hard work day in and day out but often we can work smarter by innovating. We can do this by finding a niche in our market, serving our customers the best we can, and working smart, growing our business and feeling a sense of accomplishment from these tasks. We can all learn from each other as we go about these tasks. The business sector and the farming industry are not that different from each other. They both are usually pretty passionate about what they're doing, they both have a product to sell and they both have to be smart, innovate and work hard to succeed. The difference between the business sector and the farming sector is that one them works outside everyday. The tools might be different between these two occupations but bottom line application is the same - they are both businesses that are working to succeed.  Being adaptable and innovating in your market is an important step in your business strategy. The market changes and we need to adapt with it. Perfect example, Avocados weren't a superfood 10 years ago. (We didn't even know what a superfood was 10 years ago.) Finding these new markets is the challenge to any business, we just happen to be talking specifically about farming. Here are seven ideas to help your kickstart your farm business 1. Find a need or market First you have to find a need. Use complaints or difficulties in the market to find this need. You might see this challenge first-hand, or maybe you have heard of a specific difficulty from someone else. Whatever problem you find, this is what you try to solve. (No fresh greens in the stores in this town, no local beef in this restaurant, etc.) 2. Learn about what farm products are in demand Once you learn about a market then you can ask your customers more. Find out all your can about this product. Find out its uses and ways to market it. Find out about the production of the product and the costs. What problems does it have? How can you solve them? This is where your brand identify comes from. Do your research, have fun, put your special spin on the product! 3. Network with other farmers Go to the lead producers in this space and see what they are doing. Talk to them about the problems they face, the solutions they have found and the costs associated with this. You will get a very clear picture of what you need to do. You don't have to necessarily copy what they're doing but you can see what makes sense for your business and how you might do it differently or even better. 4. Secure funding for your farm business This one is tricky especially for small farms. So be cautious with this one. If the idea is to grow, sometimes you have to purchase items to make that growth. Don't be afraid of spending money to make money but be clear about the economics of the purchases. Keep track of your finances and expenses so you can see where your money is going. I can't stress this enough. It's why we started Farmbrite. We want you to succeed and grow in your farm business and knowing where your making money is key. Learn more about finding funding for your farm business. 5. Roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty I don't hear as much complaining about doing the work with farmers as with other types of start-ups. Doing the work is the fun part for farmers that's why they're doing it in the first place. The business side of things is the tedious part for farmers. (But that part is important too- so don't discount that just because it's uncomfortable.) Don't forget to do your work and then work on your business too. 6. Plan and be prepared for mistakes If you're not failing, you're not growing. You're probably going to mess up and have some loss at some point.  It means you're trying. The trick is, to see it and learn from those losses. Track your progress  - good or bad -  make changes and adapt.  Another important part of this is explore new ways to grow every year. The market is constantly changing so each year you should be taking a look at how you can innovate and grow in a different way. How has the market changed? 7. Be optimistic but realistic Making tough choices is part of being in business. If something isn't working it might be time to cut your losses and discontinue. One farmer I knew had a passion for wool and so they had sheep. They didn't have a large enough property for more than 20 sheep. Without finding more property they couldn't make a profit. They had to make a decision to either keep the sheep and get more land, or sell the sheep and find a different way to use the land they had. There's nothing wrong with making a different choice once you start. Sometimes to make these hard decisions you have to take the emotion out of the equation. Do a Pro's and Con's list and see where you end up. These don't have to be overnight decisions, but be realistic in your approach to your business. So there are seven ways to innovate and find a unique space to sell in your farm business. I hope this helps you find a smart way to sell in your market.  Thanks for reading and happy farming!

Trying to figure out how many plants you can grow in your garden can be tricky to calculate. Don't worry we've got you covered. Using this free plant spacing calculator you can figure out your plant spacing, coverage and quantity in a matter of seconds. Not only will it save you a headache trying to calculate this on your own, but will also save you time and money on your next planting. How to calculate plant spacing and coverage Simply enter the size of the location that you're planting - by length and width and choose your planting pattern. Then enter the spacing between plants (you can find this on most seed packets). Easy as that! If you're looking to improve your farm planning, management, tracking, sales and report checkout how Farmbrite can help.

