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As we navigate the bustling streets of our urban jungles, it's easy to get lost in the grandeur of towering skyscrapers, the rhythm of busy sidewalks, and the dazzling array of entertainment options. However, beneath the facade of prosperity, many cities across the world hide a stark and sobering truth: the existence of urban food deserts. In this blog, we'll explore what urban food deserts are, the challenges they present, and some potential solutions to address this pressing issue. Defining Urban Food Deserts Urban food deserts are areas within cities where residents face significant barriers to accessing fresh, healthy, and affordable food. These barriers can be attributed to a range of factors, including economic hardship, limited transportation options, and a lack of nearby grocery stores offering nutritious options. As a result, individuals living in these areas often rely on convenience stores and fast-food restaurants for their daily meals, which tend to be high in calories and low in nutritional value. The Impact of Urban Food Deserts The consequences of living in an urban food desert are far-reaching, affecting both the physical and economic well-being of residents. Some notable impacts include: Health Disparities: A lack of access to fresh produce and other nutritious foods can lead to higher rates of diet-related diseases, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Economic Inequity: The increased cost of purchasing fresh, healthy foods at convenience stores or small markets can exacerbate financial strain for low-income individuals and families. Education and Opportunity Gaps: Children growing up in urban food deserts may face educational and developmental setbacks due to inadequate nutrition, impacting their future opportunities and success. Community Deterioration: The absence of grocery stores and farmers' markets can contribute to a sense of community deterioration, discouraging residents from investing in their neighborhoods. Many of these issues have come about with the advent of more people moving to cities and less fresh food getting to those cities. Addressing the Urban Food Deserts Urban food deserts are a multifaceted problem, and addressing them requires a coordinated effort from various stakeholders, including local governments, community organizations, and residents themselves. Here are some potential solutions: Create Community Gardens: Local urban communities can promote community gardening which helps residents grow their fresh produce. This might even foster a sense of self-sufficiency and promote healthier eating habits. Mobile Markets: Provide places for mobile markets or farmers' markets on wheels that can bring fresh food to underserved neighborhoods, making it easier for residents to access nutritious options. In some places local food fridges are available. Policy Changes: Local governments can implement policies to incentivize the opening of grocery stores in underserved areas or provide tax breaks to businesses that offer healthy food options. Education and Outreach: Community organizations can play a vital role in educating residents about healthy eating habits, budgeting for nutritious meals, and advocating for change in their communities and habits. The reality of urban food deserts is a harsh reminder that not all residents of our thriving cities have equal access to the fundamental necessity of nourishing food. To combat this issue, communities, governments, and organizations need to work together to eliminate the barriers that perpetuate these food deserts. By doing so, we can take significant strides toward creating a healthier, more equitable, and vibrant urban environment for all residents. There are many things that we can do as communities, urban or rural, to come together and combat food deserts. Most importantly feed people in need. Sources: 1. Walker, R. E., Keane, C. R., & Burke, J. G. (2010). Disparities and access to healthy food in the United States: A review of food deserts literature. Health & Place, 16(5), 876-884. 2. Larson, N. I., Story, M. T., & Nelson, M. C. (2009). Neighborhood environments: Disparities in access to healthy foods in the U.S. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 36(1), 74-81. 3. Ver Ploeg, M., Breneman, V., Farrigan, T., Hamrick, K., Hopkins, D., Kaufman, P., ... & Williams, R. (2009). Access to affordable and nutritious food—measuring and understanding food deserts and their consequences: Report to Congress. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 4. Ghosh-Dastidar, M., Hunter, G., Collins, R. L., Zenk, S. N., Cummins, S., Beckman, R., ... & Dubowitz, T. (2017). Does opening a supermarket in a food desert change the food environment? Health & Place, 46, 249-256.

You’ve always dreamed of being a farmer. Now, finally, you’ve found the perfect piece of land and are ready to leap into farming. But before you do, take some time to understand the ins and outs of a new farm business. Making sure you have a realistic and workable plan in place can mean the difference between living your dream and giving it up in despair. Farming is a wonderful life, but it is also not an easy venture to profit from. Unfortunately, many passionate but naive new farmers have learned that lesson the hard way. Don't let that scare you though. In this article, we talk about where to start and some tips on how to succeed in farming. Although, thirty-five percent of new farms recorded in 1992 were not in existence in 1997 -- a failure rate largely attributed to smaller farms starting and going out of business, according to data collected by the Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, there is hope. The good news is that experience and information matter as a new farm. Exit rates fell as farm businesses reached five to nine years old and then fell again as they got older, which means they learned from their mistakes quickly. We're here to help you do that! How do I start farming? To get through those tough initial years, new farmers need to remember: Marketing Starts from Day One Choose High-Profit Products Don’t Take On Too Much at Once Don’t Start Under Capitalized Keep Good Records Start Marketing Your New Farm Business on Day One Many new farmers make the mistake of thinking they will figure out who to sell their products to after they have grown them. But, in reality, they end up with perishable products, not enough buyers, and tossing away a majority of their season’s hard work. Marketing your farm should start from day one of your new farm business. Even if you’re still perfecting what you’re growing or don’t expect to have a harvestable crop for a few years, you need to begin marketing . That might mean starting to build up a local following if you’re planning to sell your products locally. It could be establishing an online presence if you plan to ship your products. It might mean networking with chefs, local grocery stores, co-ops, and any other potential sales outlets for your farm products if you plan to sell to them. Growing the food becomes the easy part for most farmers, especially as they get more experienced. But selling it (i.e. marketing) is a constant challenge. An abundant crop with no buyers still ends up being a financial loss . Choose High-Profit Products for Your New Farm Business New farmers, especially small-scale new farmers, need to focus on high-profit products to grow and market. This includes targeting a market outlet that is willing to pay higher prices. Low-margin products or cost-conscious consumers are not the right markets for beginning farmers. Low-cost food only returns a livable profit when it is produced in scale. LOTS of scale. For new farmers, typically with limited land and access to land, scale isn’t going to work in their favor or return a profit they can live on. Instead, focus on products that aren’t already flooding the market. That could be timing -- for instance, a vegetable farmer who only produces for the winter. Or it could be a focus on specialty markets – like high-end consumers who pay top dollar for lamb. It can also mean processing your farmer crops into value-added products, like turning strawberries into jam sold through specialty grocery stores. You might find profit in raising calves for others or starting a poultry business. Whatever it is that you start with, make sure that you immediately know who will buy your product and how to best reach them. Don’t Try to Grow Too Many Different Things at Once Diversity is on the mind of many new (and experienced) farmers these days — both diversity of crops and diversity of income streams. In general, having diversity on your farm is a good goal. But new, beginning farmers often fail because they try to do too much at once. It takes time to perfect a new crop and if you’re time and financial resources are stretched too thin, you won’t be able to focus as needed. In addition, adding diversity into rotations can change your crops in ways you might not have anticipated. Ideally, in positive ways, but it might take some adjustments before you get there. For instance, a pasture pig farmer might decide a good diversification for their soil health and finances is adding turkeys . Only to discover that their pigs kill and eat their turkeys! It doesn’t mean that pigs and turkeys won’t work together, but the farmer will need to appropriately set up fencing and separate rotations, an expense and trouble they likely didn’t plan for. Go slow with your farm and perfect what you do before adding something new. Then adjust and add as you can. Diversity will come with maturity. Don’t Start Your Farm Off Under-Capitalized Undoubtedly, your farm will cost you more than you had planned and will take longer to be profitable than you planned. Consider this a given. New farmers often start under-capitalized, assuming they will make a profit in their early years. Or, they don’t fully comprehend that profit in farming is usually limited to short periods in the year when they have a harvest. For the rest of the year, they will most likely be working with negative cash flow. Starting a successful new farm with capital will help you survive the rough patches that are bound to come. How much does it cost to start a new farm? That answer depends on what you're raising or growing. New farmers must be adequately capitalized to survive those early years. After all, the power bill still needs to be paid every month, even if you won’t turn a profit until September! Alternatives for low-interest farm credit include special loan programs, like the Farm Services Agency Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Loans. Often we see farmers, or their spouses, having an off-farm job that can pay for the everyday bills while the farm gets established. This doesn't mean that you aren't a "real" farmer. It means that you are working towards your goal of having 2 (or more) full-time farm employees on your farm. Some farmers may have saved enough money to cover five years’ worth of living and farm expenses, but it is often smarter financially to use a low-interest farm loan than drawing down all your savings. This will vary for each person depending on their financial risk comfort level. As a general rule, it's a great idea to have some knowledge of the foundations of business as you get started with your farm. This starts with a business plan to help you as you grow. This way you know how you will support your growing farm as well as the needs of your family. Both are important to plan for as you start your new farm. Keep Good Records for Your Farm Business A final component known to make or break a beginning farm (big or small) is failing to keep good records or not keeping records at all! One component is keeping records for tax time. While keeping good records makes tax time a breeze, those records can do so much more for your business. Good records help new farmers make informed decisions about their farm business. This is vital to any business. One important component to starting a successful new farm is farm record-keeping. It can point out where you’re losing profit that might not have occurred to you. Then, once you know the problems, you can work on solutions. For example, maybe you’ve been paying too much for feed for your new chicken farm. But, you can save money if you invest in your on-farm mill and buy whole grains from a local farmer. Records can also show trends and areas of your business where you can grow. For example, maybe the chickens weren’t very profitable for you, but the turkeys you raised were. Or perhaps you need better records of crop planning schedules because you missed out on crucial planting opportunities during busy times. Maybe you need a better way to keep on top of your inventory management so you don’t end up buying supplies you don’t need. Or, you are desperate for a more streamlined way to communicate with your employees and give work orders. All of these reasons make record-keeping vital to your business. Record-keeping is key to a successful farm business, especially a new one! For more help setting up your new business — including organizing all your records and marketing efforts — reach out to Farm brite about our complete farm software explicitly designed for small, medium-sized, and beginning farmers and ranchers of all types. We understand this dream and wish you much success with your new farm. We believe in this so much that we have a new farmer discount that saves you 75% off the first year and 25% off forever after that just for new farmers. Apply here ! Thanks for reading! Additional Resources: First Steps to Start a New Farm Starting a Farm From Dreaming to Doing: 5 Tips for Beginning Farmers

Farmers play a crucial role, in feeding the people in their local communities. Unfortunately, not all the produce makes it to the market to be purchased, and a significant portion may go to waste. We're taking a closer look at some options for farmers to donate surplus or unwanted food and help their community, and the planet, at the same time. In this guide for farmers to donate food, we will explore the benefits of food donation, how to find local sites to donate to, how that helps your local community, and the benefits for you as a farmer and make a difference in their communities. Benefits of Donating Food: We've all heard about kids going without food . Sometimes we may have been that kid or we know someone whose parent lost a job and was having trouble getting food for the family. Sometimes we hear about these cases as if they are a continent away, but they are closer to you than you might think. Food insecurity and sustainability are important topics that impact the world daily. Farmers have the power to make a positive impact on both of those fronts by donating surplus produce, which goes towards reducing food waste and helping people in need. Over 40% of food is wasted in the US . Production losses are greatest for fresh produce. There are many ways to make a positive impact by donating food in your local community but here are a few ways, specifically as a farmer, to donate surplus food. Reducing Food Waste: Every year, tons of perfectly good, nutritious food is thrown away because of a surplus supply. It could be because more was grown than needed or you have more than you could sell. By donating your surplus produce, you can significantly reduce food waste and contribute to a more sustainable food system and your community. It's a win-win. Help Alleviating Hunger: Food insecurity remains a critical issue in many communities. It seems like that wouldn't be the case today but as of January 2022, the USDA reported that about 10.5% of U.S. households were food insecure . Food insecurity refers to a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. Farmers can provide fresh, locally grown produce to those in need, contributing to reducing part of that food insecurity and in many cases receive a tax benefit as well .. Support and Build Community Connections: Food donation fosters a sense of community and goodwill. By sharing your harvest, you can strengthen ties with your local community, CSA members , businesses, and local organizations. You might even start a trend and help others do the same, creating a positive impact on the community as a whole. The Details of Donating Food As we've discussed donating food as a farmer can be a meaningful way to support your community and address food insecurity. Here are some steps you can take today to donate food: Steps for Farmers to Donate Food: Identify Harvest Surplus: Identify produce or animal harvests (eggs, milk, meats, etc) that may not be suitable for sale but are still nutritious and edible. Consider factors such as size, appearance, safety, and market demand. Place these aside so they can be donated. Reach Out To Local Food Donation Organizations: Connect with local food banks, shelters, community centers, and non-profit organizations whose mission aligns with providing food to your local community. Establishing partnerships with these organizations ensures a smooth and efficient process for food donation. It's important to know about their specific needs, donation guidelines, and how they distribute donated food. Check out this link to find a local food bank in your area. Reach out to them and ask about their donation food drop-off locations. https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank Understand Local Regulations: Familiarize yourself with local and federal donation regulations regarding food donations . Many regions offer liability protections for food donations, making it easier for farmers to donate. Coordinate Harvest and Collection: Plan for an efficient harvest and collection process. Coordinate with volunteers, farm workers, or local organizations to help gather and transport excess harvests to donation food drop-off locations, designated recipients or non-profits. Promote Your Donations: Spread the word about your food donation efforts. You can tell your story through social media , local newspapers, newsletters, and local community bulletin boards to inform people about the opportunity to access fresh, locally-grown food. Not only does this get the word out to families in need but it also tells your customers that you are working to support your community. It might even be some good press for you and your farm to gain some new customers. Educate Other Farmers: Share your knowledge and experience with fellow farmers. You might even encourage them to join in the effort to donate surplus produce and help build a culture of giving within the agricultural community. You could coordinate food donations together. Tax Benefits for Donating Food: In many cases, you can get a tax write-off for food donations as charitable contributions for tax purposes . Farmers in many countries, including the United States, can receive tax benefits for donating food to qualified nonprofit organizations. The specific details and regulations may vary by jurisdiction, so please consult with a tax professional or an accountant familiar with local tax laws. Specific to the U.S., there are tax incentives for food donations through the enhanced tax deduction for charitable contributions of food inventory. This provision allows farmers to deduct the cost of producing the donated food, plus half the difference between the cost and the fair market value of the donated food. There are eligibility criteria and specific procedures that must be followed to qualify for these deductions. Farmers need to keep accurate records of their donated food, including details such as the type and quantity of food, the date of donation, and the recipient organization. But you can always use a farm management system , like Farmbrite , to keep track of your donated harvests. Proper documentation is crucial to substantiate the deduction claim during tax filings. Before making any decisions related to tax write-offs for food donations, farmers should seek advice from tax professionals to ensure compliance with local tax laws and regulations. It goes without saying that farmers are the backbone of our food supply, and any contribution made to combating food waste and hunger is invaluable to our surrounding communities and the world. By taking steps to donate surplus produce, we can make a significant positive impact on your community, the environment, and families in need. Thanks for reading and Happy Farming! If you want to learn more about how Farmbrite's farm management software can help you keep track of your farm operation, give it a try free for 14 days. Other places to find food donation locations: https://communityfoodshare.org/ https://feedingcolorado.org/food-donors/ https://www.2harvest.org/what-we-do/what-food-bank/sourcing-food/farm-food-shelf

Organizing and managing farm work effectively requires careful planning, delegation, and utilization of resources. Overall, you will need to understand and balance your goals, and your resources (land, knowledge, time, money). You can better understand what you need to do, gather, and learn, or who to hire to run a successful farm. Organize and Manage Farm Work More Effectively Organizing and managing farm work efficiently is essential for maximizing productivity and ensuring the smooth operation of your farm. This doesn't mean being overbearing to your farmworkers. You're all on the same team and you should be working to bring your team together for a common goal. Below we have outlined a few ways to stay organized and use your time more efficiently. By implementing these strategies and staying organized, you can effectively manage farm work and increase productivity on your farm. Create a Farm Plan: This plan is an important first step in any farm business. Creating a comprehensive farm plan involves thorough research, goal setting, and strategic decision-making. This starts with a business plan and ends with implementation. Often, folks get that reversed as they get started with their new farm . New businesses, including farms, need to be deliberate, innovative, and smart . How you do that is part of the fun! Be creative, bring your spin to your farm, and innovate, but use farming methods and business methods that are proven and fact-based. Find Your Focus Focus on what counts and brings revenue. In business and economics, there is an 80/20 rule or Pareto Principle. To summarize, Vilfredo Pareto found that when there are too many things to do, selecting the actions with the most positive outcome will bring the most beneficial outcome. If you are focused on what will generate revenue for your farm you will have a positive outcome. Of course, this theory doesn't take into account those small problems that steamroll so don't ignore problem areas. But generally, this solution will help you find focus in your business and not take on too much at once. Prioritize Tasks There will always be more on your To Do list, than time to do it. The key is to identify critical tasks that need immediate attention and prioritize the ones you need to do first. Some strategies you might try are prioritizing tasks based on seasonal demands and deadlines or tackling one large task on a specific day each week. There are many ways to get the same list of tasks done, it just might be accomplished more efficiently if done one way or another. How you do this depends on your management style and your farm. Develop a Farm Schedule: Create a schedule: Create a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule for farm activities. This can be in a farm management software like Farmbrite or a free app like Google Calendar (or both, use the Farmbrite sync feature). You can do this on paper or digitally, whatever works for your organizational style and your budget. What matters is using one calendar as a team. When you have your schedule and reminders all in one place it makes things very easy to find, check on, and remind yourself (or another team member) to do later. Prioritize Tasks : Write out the most important tasks each day, for each person on your team. These should be the first to do each day. Then go from there with your tasks. Plan Ahead: Spend a small amount of time at the end of the day completing projects and organizing your next day. Then when you come in the following day you're already organized and ready to get to work. Use Time Management Strategies For Farm Organization: Organization starts with time management. Here are multiple strategies you can implement to get your farm organized. Do the Hardest Things First: If it has to get done, and you're going to procrastinate, just do it first and get it over with. Use the 80/20 rule: Or the Pareto Principle we discussed earlier . The first 20% effort should yield 80% of the project results. Focus on the tasks that give you the most value for your return. Time Blocking: One of the best ways to get the most out of your day. Block off time for specific tasks all day. Pomodoro Method for Productivity : Set your timer for 25 minutes, and focus on a single task during that time. Take a 5-minute break. After 4 pomodors, take a longer break for about 15-30 minutes. Time Boxing:  Similar to the last point. You start on a task as soon as your calendar reminds you. Schedule Time for Breaks: Everybody needs them so be realistic and schedule them into your day. Delegate: Find a clone of yourself or at least someone who can help with tasks. Give them small jobs at first and work from there. Boundaries : Establish boundaries between work and personal time. This doesn't mean you can't have fun at work, just keep those interruptions to a minimum. Organize your space : Physical or virtual, it can be hard to find things if we don't store them in an organized way. Know where everything is and put it back in the same place each time. (Declutter and let go of things that are in the way.) Task Groups: Group like-tasks together so you spend less time context-switching .   Know that you aren't the first farm to have time management frustrations. There are many time management strategies that you can employ to work better as a team and be more organized. It's just about finding the one that best fits your work style and operation. -> Pro Tip: Do a time audit  of your current schedule to see what is taking up your time. In this audit, you meticulously track your current schedule and look for projects and tasks that take a lot of time, inefficiencies, simple tasks that could be delegated, and more. Rate tasks and activities: -Very Important Tasks (should take up most of your time) -Slightly Important Tasks (have to be completed but are not vital to operation) -Non-Important Tasks (time wastes and should be cut or reduced from the schedule) Use Technology and Tools: Invest in modern farming equipment and technology to streamline operations and increase efficiency. Utilize farm management software for planning, scheduling, and tracking tasks, inventory, and expenses. Give Farmbrite a try to see how it might work for your farm operation. Also, check out this guide to the keys to successful farm management . Overall, utilizing technology and smart tools can help you run a more efficient farm. Monitor Farm Progress: Regularly review the progress of farm activities against your plan and schedule. If you're watching this closely, you will know that things are running behind and can adjust plans as needed to address any delays, farm challenges, or changes in resources, staff, etc. Maintain Team Communication: We can't stress enough how important communication is between the farm team and management. By keeping open communication among farm workers and management you will facilitate more ways to collaborate as a team and talk about problems that come up. One way to do this is by holding regular meetings to discuss progress, timing, upcoming tasks, work blockages, and trouble areas or issues. Being heard and acknowledged is an important part of any relationship and goes a long way in a work environment. During these meetings, you can think through problem issues as a team in a collaborative and open way. Then you can work to strategically coordinate changes and make production smoother. Implement Efficient Farming Practices: Work smarter and more efficiently as much as you can. Some farms have adopted sustainable farming practices and have found that it has helped them optimize their resource usage and minimize their environmental impact. You might find implementing techniques such as crop rotation, integrated pest management, and water conservation can enhance productivity and profitability. Establish Standard Operating Procedures: One way of being more efficient is to develop SOPs (Standing Operating Procedures) for common farm activities such as planting, harvesting, irrigation, and animal care. SOPs provide guidelines for carrying out tasks consistently and efficiently and how you want them to be done. Then everyone is on the same page of how work should be accomplished. Manage Resources Effectively: Monitor resource usage, including labor, water, fuel, and supplies, to identify areas for optimization and cost savings. Keep an inventory of inputs and equipment to ensure adequate supplies are available when needed. Money is also a resource and creating a farm budget (and sticking with it) will keep you on track. Continuously Revise and Improve: Being open to revising, changing, and making things better in your farm business is a key way to improve. Check-in and get regular feedback from farm workers and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement. Stay informed about new technologies, techniques, and market trends to adapt and innovate as necessary. Being adaptable and continuously learning will keep your farm operating more efficiently and growing long-term. By following these steps and maintaining a proactive and organized approach, you can effectively manage farm work and maximize productivity and profitability on your farm. Happy Farming!