Image courtesy of BCS America Pros, Cons, and where to Buy One That Suits Your Needs If you’re a small-scale farmer or gardener in the United States, you probably understand how walking behind tractors can ease your work. And of course, that is the most valuable information you should have about farm machinery. That said, it is important to know a thing or two about usage, pros, cons, and overall rating of walk-behind tractors to be confident and knowledgeable when making sales or purchasing decisions. And that is exactly what we will discuss in this article. We will also touch on where to buy walking tractors. What are Walk-Behind Tractors? As the name suggests, a walk-behind tractor is a piece of farm machinery whose operator walks behind it. It differs from the normal tractor in that it is relatively smaller in size and has a single axle. Based on people’s viewpoint walk-behind tractors are also referred to as walking tractors, mechanical ox, two-wheel tractors, single axle tractors, hand-held tractors, and many other names. Nonetheless, walking tractors are powered by diesel or gasoline engines and work by pulling or pushing different types of implements just like big tractors do. Most of these tractors have front engines which are perfectly balanced by the implement trailing behind the two wheels. Notably, some models of walking tractors have been modified to contain a rider seat. Origin of Two-Wheel Tractors Walking tractors are believed to have found their way into the United States from Europe between the late 1800s and early 1900s. Indeed, Gravely Brand was the first US-owned farm equipment manufacturer to develop a walk-behind tractor in 1911. Unfortunately, farming policies at that time seemed to favor large-scale farming. So, companies that had started developing walking tractors in the United States were forced to stop due to their low demand. For instance, Gravely Brand (now Ariens co.) stopped manufacturing some models of two-wheel tractors in the 1970s while John Deere &company exited the business in 2012. But there are many companies that still make them and are widely available. Today, many Americans want to be self-reliant. The USDA the farming policies have also been amended to accommodate small-scale farmers and gardeners. As a result, walking tractors are becoming more popular in the United States. 9 Main Features of Modern Walk Behind Tractors A variety of attachments As earlier mentioned, walking tractors work with a broad range of attachments. A hitch enables you to change the implement attached to the two-wheel tractor. However, these hitches are not uniform, particularly for PTO-powered attachments. But that should not give you a headache either, because there are adapters that enable pairing. Essentially, a buyer should specify the model, size, power, and weight of the tractor when ordering for implements. This way, the dealer will provide the appropriate adapters. You can as well check the compatibility guide provided on the manufacturer/dealer’s website. Multi speed gearbox Most modern two-wheel tractors have a multi-speed gearbox. For example, BCS 750 model has three gear transmissions (3 forward, 3 reverse) while the 722 has two (2 forward and 2 reverse). In addition, some models have transport gear which makes the tractor a much faster equipment than you might anticipate. An option to add weight Walk-behind tractors stand out for causing minimal soil compaction which leads to higher water infiltration rate and boosted plant root growth. However, their lightweight may turn into a drawback where machine balance, deep cultivation, and traction are required. Fortunately, some models allow the operator to add weight. The commonly available weights for two-wheel tractors include iron wheel weights, form-filled tires, and wheel-mounted weights. You should note that some of the weights are difficult to add to the machine. Besides, the added weight makes it hard to get on track after slipping in a trench or depression. Track width and tire adjustment options Some tractors especially those meant for plowing between crop rows have adjustable track widths. This is because the spacing between crop rows may fluctuate. Basically, track width adjustment is achieved by using an axle add-on or by disconnecting the wheel hubs and relocating them. You can change the size of your tractor tires as well. Indeed, large tire sizes rise up low-lying tractors and improve bottom clearance. In addition, larger tires make the tractor easily maneuverable on depressions and furrows. However, you should note that adjusting your wheel or tire size will impact your tractor's ground speed. For example, replacing your 20-inch tires with 25-inch tires increases the ground speed by 25 percent. This might affect the implements you attach to the walking tractor and their operation as well. Lockable Differential Most modern-day walk-behind tractors have differential lock features. A differential refers to a mechanical component of a car, truck, or other vehicle that splits the power from the engine and allows the wheels to spin at different speeds. The traditional technique for making automobiles used open differential which allowed wheels to rotate independently and at different speeds. The main limitation of an open differential is that a wheel can lose traction and affect the impact movement of the whole tractor. This is common in the worst types of terrains and on roads covered by snow. The differential lock in modernized two-wheel tractors eliminates low traction and slippage common with an open differential. This allows you to lock the differential when working on the field and open it when turning. You can as well turn the tractor without unlocking the differential but with a lot of difficulties. Power Take Off (PTO) The conventional way of attaching implements to the tractor is by the use of bolts. But the process of screwing the bolts is tedious and time-consuming. Most modern two-wheel tractors especially those from Ferrari, Ariens, BCS, Pasquali, and Grillo use power take-off devices to transfer energy from the engine to the mounted implement. PTO powered walking tractors are highly versatile and can perform a wide range of functions including plowing, mowing, rototilling, snow blowing, and many more. Some PTO two-wheel tractor models such as the BCS are fitted with a hitch which simplifies the process of attaching and detaching different implements. You can also save money on a quick hitch if you only utilize your tractor for one function each season, such as rototilling. Nevertheless, if you utilize multiple output implements or rather change them frequently, you could perhaps take this feature into account. It saves a lot of time. Reversible handlebars A unique and useful feature of modernized walk-behind tractors is a reversible pair of handlebars that allow the user to walk on either side of the implement when working on the field. Reversing the handlebars takes a couple of minutes, based on the tractor model, and the swiveling grips can lock in a place 15 degrees off-center in either style, permitting you to stroll off to one edge of a cultivated bed, out of a bush you're brush-cutting, and so