There's no doubt that modern technology has given us the tools to make our farming operations more efficient and productive. However, it can be hard to choose which practices to implement on your farm. Luckily, we’ve done the research and broken down the top tips for increasing efficiency and productivity on your farm. Let’s jump into it! Organize Your Day on the Farm From chores to meetings to remembering things you need to stock up on, being organized will get you further. Getting organized can significantly improve productivity, reduce stress, and make work more pleasant during your workday. We wrote a whole post about organizational strategies so you can choose which strategies can help you be more organized on the farm . Farm organization isn't just about what you're doing today, it's also about keeping tools in one place where you can find them, making sure you have enough supplies on hand, and keeping track of the things that might become a problem later. You can use many strategies, like paper, spreadsheets, and software . Pick one that will scale with your operation as you grow. Whichever you choose, it is important to have an organizational strategy for daily, weekly, and monthly tasks, such as to-do lists, shopping lists, and reminders. By implementing these tips and techniques, you can develop effective organizational habits that support your farm productivity. Creating a healthy habit of being organized takes time. Experiment with different strategies to find what works best for you, and don't hesitate to adjust your approach as needed. Automate Tasks to Focus on the Most Important Things Automation is a great way to save time and money and improve farm efficiency and Production. The best part about automation is that it can be used for many different tasks, from watering crops to feeding animals. Automating tasks will allow you more time to focus on what matters in your business. For instance, here are a few real-world examples of automation you could add to your farm operations. CROPS: Automate watering tasks by using an automatic drip system or sprinkler system. This will ensure your plants get enough water without wasting resources over-watering them! Things like automatic windows in the greenhouse are lifesavers. LIVESTOCK: Use automated feeders so you don't have to worry about forgetting when each animal needs their next meal — the feeder takes care of everything automatically when programmed correctly. This might not be as great for chickens since you have to pick up the eggs anyway but for other livestock, it can save you some time. Now you just have to remember to fill the feeder. GENERAL FARM: Automate notifications to your co-workers for assigning tasks, reminders, etc. Find a balance between what you might automate, how much time that takes, and the costs. Overall, when you find ways to free up your time it will make you more productive and focused on the things that matter in your business. Use Data to Make Informed Decisions. It's important to track the daily ins and outs of your business so that you can make more informed decisions. Data is key to making those informed decisions. It can help you understand the profitable areas within your business so you can make more efficient, better, and profitable choices about your business. One of the best ways to gather and keep track of data is with a farm management software (FMS). This allows you to have data and reports at your fingertips. You can use that data to know what works best allowing you to focus on the most effective aspects of your business. This means you'll waste less time, money, and resources on things that don't contribute much value or might even be detrimental to your farm's growth (like using expensive fertilizers when cheaper ones work just as well). Add a Grazing Plan For livestock producers implementing a grazing plan on your farm can keep your farm organized and running smoothly. Consider various factors such as the size of your land, the type of livestock you have, the quality of pasture, the seasonality, and your goals for land management. Livestock Grazing Plan Step by Step: Step 1. Assess your land: Evaluate the size and topography of your farm. Determine the carrying capacity of your pastures, which is the maximum stocking rate your land can support without causing degradation. Step 2. Identify Livestock Needs: Understand the nutritional requirements and behavior of your livestock. Consider factors such as breed, age, weight, and grazing habits. Step 3. Divide Pastures into Paddocks : Divide your grazing area into smaller paddocks, pens, or pastures. This allows you to rotate your livestock, giving each area time to rest and regenerate. The size and number of paddocks will depend on your land size, livestock numbers, and rotational schedule. Step 4. Establish a Grazing Rotation Schedule : Develop a rotational grazing schedule based on the needs of your livestock and the condition of your pastures. Rotate your animals through different paddocks, allowing them to graze in one area while resting and regenerating the others. Step 5. Monitor and Manage Pasture Health and Grazing Intensity: Keep an eye on the health of your pastures by regularly assessing grass growth, weed infestations, soil erosion, and overall pasture condition. Adjust grazing areas as needed to maintain pasture health and productivity. And adapt as needed. Implement a Crop Rotation Plan Crop rotation is the process of growing different crops in a sequential, multi-year cycle. It's important to rotate crops because it helps prevent disease and pests from developing on your land. Rotating your crops also allows you to use different nutrients in the soil that might not be available when you plant the same crop over again. A good rotation plan will have several different categories of plants: legumes, grains/cereals, root vegetables, and leafy greens/herbs. You'll want to make sure each category gets its turn under the sun every few years so that nothing gets left out for too long! Use Cover Crops to Improve Soil Quality and Increase Organic Matter Levels. Using cover crops to improve soil quality and increase organic matter levels is one way to boost your soil and crop production. Plant a cover crop in the off-season between vegetable or fruit crops to suppress weeds, pests, and erosion. They also help prevent the leaching of nutrients from the soil, which makes it easier for your plants to absorb them when they're ready for harvest. Cover crops can be planted in areas that used to be pasture or fallow for several years. They are a good way to improve soil quality and increase organic matter levels, which is important because organic matter acts as a sponge for water and nutrients. Consider incorporating legumes into your crop rotation plan. Legumes, such as red clover, alfalfa, and crimson clover, are a great way to add nitrogen to the soil. Legumes are plants that fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into their roots and stems. As they decompose after harvest, they release this stored nitrogen back into the soil for other crops to use in their growth cycle. Here is an article  about which ones to plant. Legume cover crops  can be planted as an additional crop rotation or intercropped with other vegetable crops such as corn or squash during late summer. At this point in the year, temperatures cool off enough for them not only to grow well but also provide some weed suppression benefits while doing so! Overall, you will find that planting cover crops will increase yields, improve nutrients, reduce erosion, weeds and pests, and the need for added pesticides and other chemical use. Make Sure Equipment is Working Properly Before the Season Begins. It’s best practice to make sure all of your equipment is in good condition and working order before planting season begins. Check the condition of each piece of equipment to make sure it's in good repair, or if any repairs need to be made before you start using it again this season. Quick Equipment Maintenance Checklist Oil change Lubricate moving parts Check hitches Check tires Inspect lights Battery and starter inspection Check air filters and belts Inspect for damage If you find any problems with your equipment, fix them immediately so they don't cause further damage later on down the line! Optimize Livestock Production on Your Farm There is a lot that goes into raising livestock. Each operation will take these same goals and implement them differently. Whether you raise cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, or something else, here are a few things to help you optimize your livestock production. Know your Resources: It's important to understand the resources you have at your disposal, and where your thresholds are. Understanding how much land will hold your herd, how much feed you will need to supplement, how much equipment you need, fencing, animal health, and nutritional knowledge, and how (and where) to get help when you need it. These are all things to take into account. For some livestock operations, one of your largest costs will be feed. Your plan needs to balance nutrition, and average daily gains, with costs and overhead. Animal Health and Breeding Plan: The animals you have in your herd are your future profits. It's important to know how to take care of them before you purchase any livestock. Your plan should take into account feeding, nutrition, water, as well as a breeding and birthing plan. Track Your Findings: Make sure that you are tracking the progress of your herd during all stages. To get an overall picture of the health of your business it's vital to understand what healthy growth looks like in your animals as well as birthing, mortality, grazing, nutrients, profits, and losses. Keeping track of this daily will give you insights into how to run a more efficient farm and what not to do. There are so many types of livestock and livestock producers out there, with each kind you will want to make sure they are healthy and a good investment in your time and money. Take time to track those metrics within the livestock that you raise so you make sure your business is also healthy. Improve Farm Efficiency and Production by Implementing these Tips Around Your Farm. There are so many ways to improve farm efficiency , and they don't all have to cost money. In fact, most of them will save you money in the long run because they streamline your operation. If you're looking for a way to boost production while reducing labor costs and improving safety, then these tips can help! You can automate tasks, implement a crop rotation plan, use cover crops to improve soil quality and organic matter levels, and more. With these tips in mind, you can be sure that your crops are growing at their best and producing the highest yields possible. Using data to make informed decisions about your farm management is another great way to improve efficiency. Check out Farmbrite’s farm management software solutions and see how they can help with data collection and reporting. Happy Farming!

Effective irrigation and water management are crucial for successful agriculture, gardening, landscaping, or anything to do with growing crops. Irrigation management is essential for optimizing water use, maintaining crop health, and ensuring sustainable farm operations. You will save time and money by preparing a plan before you ever set anything up. Implementing the following practices can increase the efficient use of irrigation on your farm or growing system. The higher the efficiency, the fewer nutrients lost and better environmental and economic outcomes. But before that, you need to learn and understand the specific irrigation practices for better farming outcomes. Read on to learn more about best practices for managing irrigation and water needs on your farm. Assessing Water Needs Assessing crop water needs is a crucial component of irrigation management, ensuring that crops receive the right amount of water for optimal growth and yield without overuse or waste. It's important to develop an understanding of your crop's water needs so it can develop and grow into a healthy crop. Understanding Factors Influencing Crop Water Requirements Understand the Water Requirements of your Crop : Determine the specific water needs for each crop based on their species, growth stage, and your local climate conditions. Understand your Soil: Consider other environmental factors like soil type, clay, root depth, and canopy cover when assessing water requirements. Clay: less than 0.002mm Silt: 0.002-0.05mm Sand: 0.05-2mm Stones: bigger than 2mm in size Chalky soils also contain calcium carbonate or lime Understand and Calculate Evapotranspiration Rates (ET) : Many factors go into ET such as; solar radiation intensity, air temperature, wind speed, humidity, vegetative leaf area of the plant, and the stage of the plant roots. These are called your potential evapotranspiration (PET) or ET₀. You can use these factors to estimate water loss through evaporation and plant transpiration. It's understandable that during drought conditions plants may not be able to extract water fast enough to keep up with evapotranspiration and you will have to compensate. These variables change seasonally in the United States but may change hourly or even minute-to-minute. You may need to adjust irrigation schedules based on weather conditions and ET data. Take a look at your local weather station to help you find your PET / ET₀.   You can also find climate data in Farmbrite. It offers weather insights in-app as well as national weather and climate data in charts and graphs. This gives you historical data at your fingertips but you can also create climate gauges to keep track of specific areas on your farm. You can track weather, temperature, humidity, or anything that is of interest to growing better crops. Calculating Evapotranspiration Rates Calculating ET can be a bit complicated because you will be considering soil-water balance, aerodynamic and surface resistance as well as other factors. There are many variables and coefficients in these equations but we will try to make it a little more easy to understand. There are several methods to calculate your evapotranspiration. Each has variables that they take into account. Some are better for more arid areas and some have taken out some variables to be easier to calculate. Below you will find information on the different methods but here are calculators to help you with these sometimes complicated equations. Here is an Evapotranspiration Calculator created by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This is a desktop version that can be downloaded on your computer. Here is an Evapotranspiration Calculator created by the EPA. It has both a BETA version and a desktop version. It was created with watershed modeling and climate change assessments in mind. Here is a calculator that was created in collaboration with several Canadian Universities and the Canadian government. It outlines the formulas and the various methods. Evapotranspiration Methods: As we've discussed there are many methods to calculate ET. They each have their benefits and considerations. Please do more research on which method might be the best for your area and your crops and double-check your calculations. The Penman-Monteith Method (PM): The PM method is a widely used calculation and is a highly regarded and used approach for estimating evapotranspiration (ET), specifically reference evapotranspiration (ET₀). It is considered one of the most accurate methods for estimating ET because it incorporates various climatic factors, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation. The Penman-Monteith method is often recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other agricultural and environmental organizations for its robustness and accuracy. The Thornthwaite Method (TH): The TH method or The Thornwaite-Mather equation is a widely used technique to estimate potential evapotranspiration (PET), which represents the theoretical amount of water that would be evaporated and transpired from a given area, considering climate and vegetation factors. Developed by Charles W. Thornthwaite in 1948, the method primarily relies on temperature data and is known for its simplicity and applicability in various climatic regions. Additional Considerations The Thornthwaite method also includes an adjustment for the length of daylight hours, as evapotranspiration rates vary with day length. The method has limitations in that it relies heavily on temperature, without accounting for other factors like humidity, wind, and solar radiation. Despite this, it has been widely used due to its simplicity and reasonable accuracy for estimating PET in many climatic scenarios. The Blaney-Criddle Method (BC): The BC method is a traditional approach used to estimate evapotranspiration (ET), specifically in the context of agricultural water planning and irrigation. This method is known for its simplicity and relies on temperature and the percentage of annual daylight hours during the growing season. Modifications of the Blaney-Criddle method, such as incorporating additional climatic variables or using regional calibration, can improve accuracy. The Priestley-Taylor Method (PT): The PT method is a simplified approach to estimate potential evapotranspiration (PET) or reference evapotranspiration (ET₀), derived from the Penman-Monteith method. It is primarily used when detailed meteorological data (like wind speed and humidity) are unavailable or when a simplified estimation approach is desired. Developed by C.H.B. Priestley and R.J. Taylor in 1972, the method eliminates the need for wind speed and humidity data by making an assumption about the ratio between actual evapotranspiration and the available energy. This ratio is represented by an empirical constant, alpha (𝛼 α ), simplifying the calculation of PET. The Hargreaves Method (HA): The HA method is temperature-based and takes into account solar radiation in a 24 hour period. The Abtew Method (AB): The AB method or the radiative Abtew model The Hargreaves method is a simplified empirical approach to estimate reference evapotranspiration (ET₀), commonly used in agricultural planning and water resource management. It is particularly useful when detailed meteorological data required by more complex methods like the Penman-Monteith are not available. The Hargreaves method relies primarily on temperature data and incorporates the daily temperature range to estimate ET₀. Eddy covariance technique: The Eddy Covariance also known as eddy correlation or eddy flux, is a method used to measure and analyze vertical fluxes of gases, heat, and momentum in the atmosphere. This technique is commonly used in atmospheric sciences, ecology, and meteorology to study the exchange of carbon dioxide (CO₂), water vapor, methane (CH₄), and other trace gases between the surface and the atmosphere. It is often used in micro-climates. As you can see there are multiple ways to calculate evapotranspiration. You might use any one of these methods, try a calculator, or all of the above to help you meet the irrigation needs of your farm. As we're discussing precision agriculture here, let's talk about soil moisture monitoring next. Soil Moisture Monitoring: Soil monitoring plays a crucial role in agriculture, landscaping, and environmental studies by providing valuable data on soil conditions. This is done through the use of sensors. These sensors help in optimizing irrigation, managing soil health, and ensuring sustainable farming practices. There are many types of sensors that you can opt to have on your farm. Here are some types of sensors and their uses. Soil Moisture Sensors Capacitance Sensors : These sensors measure the change in capacitance caused by variations in soil moisture. (Capacitance is a method of measuring the amount of water in soil through its capacity to transmit electromagnetic waves or pulses). This is commonly used in agricultural applications due to their fast response and cost-effectiveness. Tensiometers : These sensors measure soil water tension or matric potential, which means they indicate how much energy plants need to extract water from the soil. Often they are used to determine irrigation needs and to monitor plant stress levels. Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR) Sensors : TDR sensors measure the dielectric constant of soil, which is related to moisture content in the soil. They are known for their high accuracy and versatility in various soil types. Frequency-Domain Reflectometry (FDR) Sensors : Similar to TDR sensors, but FDR uses high-frequency signals to measure soil moisture. These are often used in precision agriculture and research due to their accuracy. Soil Temperature Sensors Thermocouples : These consist of two different metals that produce a voltage proportional to temperature. They are used to monitor soil temperature, which can impact plant growth and nutrient uptake. Thermistors : Is a type of resistance thermometer that is temperature-dependent resistance to measure soil temperature. These are commonly used due to their sensitivity and range of applications. They are made with metallic oxides. Soil Nutrient Sensors Ion-Selective Electrodes (ISEs) : Measure specific ions, such as nitrate, potassium, or phosphate, in the soil. They are useful for monitoring nutrient levels and guiding fertilization practices. Electrical Conductivity Sensors : Measure the conductivity of soil, which is influenced by the concentration of dissolved salts and nutrients. Often used to assess soil salinity and guide fertilization and irrigation. Soil pH Sensors Glass Electrode pH Sensors : Measure soil acidity or alkalinity by detecting hydrogen ion activity. They are useful for determining soil pH and guiding soil amendment practices. Solid-State pH Sensors : More durable than glass electrodes, these sensors are used for long-term monitoring in harsh conditions. Soil Gas Sensors Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Sensors : Measure CO2 levels in the soil, which can indicate soil respiration and microbial activity. They are useful for assessing soil health and decomposition rates. Oxygen Sensors : Measure oxygen levels in the soil, indicating soil aeration and drainage. Important for monitoring conditions that affect root growth and soil organisms. Soil Structure Sensors Penetrometers : Measure soil compaction and resistance to penetration. They are used to assess soil structure and determine the need for soil aeration or tillage. TDR and FDR Probes : Apart from measuring moisture, these probes can also provide information on soil density and structure. Lysimeters: Lysimeters are not sensors themselves but are devices used to measure the amount of water that permeates through  the soil and the dissolved substances carried with it. The use of lysimeters in agriculture has brought much more information to soil science, agricultural research, and hydro and environmental studies. It records the amount of precipitation in an area and the amount lost through the soil. This measurement is crucial for understanding processes like evapotranspiration, leaching, and water movement within soil profiles. Weighing Lysimeters : These lysimeters are designed to measure changes in weight over time, allowing researchers to quantify water loss through evapotranspiration. They usually consist of a container filled with soil and plants, placed on a scale or load cells to measure weight changes due to water loss and gains through precipitation or irrigation. Drainage Lysimeters : These lysimeters are designed to collect and measure the quantity and quality of water that drains through the soil profile. They often consist of a container or a designated plot with a collection system at the bottom to capture percolating water. The collected water can then be analyzed for dissolved substances, such as nutrients, pollutants, or other chemicals. Now that we've gone over calculations and sensors you might use to help give you specific data about your soil, and water use, let's talk about irrigation best practices. Best Practices for Managing Irrigation and Water Needs on Your Farm Irrigation best practices can be any set of techniques, technologies, and management strategies that aim to optimize water use in agriculture while promoting sustainability, crop health, and resource efficiency. Implementing these practices can increase crop yield, reduce water waste, and minimize environmental impacts. We will break down some of the things you may want to take into account when creating your irrigation plan. 1. Assess Water Needs and Crop Requirements Evaluate Your Soil : It's important to understand the characteristics of your soil . Different soils can hold varying amounts of water and can affect water retention and drainage. Evaluate the Needs of Your Crops: Understanding the specific water needs of your crops is vital and is where the calculations above can help. Different crops require varying amounts of water and climate factors like temperature, rainfall, humidity, and wind all go into planning irrigation schedules. 