on. Offset Handlebar Positioning With the current walking tractors, you can offset the handlebars to the left or right. This enables you to drive the tractor more safely especially near fences and under overgrown vegetation. Furthermore, you can avoid stepping on already cultivated soil with offset positioning. Handlebar Height Adjustment Present-day two-wheel tractors have a feature to regulate handlebar height. This not only eases day-to-day field applications but also allows you to lift, slide, or shift the machine when required. This feature also lets people of all heights work with a tractor without machine strain. Which Functions Do Walk-Behind Tractors Perform? Two-wheel tractors usually perform all duties and functions that full-size tractors do though on small scale. They can be used for plowing, tilling, mowing, digging, and many other farm activities that big farm machines do. These tractors are designed to be attached to a variety of farm implements including diggers, plows, tillers, and mowers. The ease of operating a walk-behind tractor Operating a two-wheel tractor for the first time might be scary. But if you contain your fears, you’ll realize that walking tractors are super easy to use. The adjustable handlebars are a game changer for modern-day walk-behind tractors. Before you start your tractor, check on the level of fuel, the pressure of the tires, and the general condition of the equipment. Nonetheless, it is essential though not mandatory that you have a little mechanical experience with trucks, cars, or motorbikes. This is because you have to understand the clutch control, gear levers, brakes, PTO, engine stop lever, etc. Either way, new machines come with an operation manual that you can use to operate the tractor. How do you maintain a two-wheel tractor? A new walk-behind tractor will come with an engine maintenance manual. Please ensure you read and follow the instruction given therein. Other routine maintenance practices include: checking the engine oil level and topping up, Checking the engine oil and water and topping up where appropriate Inspecting the nuts/bolts and tightening the loose ones. Ensuring the tires have the required pressure Greasing the gear ball and lubricating linkages· You can keep track of your maintenance of your walk behind tractor or your other farm equipment in Farmbrite. There you can schedule tasks, track maintenance, hours used, store records and receipts, and even find manuals online. Try for free for 14 days. Pros and Cons of Walk-Behind Tractors So, why should choose to buy the small two-wheel tractor over the full-size tractors that have more horsepower? Well, buying farm equipment is informed by the scale of land to be cultivated as well as the cost-effectiveness of the machine. That said, walk-behind tractors have their own share of benefits. First, they are cost-effective, especially for small farmlands (at most 20 acres) which don’t require high horsepower tractors. Secondly, walking tractors can be attached to a variety of farm implements ranging from mowers to hay ballers, rototillers to plows. In addition, walk-behind tractors are lightweight, last long, and are easy to work with in rough and sloppy terrains. They require little skill and training to operate as compared to mid-size and full-size tractors. Further, walking tractors are appropriate for minimum tillage and reduced soil compaction. Limitations of Two-Wheel Tractors The primary challenge of walking tractors is speed. Unlike other farm machinery, walk-behind tractors are designed to run slowly in tandem with the steps of their operators. Moreover, operating a walking tractor is an exhausting physical exercise that leads to body fatigue. Cost of two-wheel tractors Walk-behind tractors vary in price depending on the size of the model. For instance, the price of a 5 to 16-horsepower walk-behind tractor ranges from $1,500 to $6,500 respectively. Normally, large models have high horsepower and operate more sets of attachments. Additionally, you will have to purchase the implements which cost between $150 and $3,000, with a few expectations exceeding the range. Further, you might opt for used walking tractors which cost way cheaper than new machines. However, used two-wheel tractors can be hard to find because these machines often serve their owners efficiently if well maintained. Where to buy walk-behind tractors If you want to buy a walk-behind tractor, you should consider searching for brick-and-mortar dealer shops, auction centers, online listings, and trade magazines. We recommend that you buy the tractor from a seller or dealer who is readily accessible to provide technical guidance and spare parts. In addition, you should know the implements that comes with the tractor and the expectation of the seller before you conclude the transaction. Farm Equipment Dealers Farm equipment dealers are the best option if want to buy new walk-behind tractors or slightly used models. They provide crucial information and guidance about the most recent models in certain brands. Besides, you can walk into the dealer’s shop and request to test drive the tractor you want to buy. What’s more, they have spare parts and can offer attractive business deals if you choose to acquire a two-wheel tractor from their shops. If you don't have a dealer close by, you can do much of your research online. BCS is a well known distributor of walk behind tractors and have many models to choose from. Buying from Auctioneers Auction centers are a good place to purchase used farm equipment. However, you should have your finances ready because bidding at an auction shop has strict timelines. Also, you should be careful with the lawsuit that may befall you after purchasing from auction centers. So, ensure you document the transaction properly to be on the right side of the law. Lastly, you will hardly find new farm machinery under auction and if lucky to get one, you might lack the spare parts or useful information and instructions about operation and maintenance. Trade journals Trade journals commonly known as trade magazines are a tried-and-true method of locating new and used walking tractors for sale. They work like modern-day online listings and marketplaces but with less visual convenience like photos, PDFs, and videos. So, reading farm machinery trade publications can be a good way to find listed walk-behind tractors. Their main drawback is that they might not give detailed information about the machine or even show you all other models available. Moreover, their readership continues to shrink making them less appealing to many sellers. Online listing and Marketplaces Online listings and marketplaces are the simplest way to find the right two-wheel tractor. They are designed to simplify your online search by allowing you to filter by model, condition, drive type, location, engine performance, and features to find a tractor that meets all of your requirements. The shopping experience on an online platform is similar to that of a trade publication, but you are given the option of emailing or calling the seller. Some online marketplaces allow you to post a wanted ad and wait for sellers to contact you with options.