2. Choose the Right Irrigation System Choosing the right farm irrigation system is another important step in your operation. You will want to take into account a few things like the type of crop, your budget, the size of your farm, and more. What is the Right Irrigation System : Select a system that suits your farm's layout, crop types, and water availability. Common systems include drip irrigation, sprinklers, center pivots, and furrow irrigation. Let's get into specifics. Drip Irrigation : Ideal for precise watering at the plant's root zone, minimizing evaporation and runoff. It’s suitable for various crops, including fruits, vegetables, and trees. Drip irrigation is typically the most efficient, providing water directly to the root zone with minimal evaporation. These hoses are usually prefilled with holes and ideally, you would plug the spots that a plant is not. Sprinkler Irrigation : Effective for broad coverage but may be subject to wind and evaporation losses. This is commonly used for field crops and lawns. Some types of plants are prone to leaf issues with this type of irrigation. Center Pivot and Linear Move Systems : Useful for large-scale field irrigation, providing uniform water distribution over large areas. This can be pricey for the setup. Surface Irrigation : Also known as flood irrigation, which includes furrow and basin irrigation and is generally used for row crops. It can be less efficient due to runoff and uneven distribution. As we've mentioned it's important to take many of these types of irrigation options into account before making a choice. See more about these types of irrigation below. 3. Implement Advanced Irrigation Technologies If you have the means you might want to look into some advanced irrigation options. Here are a few options to look into. Smart Controllers : Use weather-based or soil moisture-based controllers to adjust irrigation schedules automatically based on current conditions. Soil Moisture Sensors : These sensors monitor soil moisture levels, helping to ensure that irrigation occurs only when necessary, reducing over-irrigation. Weather-Based Systems : You might incorporate weather data to adjust irrigation based on rainfall, temperature, and other climatic factors. There are more and more weather monitoring systems popping up as the climate changes. We find clients like to monitor their mico-climate with these. Remote Monitoring and Control : Allows farmers to monitor and control irrigation systems remotely, enhancing flexibility and responsiveness. 4. Optimize Irrigation Schedules Based on timely measurements or estimations of soil moisture content and crop water needs, proper irrigation scheduling is one of the best irrigation management practices. Irrigation scheduling is a generic term for scheduling the time and amount of water applied to a crop based on the amount of water present in the crop root zone, the amount of water needed by the crop, and other factors such as salt leaching requirements, etc. Irrigation scheduling is essential to reduce water wastage or apply insufficient water. Incorrect irrigation has two consequences, either stunted growth or water wastage. Effective irrigation scheduling will conserve labor, resources, and plant nutrients and you'll need to consider the following essential parameters when preparing an irrigation schedule. Optimal Timing : Irrigate during the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation losses. Avoid midday irrigation when the sun is strongest or during windy weather. Irrigation Frequency and Duration : Adjust based on soil type, crop stage, and weather conditions. Aim for deep, infrequent irrigation to encourage strong root growth. Adjust irrigation frequency and volume according to the growth stage of each crop. Provide more water during critical growth periods, such as flowering or fruiting, and less during dormancy or after harvest. Water Budgeting : Calculate and adhere to a water budget based on crop water needs and available water resources. Implement mulching to reduce evaporation and improve soil moisture retention. Consider using cover crops to improve soil health and reduce water needs. Understanding Your Weather: Micro-climates force us to adjust irrigation schedules due to weather changes in our area. These micro-climates make the weather of our properties localized. Your climate may differ from your neighbor who has a lot of tree cover. 5. Implement Water Conservation Practices There is much that can be done to conserve water. Determining irrigation water use is essential as it informs the farmer of the amount of irrigated water, helping you see the irrigation system's performance. You can measure it directly using a meter or a periodic manual measurement. Or measure indirectly by determining energy, irrigation water pressure, and more. This practice will help you know the cost associated with water use and will trigger the need to integrate water conservation measures to reduce the cost. Also, it will help you understand when the irrigation appliances are not functioning correctly. Mulching : Apply mulch to retain soil moisture and reduce evaporation. Cover Crops : Use cover crops to protect soil, reduce erosion, and retain moisture. Rainwater Harvesting : Collect and store rainwater for irrigation to reduce dependency on external water sources. (This may not be available in all areas of the country so check your area.) Use Reclaimed Water : If available and safe, reclaimed or recycled water can supplement irrigation. 6. Regular Maintenance and Monitoring You need to know the total water used in on-farm irrigation and identify opportunities to improve water use efficiency. The water audit will gather information about field size and shape, obstructions, topography, flood vulnerability, type of equipment, and costs. An on-farm irrigation audit will help you improve the system's efficiency and reduce costs. System Maintenance : Regularly check irrigation systems for leaks, clogs, or other issues that could affect efficiency. Calibration : Ensure that sensors and controllers are properly calibrated to provide accurate data for your farm. You will want to do this each season. Monitor Water Use : Track water use to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. 7. Sustainable Practices and Regulations New technologies and sustainable practices will be more available as we research and continue to make progress in agriculture. Follow Local Water Regulations : In some parts of the U.S., there are water restrictions. It's important to understand your local water use regulations and restrictions. Education and Training : Keeping up to date with new technologies and continuously educating yourself and your team on best practices, new technologies, and sustainable irrigation methods will help you understand how to improve your farm. It doesn't mean that you will always use those methods right away. But they are interesting to learn about and keep in mind for the future. These best practices are the basics and by implementing some or all of these practices, farmers and agricultural managers can achieve efficient irrigation that supports crop health, conserves water, and promotes environmental sustainability. There are more ways to improve the ability of your soil to hold moisture, that is through no-till or low-till techniques. Conservation Tillage (No-Till) and Crop Residue Management Tilling has been a conventional practice of farming for many years. It can be hard on the land so conservation tillage practices like low-till or no-till methods are being used more and more on farms. These techniques improve the ability of the soil to hold moisture and reduce the amount of water that runs off from the field. Also, it reduces the amount of water evaporation from the soil surface. However, not all irrigation systems can incorporate conservation tillage. Surface irrigation systems such as furrow irrigation will not achieve their maximum possible efficiency and application uniformity as residue can obstruct water flow and prevent water from passing through it. The benefits of no-till will vary with climate and irrigation method practiced, such as; Land leveling : Land leveling is a system based on topographic surveys, and it's used to increase uniformity with which water is applied to an irrigated field. If you have more than one irrigation method or crop, leveling should be according to the most restrictive method and yield. You can level a farm that has never been graded or ground before preparing seed beds. Land leveling helps in nutrient retention as it reduces runoffs. You can use a laser-controlled scraper pulled by a tractor for better leveling. The laser has a predetermined cross, runs slopes, and automatically adjusts the cut of filled land over the plane of the field. Furrow dikes: Furrow dikes are a system where small earthen dams are constructed at intervals along the furrows to reduce runoff from the soil surface and increase water infiltration. It's a technique in which water is applied to the field to form a water layer that infiltrates the soil. Its use is limited to gently sloppy land. Still, it is primarily used in areas for row crops to capture rainfall, reduce runoff, and improve the uniformity of low-pressure sprinkler irrigation systems. They are typically installed when the crop bed is prepared before planting or after planting but before the crop height could reach one that installing dikes could cause damage. You can remove furrow dikes if the increase in moisture is causing adverse effects on production or harvesting. Drip irrigation: Drip irrigation is the slow application of water directly to the plant root zone using particular delivery items. It is advantageous as it leads to uniformity, preservation of soil structure, reduction in evaporation, better water control, and nutrients reaching the plant. The use of a drip system is not primarily to reduce water wastage but to increase crop yield and quality. In this application, you might want to consider a situation where natural precipitation or stored soil water is insufficient for germination so you can ensure the system can provide sufficient water to germinate the seed. Also, you'll need to maintain and monitor issues regarding clogging and back flushing of emitters, monitor application pressure, and replace the equipment. You can inject cleaning agents depending on the drip irrigation system specification. For instance, if you're using ditch water you might have a lot of silt that builds up, and drip irrigation might not be the best option. Linear move sprinkler irrigation system: The system contains a series of towers that suspend the irrigation system and irrigate along the rows of your farm. Usually, they're supplied by water from a source adjacent to the first tower and parallel to the direction of the move by a flexible hose that, in turn, provides water through a series of risers connected to a buried pipeline. This can also be managed through hoses or other means. This type of system is ideal where a center pivot irrigation may not be available due to the shape of the field, elevation, or the farm layout. It works with many areas and soil types as well as a wide variety of crops. You can use low-pressure and high-pressure systems, but the best practice for irrigation recommends low-pressure because they have a higher water application efficiency than high-pressure systems. Also, you can convert high or medium-pressure designs to low-pressure to achieve better results. Other Conservation Best Practices for Irrigation Include; Place plant species and pot sizes with similar water needs in the same watering zone. Ensure each watering zone has spray emitters with similar flow rates to maintain uniformity. Make system upgrades and improvements, and repair the system equipment. Ensure that appropriate filtration is used, regularly clean filters, and flush and unclog the emitters. Use an on/off valve to prevent runoff while hand watering. Consolidate plants and turn off irrigation in unused portions to avoid wastage. Avoid irrigating outdoors in windy seasons. Regularly change the irrigation schedules to reflect changes in weather, crop needs, or soil moisture values. Use suitable and uniform nozzle sizes and sprinkler heads with a high uniformity rating. Consider converting to an irrigation system with high potential uniformity if irrigation uniformity remains an issue after several improvements. Final Thoughts on Irrigation Management Learning about the best irrigation is essential for all crop farmers. The goal of effective irrigation management practices is to efficiently and effectively utilize your water resources. Applying smart irrigation techniques and conservation practices will help prevent water contamination, improve management practices, and will be beneficial to the farm overall. Your farm can optimize its irrigation management, leading to improved crop yields, reduced water usage, and enhanced sustainability. If you'd like more information about how our farm Management Software, Farmbrite might help your farm give us a try for free for 14 days. References: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/optimum-use-of-water-for-industry-and-agricultural-dependent-on-direct-abstraction    https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/sources-and-solutions-agriculture     https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/irrigation-an-important-tool-for-increasing-profits-managing-risk-and-utilizing-applied-nutrients   https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/197955   Irrigation Systems   https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/characteristics-of-different-soils

Selecting the right type of hay for your livestock is a critical decision that can significantly impact their health, growth, and productivity. There isn't a one-size-fits-all when growing hay. and the decision of which type of hay to grow is unique to each farm operation. The factors that go into this depend on the type of livestock you raise, how much land you have to graze, what types of hay grow best in your region, whether you will store the hay, will you have access to machinery to process the hay. We've added information about different types of hay, the nutrients in hay, and the needs of different types of livestock. We hope this helps you better understand all the options and what you might want to grow on your farm. The Nutrients of Hay Like any other plant hay inherently has different vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Different species of hay offer more or less of these nutrients. Each species of livestock has different nutritional needs and different types of hay can provide that nutrition for them. Getting this right will help them gain weight faster or keep them at an optimal weight, and help keep them well. All animals need water, protein, energy, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to live and thrive. Protein Protein is an essential building block for all animals to maintain their health, growth, and productivity. It's necessary for many critical cell processes, functions, and overall growth. Ruminants like cattle, sheep, and goats have certain  protein needs for growth, reproduction, and milk production. Protein sources like alfalfa hay are often preferred for these animals. Other animals such as horses, need lower protein levels compared to ruminants but still require quality protein sources, such as legume hays or balanced concentrates. Carbohydrates, Energy, and Fiber The amount of energy contained in hay or forage is contained in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates fall into the two categories of structural carbohydrates or fibers that make up the plant such as cellulose and non-structural carbohydrates like sugars, starches, etc. The amount of energy livestock can break down and absorb into their system or the digestible energy is their caloric intake. This is the energy or calories they need and can use to maintain weight, gain weight, produce milk, or work. Fiber or structural carbohydrates are needed to slow the passage of food through the digestive tract and metabolize energy by breaking it down. It also provides a population of microorganisms that produce enzymes, energy, and fatty acids necessary for healthy digestion. Vitamins and Minerals Vitamins and minerals are essential for the health and productivity of livestock, playing a critical role in various physiological functions such as supporting immune system function, promoting proper growth and development, enhancing reproductive performance, and aiding in the efficient digestion and utilization of feed. There are two types of minerals; Macrominerals like calcium, phosphorous, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, potassium, and sulfur. These are required in slightly higher amounts compared to microminerals like iron, copper, molybdenum, manganese, zinc, cobalt, iodine, and selenium. Livestock will need various amounts of these nutrients so it's important to understand their needs before administering. Vitamins such as A, D, and E are vital for vision, and bone health, while minerals like calcium, copper, zinc, iron, phosphorus, and magnesium are crucial for bone development, the metabolism of energy, and muscle function. Deficiencies or imbalances in these nutrients can lead to health issues, reduced growth rates, poor reproductive outcomes, and decreased resistance to diseases. It's a good idea to ensure that livestock receive a balanced supply of these vitamins and minerals in their diet. Water Water is probably the most critical component to the health of your animals. Without this livestock cannot function. The amount of water needed varies by species, animal age, stage of life, available live forage, and environmental temperatures. The ideal moisture for hay is around 15%. Now that we've discussed what types of nutrients are in hay let's look more closely at the specific nutritional needs of the animals. Here are some general recommendations for different kinds of livestock. Nutritional Requirements of Hay Per Species Overall, Alfalfa hay is high in protein and calcium and is best for young, growing, lactating, or high-performance animals. Timothy hay has a good balance of nutrients and is suitable for most adult livestock. Orchard grass hay is soft as well as palatable and good for animals with respiratory issues or animals that are picky or need variety in their meals. Clover hay is overall a nutritious choice that can be cost-effective and similar to alfalfa but generally cheaper. However, each species of livestock has different nutritional needs. Getting this right will help them gain weight faster or keep them at an optimal weight, and help keep them in optimal health. We've added some suggestions below for different types of hay for different animals but it is always a good idea to check with your extension office or veterinarian to ensure that your animals are getting the nutrients they need. Cattle Alfalfa Hay:  High in protein and calcium, excellent for dairy cows and young, growing cattle. Timothy Hay: Lower in protein, suitable for adult beef cattle, and for maintaining body condition without excessive weight gain. Clover Hay:  Similar to alfalfa, but usually less expensive and still high in protein.|Information on reseeding your Horses Timothy Hay: A favorite for horses, offering a good balance of protein and fiber. Orchard Grass Hay:  A soft, palatable hay that's good for horses with respiratory issues. Alfalfa Hay:  High in protein and calcium, great for growing foals, lactating mares, and performance horses, but should be fed in moderation to adult horses to avoid excess weight gain. Goats Alfalfa Hay : High in protein and calcium, excellent for lactating does and young goats. Timothy or Bermuda Grass Hay:  Suitable for adult goats, providing adequate fiber without too much protein. Sheep Timothy Hay:  Good balance of nutrients and fiber, suitable for maintaining body condition. Orchard Grass Hay:  Similar to Timothy, but softer and more palatable. Clover or Mixed Grass Hay: Provides variety and can be nutritious, but avoid high legume hays like alfalfa for mature sheep to prevent urinary calculi. Other animals Many other types of animals also eat hay as a main staple of their diets. While we can't add every animal in this article we wanted to add a few popular ones like Camels  and rabbits  which are two popular breeds of animals that require specific types of nutrients regarding hay intake. It can be detrimental to their longevity and health to eat the wrong kinds. Factors To Consider When Growing Hay on Your Farm Choosing the right hay to grow on your farm and for your livestock involves several key considerations to ensure the hay you're growing meets the nutritional needs of your livestock, fits the environmental conditions of your region, and aligns with your farming practices. As you consider this make sure to tailor the specific needs of your livestock, considering factors like age, reproductive status, and activity level. Always ensure hay is free of mold and contaminants to maintain animal health. 1. Nutritional Needs of Your Livestock: The most important factor in choosing hay for your farm may be this one thing, the nutritional needs of your livestock . Match the hay you grow to the specific dietary requirements of your livestock. Some animals need less protein for instance, because they are being raised for different purposes. Being aware of these needs will ensure the optimal health of your livestock. 2. Livestock Growth Stages: Animals will need different nutrients during different times of their life and stages of growth (e.g., young, pregnant, lactating). Also, animals will have differing dietary needs per species. It's important to grow the types of hay that your animals need (or supplement for them) as they mature and grow. Another aspect of this is knowing how much hay you will need to support your animals throughout the year. To understand your needs you can use this hay estimating calculator . 3. Grow It Well: Choose a type of hay that is easily grown in your region. There are types of hay that grow better in cool weather and also ones that have adapted to grow in warmer weather. It's important to understand your USDA hardiness zone and how the seed will germinate, grow, and reproduce in your area. Understanding your soil (loamy, clay, etc), the PH, and the other trace nutrients that are available in your soil is vital to growing healthy crops. It is advisable to understand your soil and know the PH. Plants will grow better with the correct PH. 4. Growth and Yield: Many types of grass are perennials and have regrowth ability. The hay that you grow can be a sustainable source of feed for your livestock. This means that you may get a second, third, or more cutting(s) of your hay. You can then store the hay cutting or sell it if you have extra. Be sure not to over-harvest and give enough time for your crop to regrow. Alternatively, if you are using rotational  grazing  methods the plants your livestock consume today will regrow if given time by moving them to a different area to graze. This method is beneficial for the long-term health of your pasture and ensures that the pasture isn't overgrazed. Another factor you may want to consider is drought and heat . Unfortunately, extreme weather is becoming more and more common and will negatively affect the growth of your hay crop. So, it's something to take into consideration as you plant hay. 5. Pests and Diseases: When you are choosing a type of hay to plant on your farm it's important to know the downside as well. Crops can attract unwanted pests that will also eat the crop. Know the types of pests different types of grasses might attract and manage for them or grow pest resistance types. 6. Compatibility With Other Crops: Some hay crops, like clover, can improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, making them good choices for crop rotation systems. Combining different hay types, such as grass-legume mixes, can enhance forage quality and yield. 7. Market Demand : You might also choose to sell your surplus hay. Choose hay types that have strong demand in your local market to ensure you can sell any extra. Some customers can tell you the amount they need to overwinter. This can become another income stream for your farm. You can use a Farm Management System like Farmbrite to keep track of your inventory, the hay you have on hand when it was processed, and how much you made from your sales. 8. Costs: Consider the costs of seeds, fertilizers, and any additional inputs required for growing and harvesting the hay. Different hay types may require varying levels of management and labor. You might also want to consider your available labor resources and equipment. You may be able to share costs with another farmer, rent equipment, or pay for your field to be cut. These all have costs associated with them so it's important for you to weigh those with potential sales. 9. Harvest and Storage: Ensure you have the necessary equipment for harvesting as well as a place to store the hay. Proper storage will prevent spoilage and maintain quality. You can use a farm record-keeping software like Farmbrite to keep track of how much hay you have on hand and what date you will run out. Selecting the right hay can significantly impact the health and productivity of your livestock, so it's important to consider all these factors when making your choice. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can select the most suitable hay type for your farm, ensuring it meets both your livestock's nutritional needs and your operational capabilities. Types of Hay to Consider Growing on Your Farm There isn't a one-size-fits-all when growing hay. Selecting the right type of hay for your livestock is a critical decision that can significantly impact their health, growth, and productivity and this can be unique to each farm operation. Hay is a primary source of nutrition for many animals, providing essential fibers, proteins, and other nutrients. Different types of hay offer unique benefits and nutritional profiles, making some more suitable for certain livestock and specific stages of their growth or production cycles. Understanding the characteristics and best uses of various hay types can help you make informed choices that optimize the well-being of your animals and the efficiency of your farming operations. This guide will explore the most common types of hay grown, detailing their advantages and ideal applications to aid you in selecting the best forage for your livestock. Choosing the right type of hay for your livestock is crucial for their health and productivity. Here are some common types of hay and growing considerations for each type. 1. Alfalfa Hay Alfalfa is a perennial legume that's high in protein, calcium, vitamins, and fiber. It is grown in many different areas throughout the world. It is known to be a top choice to grow in grazing areas, for hay, silage, and green manure or cover crops. This is one of the highest quality feeds for livestock as well as a cash crop. It is especially good for pregnant or lactating animals, and work animals. Nutrient Content : High in protein and calcium. Suitable For : Dairy cattle, young animals, horses (with moderation due to high calcium), and other high-performance livestock. Growing needs:  It requires deep, well-drained soils. Considerations : Can be too rich for some animals, leading to digestive issues if not balanced properly. 