Since the end of slavery in America in 1865 Black farmers have generously fed and supported their communities. Over the past 158 years Black farmers have consistently contributed key innovations that have helped to advance modern agriculture. Today, we want to celebrate some major innovations and contributions that Black farmers have made to advance modern agriculture. Regenerative Farming Practices While working as a professor at Tuskegee Institute, George Washington Carver developed techniques to improve soils depleted by repeat plantings of cotton (a nitrogen depleting crop). Carver, an agricultural scientist, inventor, and educator developed crop rotation methods that encouraged farmers to alternate cotton plantings with the plantings of corn or legumes (like peanuts - a great source for naturally adding nitrogen back into the the soil). This early regenerative practice not only helped to improve soils depleted by cotton, but also increased farm productivity and created more diversity of crops produced by southern farmers. This technique of alternating crop rotations to regenerate soil health is still a core practice of regenerative farming techniques today and provides a sustainable and environmental solution to synthetic fertilizers. Composting In addition to the development of crop rotation techniques to support regenerative soils, Professor George Washington Carver advocated for the use of compost as a way to reintroduce organic matter and nutrients into the soil. Through his experiments, Dr Carver demonstrated that adding composting material to soils he was able to dramatically increase the productivity of farms compared with previous methods. Today, the use of compost is a critical practice for organic farming and is an excellent alternative to the use of synthetic fertilizers. Automated Seed Planters On October 14, 1834, Henry Blair, born a free man in 1807 was the 2nd African American to be issued a United States patent. Even without a formal education, Blair was a successful farmer in Montgomery County, Maryland and he is credited for 2 patented inventions; a corn planter and a cotton planter. Henry's inventions were described as a very simple, but ingenious machines. They were horse driven and the machine would automatically open the furrow, drop seeds at proper intervals, cover the seed and level the soil. This allowed farmers to plant as rapidly as a horse can draw a plough across the field. He believed his machine could save the labor of eight men. His innovative planters were some of the earliest automated precision planting machines ever. Refrigerated Transportation System Frederick McKinley Jones, he become a talented mechanic through his mechanical work on a farm in Minnesota. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War I, Jones returned to work on the farm. While working there Jones educated himself in electronics, radio transmitters and synced motion picture projectors (syncing the sound and pictures). Jones went on to design and patent a portable air cooling system that allowed trucks to transport perishable foods. The system was installed in trucks, boats, planes, and trains and helped to improve the worldwide trade. Jones and partner Joseph A. Numero founded the U.S. Thermo Control Company (later known as Thermo King), which saw massive growth during World War II. His company and inventions helped to preserve blood, medicine and food - saving countless lives. Sustainable Farming Practices In 1987, Dr Booker T. Whatley, an author, horticulturist and Tuskegee University professor, published his book "How To Make $100,000 Farming 25 Acres". In the book Whatley explores key tenants of farming that help to minimize unnecessary costs, reduce waste and maximize income for small scale farmers. While building on the regenerative approaches developed and taught by George Washington Carver, Whatley has helped to guide future generations of small scale farmers to success and sustainability. Whatley passionately advocated for “smaller and smarter” farms, building on Carver's ideas to “Take care of the waste on the farm and turn it into useful channels.” These pioneers in small scale, highly productive regenerative farms continue to enable new generations of farmers to start in and succeed in agriculture. Dr. Whatley's 10 Commandments. Thy small farm shalt: Provide year-round, daily cash flow. Be a pick-your-own operation. Have a guaranteed market with a Clientele Membership Club. Provide year-round, full-time employment. Be located on a hard-surfaced road within a radius of 40 miles of a population center of at least 50,000, with well-drained soil and an excellent source of water. Produce only what they clients demand—and nothing else! Shun middle-men and middle-women like the plague, for they are a curse upon thee. Consist of compatible, complementary crop components that earn a minimum of $3,000 per acre annually. Be 'weatherproof', at least as far as possible with both drip and sprinkler irrigation. Be covered by a minimum of $250,000 worth ($1 million is better) of liability insurance. Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) & U-PICK Today Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) have become more common-place and provide for a way for local communities to connect with and support their community farmers, but this wasn't always the way. Booker T. Whatley advocated for the concept in the 1960s, calling it a Clientele Membership Club. Members of the club would prepay for a membership fee, which supported the farmer's costs and in return they would receive fresh produce which they would pick themselves (U-PICK). The model helped to ensure that the farm had a consistent and reliable cash flow and the U-PICK model reduced the time and labor costs needed to harvest. U-PICK Models have been popular throughout history, but didn't really pick up until the 1950s, helped by farming innovators and advocates like Booker T. Whatley. He believed that visits to the local farm could be a way to enrich customer's lives and provide an enjoyable excursion from city life. He also believed that farmers' markets were too much work for small farmers. Thanks in part to Whatley today customers have more opportunities to connect with and support their local farmer through CSAs and U-PICKs. Dr. Whatley's work continues to inspire new generations of farmers with sustainable techniques like the U-PICK and CSA farming models. There are many other black innovators and farmers that are not mentioned here and we celebrate them as well. Home Gardens and Addressing Food Insecurity Having enough food is a basic need all of us have but having access to enough food is something that has been a struggle for some black individuals through the time that they have been in the U.S. In the Antebellum South on plantations, slaves built what were called, slave gardens. These were gardens that they could grow food and medicine for their families and communities. After working very long days in the fields they would come home and tend their own gardens. Thomas Jefferson wrote about the resilience of the gardens of his own slaves on Monticello. These innovations are just a small narrative of the long history of Black Farmers being innovative and resilient in their communities. Supporting Black Farmers If you're interested in supported Black farmers, we'd encourage you to check out these great resources and organizations to find support or support a local black farmer in your community: National Black Farmers Association Black Urban Farmers Association Black Farmers Network Black Farmers in America (1865-2000) Black Farmers in America NPR Story Black Urban Growers Family Agriculture Resource Management Services (F.A.R.M.S.) The National Black Food and Justice Alliance Soil Generation While Farmbrite is not a nonprofit, we support organizations that are committed to reducing hunger, improving access to fresh food, improve sustainable & regenerative agricultural practices while strengthening their communities through sustainable agriculture. If you're part of an agricultural organization working to eliminate food deserts or reduce hunger, an urban community farm serving under privileged or minority communities or a community food hub that provide free or discounted food to their communities we'd love to support your mission, learn more about our free community program. Written by Farmbrite's staff writers and farmers. Thanks for reading!

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has been around for centuries, it’s just had different names and frameworks throughout different cultures and continents. Here in America, the CSA movement has really picked up in popularity within the last two decades. Today, there are over 2,500 operating CSA scattered around the United States. Similar programs are also popular and exist in Canada. Is a CSA right for your crop and community? The Benefits of a CSA CSA benefits both producer and consumer. The CSA allows producers to sell directly to consumers without a middle entity, which translates to less money invested in distribution and more affordable prices for the consumer. The Format of Community Supported Agriculture The typical format for today’s CSA includes a producer(s) and a consumer membership. Some farms, orchards, ranches, etc. have their own CSA program, and other producers join together to create a CSA that offers a variety of products. Membership Prices Membership prices may range anywhere from $400 to $700 per season, and are always dependent on the size of the CSA share and offerings. Many CSA will offer two size options. Some CSAs offer options as low as $200 and others can be more expensive, especially if they offer bi-weekly deliveries. The Four Community Supported Agriculture Frameworks Farmer Managed This is where a farmer will set up his / her own CSA, recruits members (subscribers) and controls all aspects of the CSA such as management, delivery, etc. Farmer Cooperative This is when multiple farmers join together to form a CSA membership program. Shareholder / Subscriber This occurs when local residents create a CSA and then hire a farmer or multiple farmers to grow the preferred crops. The shareholders/subscribers will typically control the management of the CSA. Farmer / Shareholder Cooperative This is when farmers and local residents or the community set up and cooperatively manage the CSA together. What Comes in a Community Supported Agriculture Share? Consumers typically receive a range of freshly harvested items including vegetables, herbs and fruits (usually organic) every week during a certain period of time. Since the majority of CSA’s operate in locations with four climates, a CSA may be set for a certain number of weeks or months, typically during peak growth and harvest periods. Some CSAs will also eggs, dairy such as cheese and milk, honey, cut flowers, beef, pork, poultry, fresh-baked bread, homemade soap, tinctures, and more. If you're not sure what to grow here is an article about the top 3 plants to grow in the fall. How are Community Supported Agriculture Shares Distributed? Most CSA shares are distributed weekly, and in-season. There are a variety of means to getting the CSA share to the consumer. Here are the most popular methods. Onsite Pick-Up: If near to your CSA community and you have the space on your farm or land, offer to have consumers pick up their share onsite. This has two major benefits. (1) Facetime with the consumer and (2) the consumer can see the growth and harvest. Farmers’ Markets: There are two different formats for Farmers’ Market pickups. (1) The CSA might have to rent a booth throughout the season to have a legal and licensed point of pick up