2. Timothy Hay A type of perennial grass. It has a balanced nutritional composition of high fiber, and low protein, and contains nutrients like calcium, and phosphorus that makes it more easily digestible by livestock. Nutrient Content : Lower in protein compared to alfalfa but higher in fiber. Suitable For : Horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, and livestock that require high fiber and lower protein. Cool Season Crop:  Plant in the fall of the year before to get established. Considerations : Good for maintaining digestive health; often mixed with other hays. 3. Bermuda Grass Hay Bermuda Grass is considered a medium-quality forage. It is a deep-rooted, high-quality forage for various livestock. It has moderate protein but provides other nutrient content. One of the clearest advantages to growing this hay is that it can be bailed at more convenient times, offers nutrition for grazing cows and calves when they might need it most, and withstands heat in the summer months. Nutrient Content : Moderate in protein and fiber. Suitable For : Horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. Warm Climates:  Not suited for colder climates Grazing: Grazing height needs to be no lower than 3-4 inches. Considerations : Soft texture, generally well-liked by animals. 4. Orchard Grass Hay Orchard grass is highly versatile and widely valued in livestock management due to its excellent nutritional profile and palatability. It is best used as hay or pasture for a variety of animals, including horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. Its high fiber content and moderate protein levels make it ideal for maintaining digestive health and supporting steady growth and productivity in livestock. Orchard grass is also well-suited for mixed hay production, where it can be combined with legumes like clover or alfalfa to enhance the overall nutrient balance. Additionally, its resilience to frequent grazing and ability to thrive in cooler climates make it a reliable forage option for sustainable pasture management. Nutrient Content : Moderate protein and fiber levels. Suitable For : Horses, cattle, goats, and sheep. PH:  Prefers well-drained, loamy soils with a PH of 5.8 to 7.0 Considerations : Often preferred due to its softness and palatability. 5. Clover Hay Clover hay is highly regarded for its rich nutritional content, particularly its high protein and calcium levels, making it an excellent feed choice for dairy cattle, young animals, and other high-performance livestock. It is often used to supplement diets that require additional protein, supporting milk production, growth, and overall health. Clover hay is also beneficial when mixed with grass hays, such as orchard grass or timothy, to create a balanced forage that enhances the palatability and nutrient profile of the feed. Additionally, clover hay can improve soil fertility when grown in rotation with other crops, as it fixes nitrogen in the soil, promoting sustainable farming practices. Its versatility and nutritional benefits make clover hay a valuable component in the diets of a wide range of livestock. Nutrient Content : High in protein, similar to alfalfa. Suitable For : Dairy cattle, growing animals, and other high-performance livestock. Protein:  High Protein Content Considerations : Can be mixed with grass hays to balance the diet. 6. Fescue Hay Fescue hay is a versatile and durable forage option, best suited for beef cattle, horses, sheep, and goats due to its moderate protein and fiber content. It thrives in a variety of soil types and can withstand harsh weather conditions, making it a reliable choice for regions with challenging climates. Fescue hay is particularly advantageous for grazing systems, as it maintains its nutritional value and palatability even under frequent grazing. It is also a good option for hay production, providing a steady supply of forage throughout the growing season. However, it is important to use endophyte-free or novel endophyte fescue varieties to avoid potential health issues in livestock, such as fescue toxicosis. Overall, fescue hay's resilience and adaptability make it a valuable feed resource in diverse livestock management systems. Nutrient Content : Moderate protein and fiber levels. Suitable For : Beef cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. Grazing:  Good for rotational grazing and Hay production. Considerations : Endophyte-infected fescue can cause health issues, so choose endophyte-free varieties. 7. Ryegrass Hay Ryegrass hay is prized for its high energy content and moderate protein levels, making it an excellent feed choice for dairy cattle, sheep, and goats, particularly during lactation and growth phases. Its palatability ensures high intake rates, which can lead to improved weight gain and milk production. This type of grass is also beneficial when used in rotational grazing systems, as it establishes quickly and recovers well after grazing, providing a consistent forage supply. Its lush, high moisture content makes it ideal for silage production, ensuring a high-quality feed during the winter months. Due to its adaptability to various soil types and climates, ryegrass hay is a versatile and valuable component in the forage repertoire of many livestock operations. Nutrient Content : High in sugars and moderate in protein. Suitable For : Dairy cattle, sheep, and goats. Grazing:  Good for rotational grazing Considerations : Can be lush and high in moisture; best mixed with drier hays. 8. Oat Hay Oat hay is a versatile and nutritious forage option, particularly well-suited for horses, cattle, and sheep. Its high fiber content and moderate protein levels make it an excellent choice for maintaining digestive health and providing a balanced diet. Oat hay is especially beneficial for young, growing animals and lactating females due to its nutrient profile. It is a valuable supplement during the winter months when fresh pasture is limited. Harvested at the milky to dough stage, oat hay retains a high nutritional value and palatability, ensuring livestock readily consume it. Its adaptability to different climates and soil types makes oat hay a reliable and sustainable forage crop for diverse agricultural settings. Nutrient Content : Variable, but generally moderate in protein and high in fiber. Suitable For : Horses, cattle, and sheep. Grazing:  Good for pasture grazing in the winter Considerations : Best harvested before oats fully mature to maintain palatability. There are many things to consider as you transition to growing hay on your farm; The needs of your current livestock and the ones you are thinking of purchasing in the future, your land and soil, the resources you have available to produce the hay, how you'll store it, how you'll manage it's consumption, and who you might sell it to. I hope we've been able to give you some information to get you headed in the right direction to support your livestock's nutritional needs on your farm by growing your hay for yourself. Happy Farming from the team here at Farmbrite! Vitamin Supplementation for Beef What Nutrients are in Grass Free Cattle Record Book A Beginner Guide to Selecting Hay Understanding Hay Analysis Rumen Microorganisms

Occasionally as farmers and business owners, we need to find financing to support or grow our businesses. We might use that money to purchase land, buy equipment, or livestock. The agricultural industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving sector that is no stranger to change. Often agricultural lenders find themselves facing a unique set of challenges and opportunities when trying to offer financial help to farmers. In this blog post, we'll explore what financing looks like for both lenders and agricultural producers and the steps to help you as a farmer find financing and other funding for your farm. Types of Agricultural Financing for Farmers Farm financing comes in various forms to support agricultural operations. Each one is tailored to meet specific needs within that business. The main types include traditional bank loans, which offer long-term and short-term financing for land purchases, equipment, and operational costs. Government-backed loans, such as those from the USDA, provide favorable terms for farmers who may not qualify for conventional loans. Additionally, microloans cater to small-scale farmers, offering more accessible funding for startup or expansion purposes. Lease agreements, are often for equipment or land and allow farmers to access necessary resources without large upfront costs. Lastly, grants and subsidies are available, particularly for sustainable farming practices, helping to reduce the financial burdens of farmers. Below we've listed some of the options on the market and who they are structured for. Agribusiness Loans These loans are designed for larger agricultural businesses and can be used for a variety of needs, such as expanding facilities or buying bulk supplies. Agri-Real Estate Loans These loans allow borrowers to use the value of their land as collateral. Ag Equity Line of Credit (AELOC) This line of credit is secured by the equity in the farmland rather than your inventory. They can be less scrutinized by lenders. Equipment Loans These loans can be used to purchase new or used farm equipment, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems Farm Improvement Loans This type of farm loan is for improving or upgrading existing farm structures or systems. Farm Ownership Loans There are a few different types of farm ownership loans ; They are regular, joint financing, down payment depending upon individual needs, or a  Direct Farm Ownership Microloan  for smaller financial needs.  Farm Storage Facility Loans Farm Storage Facility Loans (FSFL) are provided to encourage the construction of on-farm storage and handling facilities for eligible commodities. Fisheries Finance Program The Fisheries Finance Program (FFP) is a direct government loan program that provides long-term financing for the cost of construction or reconstruction of fishing vessels, fisheries facilities, aquacultural facilities, and individual fishing quota in the Northwest Halibut/Sablefish and Alaskan Crab Fisheries. Operating Loans These loans can cover daily expenses like seeds, fertilizer, livestock feed, and family living expenses. They can also be used to purchase equipment and livestock. Real Estate Land Loans These loans can be used to purchase farmland or invest in property improvements. Specialized Government Assistance Loan Programs These programs typically offer lower interest rates and longer repayment terms than other types of loans. There are many different types of loans to look into. Different lenders may offer more financing options as well. One size does not fit all in these situations. You can find more information on many different programs here . Farm Grants There are also many grants available for which you can apply. Here are a few sites where you can look for grants for your farm. USDA Grants   Grants.gov   Steps To Farm Funding Navigating agricultural lending as a farmer involves understanding the various financing options available, assessing your needs, and managing risks to ensure that you can repay the loan. This can be a bit overwhelming at times. Here are some key steps and strategies you can take to help you successfully navigate this process and hopefully make this a less overwhelming process. 1. Understand Your Financing Needs Assess Your Financial Requirements:  Determine the specific needs for which you require financing, such as purchasing equipment, seeds, fertilizers, or expanding your farm. With any business venture, it is prudent to go slow with how much you finance and with whom you secure financing from. Create a Budget:  Develop a detailed budget that outlines your projected expenses and income. This will help you determine the amount of loan you need. There are a ton of online budgets or you could use software like Farmbrite to help you with this. Evaluate the Loan Purpose:  Decide whether you need a short-term loan for operational costs (e.g., seeds, labor) or a long-term loan for investments (e.g., equipment, land). This will also help you decide which lender to go to. 2. Research and Select the Right Lender and Program Identify Potential Lenders:  Research different types of lenders, including commercial banks, credit unions, cooperatives, and government programs. Compare Loan Terms:  Look at the interest rates, repayment terms, collateral requirements, and fees offered by different lenders. Choose a lender with terms that align with your financial situation. Consider Specialized Agricultural Lenders:  Some lenders specialize in agricultural loans and may offer more favorable terms or better understand the unique challenges of farming. Consider All Your Options: Asses whether a farm loan is right for you. You may have other options which could be things like; cutting costs on your farm, finding financing with your friends and family, or boot-strapping. 3. Prepare Your Loan Application Gather Necessary Documentation:  Prepare key documents such as your business plan, financial statements, tax returns, and proof of collateral (e.g., land titles, and equipment). Develop a Strong Business Plan:  A well-detailed business plan should outline your farming operation, market analysis, financial projections, and how you plan to use the loan. Lenders will assess this plan to evaluate your loan application. Show Your Creditworthiness:  Ensure your credit score is in good standing. If possible, pay off existing debts to improve your credit profile before applying for a loan. 4. Manage Risks Effectively Diversify Your Crops and Income Sources:  Diversification reduces the impact of crop failure or market price fluctuations on your overall income. Consider Crop Insurance:   Crop insurance can protect against natural disasters and market risks. This can also reassure lenders of your ability to repay the loan. It's not for everyone though so do your research . There is debate about how farm insurance impacts farmers over the long run. Monitor Cash Flow:  Keep track of your income and expenses closely to ensure you have enough cash flow to meet your loan repayment obligations. Use Technology:  Implement modern farming technology to improve efficiency and yields. This can increase your profitability and make loan repayment easier. 