offsite from personal property or (2) many Farmers’ Markets will allow free space to a CSA for their pick-up customers. School / Community Space: Many CSAs will take advantage of a free, public space or parking lot as a place to set up distribution. Delivery: It’s still commonplace for CSA shares to be delivered, by hand, to customers’ homes. Customers are instructed to leave out a cooler during hot days for deliveries. Why Do Consumers Want to Join Community Supported Agriculture? The benefits are plentiful for both producer and consumer. For the producer, according to Green America, “The CSA model is more sustainable than traditional grocery stores as it connects consumers directly to more local food sources. That means that the produce travels a much shorter distance, saving fuel, and the direct-to-consumer relationship means the farmer retains a larger share of the profit.” The organization also points out that, “CSAs benefit farmers by distributing both the bounty and risks of the harvest across the farmer and consumers. For example, if one crop doesn’t do well in a season, the CSA member could get more of another crop that did grow better.” The benefits are equally as delightful and economically profitable for the consumer. Green America states, “CSAs also allow consumers to eat more sustainable, in-season produce. Consumers can also save up to 40 percent on in-season and organic (or close-to-it) produce over buying from the grocery store by joining as well according to DailyFinance.com.” Challenges of Creating and Maintaining Community Supported Agriculture The greatest challenge is maintaining a consistent membership, and a consistent product. Consumers get very angry if an entire week’s share is dedicated to one or two items such as mint and cucumber. While consumers are acquainted with natural challenges and obstacles of consistency, they do expect quality and variety. Transportation costs have great influence on food and production costs. When setting pricing at the beginning of a farm year, factor in the drastic change that can occur within a couple months’ time. 2022 is an excellent example of extreme gas price increase, and that directly impacts every Community Supported Agriculture Community. There are also struggles for the consumer. In an article written for Food Network, writer Dana Angelo White, M.S., R.D., A.T.C. notes that, “Unfortunately, CSA programs are still hard to find in some areas. Some can be extremely expensive, so you need to do your homework to make sure you’re getting the best program for your money. I’ve seen prices vary anywhere from $300-$1000 a year. You also don’t have control over what you’ll get in your weekly box. Farmers decide what they have enough of to go around (they might save certain items for sale at the farmers' markets). A large, weekly box of foods can get overwhelming and give you more than you know what to do with, which leads to waste.” You might also be wondering how to keep up with what to grow, how much you need to plant and how to keep track of what you harvest. We've got you covered at Farmbrite! Here are also some tips of harvesting the perfect market crops. Giving Bonuses in your CSA! A popular CSA marketing and education tool is to include recipes in the CSA delivery. By featuring produce in the share, consumers are more inclined to try new vegetables and fruits, and use their entire CSA share with minimal waste and maximum pleasure. Find a Local Community Supported Agriculture Share Near You! localharvest.org Extended Options The sky's the limit on what you might want to sell and how. Often CSA's offer weekly deliveries as well as pick-up locations. So you can also offer that as an add on. You might simply offer an add-on menu which might be offered each week to the members of your CSA. Your customer simply replies by email to any extra items, or orders them online and it will be included in the weekly share whether pick-up or have it delivered. Offering Different CSA Share Options There are many different ways that you can set up your CSA. You can offer a short season, and long season or month to month. You can offer a sign up for the entire 16-week season or a second option of a shorter eight-week season. There might also a month to month CSA option if you're just getting started or for the person who travels a lot in the summer. You can also offer different types of shares. A single person share, a 2 person share or a family share. Offering Add ons Along with the regular share or family share which might change weekly, you might also offer add ons to your CSA. It could be flowers, herb, meat or just more of what you're already offering. And don't forget to include a recipe to help enhance the consumer’s experience. Not everyone knows how to cook all the items that might be included in their box. Other Types of CSAs A CSA is a great way for the community to get involved with their local food. There are many different ways to offer customers CSA options and even more options for things that you can offer to them. Here are just a few options: Vegetables, Meat, Milk, Soap, Wool (Sell what you produce) Mutli-farm CSA Flexible week CSA Half-yearly Growing season Year round (provide what's in season-it may not just be food) Herbal CSA (medicinal or culinary herbs) Flower CSA Consumer or Chef CSA CSA add ons (things made by you) Classes (Canning, flower arranging, soap making, etc.) Here is another resource to get out more information about starting a CSA and if it might be right for you. We've seen many different flavors of CSA's over the years from semi-yearly or monthly CSA's, add ons, classes and more. The type of CSA you choose to offer is really up to your imagination and what your customers are looking for in your community. Farmbrite helps many farms with their CSA's. Take a look at our software free for 14 days.

Our planet is facing unprecedented challenges today, and the way we grow food is often part of the problem. But, while most sustainable farming techniques focus only on minimizing harm, one methodology goes further by leaving the land in better shape after each growing season. This farming philosophy, known as regenerative agriculture, offers real hope for a more sustainable future. It’s easier than you think to implement regenerative farming strategies into your own operation. Here’s what you need to know to get started. What is Regenerative Agriculture? The regenerative farming movement got its start in the 1980s when organic agriculture experts at the Rodale Institute coined the term to refer to holistic farming practices that prioritize building healthy soil. The four basic principles of regenerative agriculture include the following: Promote a biodiversity of plants and animals Decrease tilling (or eliminate it entirely) Reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and other external inputs Graze livestock according to regenerative management standards At its core, this agricultural approach views soil health as the foundation of a thriving planet. Regenerative farm techniques offer many ecosystem benefits, including promoting biodiversity, improving the water cycle, and sequestering carbon to combat climate change. Five Ways to Incorporate Regenerative Principles on Your Property No matter what scale you operate on, there are ways to follow regenerative agriculture principles on your property. Here are five ideas for inspiration. 1. Prioritize Crop Diversity Biodiversity is a primary principle of regenerative farming. Fields that support a variety of crops better mimic the growing conditions in the natural world and develop healthier soil biomes because of it. Consider skipping the conventional monoculture planting strategy and instead incorporate multiple species into each garden bed through intercropping, companion planting, and seasonal crop rotation. Ideally, you want a mix of perennial and annual crops growing together at different root depths. 2. Integrate Livestock Into Cropland Modern farming sees plants and animals as two separate categories of food production—regenerative agriculture works to bring them back together. This better mimics the natural world and the mutually beneficial relationships that exist between them. Best of all, bringing animals and cropland together eliminates many of the problems associated with both by optimizing nutrient cycling between them. Manure is a primary source of pollution with conventional livestock operations, but it provides in-field fertility in a regenerative farming system. Consider putting sheep or goats out to pasture after taking in your hay harvest or to graze on your cover crops when it’s time to till them in. Not only will these herd animals produce natural fertilizer to the fields, but their grazing can stimulate the plants to grow faster. 3. Create a Conservation Buffer Natural habitat space is shrinking worldwide at alarming rates. Make your property part of the solution with a conservation buffer. These small strips of land are strategically placed throughout rural properties to act as a barrier between fields and natural spaces. Conservation buffers work to slow down erosion and stop the spread of nutrients and chemical runoff from the farm to surrounding ecosystems. You can plant these strips with native plants to create habitat space for beneficial species, and you’ll promote biodiversity both in the soil and above it for healthier land in the long run. 4. Experiment with Silvopasture Go one step further with livestock on your property by incorporating them into a silvopasture management system. This is the process of keeping grazing animals within a managed woodlot or orchard for the benefit of both. Farmers get the benefit of managing a profitable tree operation, and the animals enjoy the shade, wind protection, and diversified diet that natural foraging allows them. Over the long run, a well-managed silvopasture builds up soil and reduces energy and expense for feeding your livestock. Continual grazing also keeps brushy growth down so the woods stay more pleasant for people to walk in. On my own property, I frequently graze my American Guinea hogs under apple and nut trees. This heritage pig breed thrives on pasture and makes quick work of any windfalls from the orchard. Others create silvopasture by planting perennial ryegrass within their woods to support a herd of goats. 5. Build Soil with Biochar Wildfires are a natural ecological process, and you can reap the rewards for soil health on your property by making and using biochar. This natural soil amendment has been used for thousands of years in the Amazon. It can enhance crop yields, enrich the soil, and improve water retention by increasing the ground’s carbon content and creating habitat space for beneficial microorganisms. Make your own through a controlled burn of woody brush. Pile up woody debris in a shallow pit or burn barrel, and let it burn uninhibited until the smoke thins. Toss soil on top to restrict the air supply and make the pile smolder. Let things burn down until the wood is thoroughly charred before wetting the wood to put out the fire. Once cooled, break up the large pieces until the char fits through a garden soil sieve. You’ll need to “charge” the biochar before spreading it in your fields to ensure it absorbs nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. Strategies vary, but one method is to mix it 50:50 with grass clippings before covering and leaving it undisturbed for at least three months. Experiment with Regenerative Farming Today A farming business is only as strong as the foundation it’s built on. Look for ways to incorporate regenerative farming principles into your property management plan, and you’ll reap the rewards of healthier soil. There are other ways to optimize your farm operation. Here at Farmbrite, we offer software designed to help you manage your entire agriculture business. This comprehensive management system will improve farm performance and sustainability, highlight inefficiencies to reduce wasted time and resources, and help you increase production and sales for better success in the long run. Additional regenerative farming resources: Kiss The Ground Rodale Institute Savory Institute Soil Health Academy Regeneration International Author Bio: Lydia Noyes is a freelance writer and hobby farmer in West Michigan. She writes about food, farming, health, and wellness topics related to the planet and people within it. When not tied to her computer, you’ll find Lydia weeding, reading, or chasing after her ever-growing flock of chickens. Curious about what Farmbrite can do for you? Schedule a free 30-minute demo to see how it can help integrate regenerative practices into your farm operation.

Trouble identifying your animals? Looking to streamline your livestock inspections? Health checks, pregnancy checks, and vaccinations for your cattle, sheep, goats, pigs or other herd animals doesn't have to be so difficult. Utilizing radio frequencies and scanning devices you can quickly gather information about your animals. Read on to learn how Electronic Identification Tags (EID) or RFID tags, can take the guess work out of animal inspections. Quick and accurate identification of your livestock is critical. It can tell you which animal you have in front of you, animal history, genealogy and health. But using visual identification can have limitations. For instance, if all the animals look the same, or their visual identification is hard to see because of mud or dirt, it's hard if not impossible to tell them apart. If you use ear tags often the animal could lose its tag or if the tag gets very dirty the tags might be hard to see. Add to the challenge of trying to get all the information you took from the animals (on paper) recorded and in one place. Enter RFID tags. What are Livestock RFID/EID Tags RFID or EID tags are a way of tracking your cattle, sheep, pigs or other herd animals through scanning a tag with a wand or other device that reads the animals' unique identification number. These tags have all the features of a visual ear tag, but combine it with the assurance of data integrity and traceability. Electronic tags can be not only be scanned, but can also be verified visually. Tags come in a few different types, most commonly HDX and FDX. HDX tags utilize 1/2 duplex technology which allows for reading at greater distanced are work well for automated systems (milk parlor, weighing machine, etc). FDX tags use a full duplex technology and are a more cost effective option. The tag is small, round and goes on the ear. Once you've attached the tags to the animals you can then easily scan the tag during weight check ins, pregnancy or other health checks. In addition to being able to track an animal’s history RFID tags can helps you determine which ones are performing well and which ones need a little help or intervention. In addition to the EID tags, you'll want to invest in a good scanner that is designed to work with the tags you selected and supports capturing relevant data points. Instead of manually recording data in a spreadsheet, information like weight can be saved from a scale and saved directly to your computer. This data can then be easily exported and synced to other systems for complete and accurate record keeping. This reduces user data entry errors and saves time in overall data entry. Benefits of Using Livestock Electronic ID (EID) Tags There are many advantages of using RFID tags in your agricultural operation. It lets you easily identify your animals. Second, it avoids some of the limitations of line of sight tags, tattoos or barcode scans where you need to visually see or are only able to scan one animal at a time. Instead, RFID tags do not require line-of-site, and multiple RFID tags can be detected remotely and read all at once. The RFID tag usually lasts for the life of the animal. Frequency varies from company to company so check with the manufacturer on your tag transmissions and if a reader will also work together. It's important to note that you can use different tags with different readers if they are all ISO compliant. Overall, using these types of livestock ear tags for cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and other livestock can make check in days more efficient (a less stressful) for you and for your animals. You can also find custom cattle ear tags and other custom animal ear tags if you want to customize the ear tags with your ranch name or a unique ID scheme. Choosing an EID Stick Reader EID stick readers, wands and panel readers can help you identify livestock quickly and accurately. Depending on the features of the reader they can be used to easily capture key health, location, growth and weight metrics. These reader typically work over wifi or Bluetooth. There are a lot of different EID scanners, stick readers, wands and panels on the market. When a considering a reader some key features that you should consider are: Key EID/RFID Scanner Features: 1) Ease of Use The device should be comfortable to hold and be simple to use with clear controls and menus that are easy to navigate. There's nothing worse that fumbling with your scanner while a 1,500 lb animal is anxiously waiting in a head gate. 2) Scanning Feedback Look for devices that provide clear alerts for scanned livestock, like a flash lights beeps or vibration. 3) Durability Nothings worse than having to stop a weighing session because your scanner breaks. Look for a durable durable stick reader that has solid reviews and reliability ratings. Be sure to ensure the device has a waterproof rating, provides clear feedback on battery life and comes with a decent warranty. 4) Data Storage & Customization Most stick readers are capable of storing tens of thousands of records and allow for the creation and storage of data in custom fields. Look for scanners that can capture the information you need and have enough storage to work across multiple sessions to allow extra time between syncing. 5) Export and Integrations More than likely once you've captured all the data from your scanner you're going to want to sync it into your favorite livestock record keeping system. Most readers have the ability to sync data over wifi or bluetooth to your computer. Make sure you can easily export data from the scanner system in a format that is compatible with your farm management software. You don't want to be be stuck with a livestock record keeping or farm management software that doesn't meet your needs because of your stick reader. There are a wide variety of EID scanners, stick readers, wands and panel readers on the market, so be sure to do your research: Talk to other farmers to see what works for then Consult your farm management software company for recommendations Ask for demos from the device companies See if you can take a device for a test drive Integrating Livestock RFID/EID and Record Keeping Systems Most RFID scanner will allow you to quickly and easily scan and record key information about your livestock (weight, height, BCS, etc), but what do you do with this data? Almost all RFID scanners allow you to export the data from their system as a CSV (comma separated file). Some scanners allow syncing to farm management systems via bluetooth. Bluetooth connections are sometimes prone to issues, especially in highly dynamic and remote areas like a barn or paddock. We recommend in order to reduce any potential issues with data syncing between your device and farm management software be sure the device also supports CSV exports. By exporting this data you can easily import updated livestock health and measurement data into your favorite livestock record keeping system. If you need help keeping track of your cattle, sheep, goats or other livestock, give Farmbrite a try. You can easily upload and import your livestock RFID scans to Farmbrite and streamline the recording of key livestock details without having to manually enter it.