5. Understand Loan Repayment Terms Flexible Repayment Options:  Look for loans with repayment schedules that align with your farming cycles. For example, if your income is seasonal, ensure your repayments are structured around harvest times. Interest Rates:  Be aware of the interest rate structure (fixed vs. variable, etc.) and how it will affect your long-term financial commitments. Penalties and Fees:  Understand the penalties for late payments and any additional fees associated with the loan. Make sure these costs are manageable. 6. Build a Relationship with Your Lender Open Communication:  As hard as it may be you might want to maintain regular communication with your lender. Inform them about any challenges you’re facing and discuss possible solutions. This can give them a heads-up about any trouble you anticipate in making repayments. On the flip side, when things are going well in your operation, if you let them know that then you have an advantage in renewing a line of credit. Seek Advice:  Don’t hesitate to ask your lender for advice on financial management or additional support programs that might be available to you. It's in their best interest to help you. 7. Explore Alternative Financing Options Government Programs:  Look into government-backed loan programs, grants, or subsidies that may offer more favorable terms. Cooperatives and Peer Lending:  Joining a farming cooperative (many producers coming together) or using peer-to-peer lending platforms (connecting borrowers to outside financial groups), can sometimes provide more flexible and lower-cost financing options. There is a lot of weight in those decisions so go slowly and do what feels comfortable for you. Leasing vs. Buying:  Consider leasing equipment or land instead of purchasing it right away. This can reduce upfront costs and financial burdens at the start. Then you can expand as your business grows. 8. Stay Informed and Adapt Keep Up with Market Trends:  Stay informed about market conditions, changing prices, and agricultural policies that may affect your business. These can be found on many different agricultural news sites . Continuous Learning:  Attend workshops, training programs, or seminars related to agricultural finance and farm management to improve your knowledge and skills. Use farm management software to give you the good the bad and day-to-day needs and insights of your farm operation. 9. Plan for Contingencies Emergency Fund:  Build an emergency fund to cover unexpected costs or income shortfalls, ensuring that you can meet loan repayments even in difficult times. For most businesses, this is 3-6 months. You don't have to have this all at once but it is good to have a little cushion just in case. Exit Strategy:  Have an exit strategy in place in case the farming operation doesn’t go as planned. This could involve selling assets or restructuring the business to minimize losses. The unpleasant reality of business is that sometimes it doesn't work out. Start with how you're going to succeed but also have a backup plan. Tips To Find Agricultural Financing The lending landscape is vast. There are lenders, financial advisors, and programs for every type of agricultural activity. Since there are so many we have a few tips to help you in the process. Tip 1: Do Your Research:   It's important to go into this process informed. Know what types of programs are available, who offers them, how much they might charge, what the terms of repayment are, etc. You may find that by doing this research you find a lender you want to work with or a grant you want to apply for. Alternatively, you might hire someone to find the right loan for you. But if you don't want to work with a financial advisor that is perfectly fine. You can search for many types of loans through different financial institutions through apps or online through lender websites. There are government loans and small business loans as well. Some types of loans you might want to look into are; FSA loans, operating loans, farm ownership loans, microloans, emergency loans, and the others we discussed above. You can find more information on many different programs here . You can also explore other agencies that finance agriculture and food businesses, such as the Small Business Administration (SBA). You can visit a local bank or lending institution that participates in SBA programs, or use a lender match app to connect with participating lenders. Tip 2: Find a Partner: Finding the right financing program is not a decision you want to take lightly. With the multitude of lenders out there, it's important to do your research. You can find programs on your own or you can enlist a financial advisor. If you decide to find a financial advisor it's important that you trust them and they have your best interest in mind. This is key to finding a financial advisor who can help you find a program that fits your operational model. You can start this process by asking for recommendations from fellow farmers, agricultural associations, or local farming cooperatives, as they often have connections with advisors who specialize in farm finances. Research online to find advisors who have experience in agricultural finance and look for certifications like the Certified Agricultural Consultant (CAC) or Accredited Agricultural Consultant (AAC) or affiliations with organizations like the Farm Financial Standards Council . It's important to review the advisor's background, including their experience, client testimonials, and any potential conflicts of interest. Finally, schedule consultations with a few candidates to discuss your specific needs and assess their understanding of the agricultural industry before making your decision. Once you have found the right person to work with they will provide insight into the program(s) and financial institutions that might be best for you. Tip 3: Prepare For Meetings: When meeting with any financial advisor or loan officer it's a good idea to prepare for your meeting. Have an idea of your goals, have your business plan ready, and show good recordkeeping. You might want to bring your tax returns for the last three years, your last few pay stubs if you have off-farm income, and your most recent credit card statements. If you want a farm ownership loan, you may also need to bring a signed purchase option or contract to buy. There may be more information that you need for certain types of loans or lenders. You can bring some of these items or ask ahead of time what items will be needed for the meeting. Tip 4: Grants Might Be in Your Future: If you have a bit of time, writing skills, and organization there are grants available to apply for. They range from small business to very specific agricultural grants. Take some time to go through the sites below to see if you might qualify. USDA Grants Grants.gov Lender Profitability Expectations: A Mixed Outlook What do lenders have to say about their expectations from borrowers? Recently an agricultural survey was taken to talk about this exact thing. It found that agricultural lenders are cautiously optimistic about the profitability of their borrowers in 2023 and 2024. According to this survey , over three-quarters of lenders expect their borrowers to remain profitable in 2023, and two-thirds anticipate profitability to continue into 2024. However, the survey also revealed a greater dispersion in responses regarding the overall level of farm profitability. Of particular concern is the fact that only 28% of lenders reported an increase in borrower profit margins, a significant drop from the 66% who reported such increases the previous year. Additionally, 70% of lenders project a decline in farm profitability over the next 12 months, indicating a general expectation of income compression. Challenges In the Market While the survey primarily focused on agricultural lenders' concerns related to their farmer clients, it's important to note that lending institutions themselves face their own set of challenges. One common theme emerging from the survey is the impact of a rising interest rate environment. Interest rate volatility is identified as the No. 1 perceived concern facing lending institutions in 2023. As interest rates fluctuate, it can have significant implications for borrowing costs and lender profitability. Lender competition and credit quality are identified as the second and third highest overall concerns for lenders, respectively. As the agricultural lending landscape evolves, staying competitive and ensuring the quality of loans are key areas of focus for lending institutions. Both agricultural lenders and producers alike must remain vigilant in the face of these challenges. While there is optimism regarding the profitability of agricultural borrowers, the dispersion in responses suggests a need for adaptability and risk management. Top Concerns for Producers It's also important to hear from the producers themselves. The survey highlights that liquidity and farm income come up often as a top concern for agricultural lenders. There are always concerns about potential economic slowdowns, but the need for food as our population grows continues to keep producers at work. It also brings rise to the need for innovation in farming as our climate changes . The return of liquidity and farm income as top concerns reflect the challenges facing producers in terms of managing cash flow and maintaining profitability in an uncertain economic environment. Agricultural lenders are working closely with their clients to develop strategies that can help address these concerns, such as offering working capital loans and risk management tools . Meeting on Middle Ground Liquidity and farm income are paramount concerns of both producers and lenders. This emphasizes the importance of collaboration between both lenders and farmers to find innovative solutions to financing solutions and repayment. For the farmer, it might be finding new ways to sell to their customers or new products to sell, understanding loan forgiveness, finding a trusted financial advisor, and looking into new types of financing. In addition to these producer-specific concerns, lending institutions must contend with the impact of a changing interest rate environment, and market competition, providing unique options for the changing needs of farm financing, new program rates, and terms, and maintaining credit quality. By fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability agricultural lending institutions and farmers can work together to continue to thrive and grow. Navigating agricultural lending as a farmer presents both challenges and opportunities, requiring a deep understanding of the financial landscape and a strategic approach to securing funds. While the complexities of loan applications, fluctuating interest rates, and market volatility can be daunting, farmers who stay informed and leverage the right resources can access the capital needed to grow their operations. By building a strong relationship with a lender or financial advisor, exploring diverse financing options, and staying adaptable to changing economic conditions, farmers can turn potential obstacles into opportunities for sustainable growth and long-term success in finding funding for their business operations. Happy Farming! Sources: Fall 2023 AGRICULTURAL LENDER SURVEY RESULTS Farming Cooperatives Funding Resources

Animal wellness is a critical consideration for farmers. Livestock health and wellness can directly impact the productivity, yields, product quality, and overall safety of livestock and the community served by your farm. Healthy and happy animals are more productive, leading to better yields and higher quality products, that ultimately benefit the animal, the farm's profitability, as well as consumer satisfaction. Implementing livestock welfare-focused practices, such as providing adequate space, proper nutrition, and access to veterinary care, helps prevent disease and promotes optimal growth. Fostering a stress-free environment through humane handling and socialization can improve animal behavior and reduce aggression and happiness, further enhancing productivity. By prioritizing animal wellness, farmers not only ensure the ethical treatment of their livestock but also contribute to the long-term viability of their operations and the overall health of the food system. In this article, we will go into more depth about these key farm livestock wellness practices to prevent, eliminate, or reduce the hazards and provide an environment for overall wellness for your herd or flock on your farm. The Benefits of Animal Wellness Practices on the Farm Animal wellness  brings numerous benefits to your farm, enhancing the quality, productivity, health, and stability of animals. Multiple   studies  have shown that healthy animals are more productive, resulting in higher milk yields, better growth rates, improved reproductive performance, and many other benefits that ultimately boost profitability. Low-stress, well-cared-for animals are also healthier. Prioritizing animal welfare can also reduce veterinary costs by minimizing the incidence of disease and injury. Well-cared-for animals tend to exhibit better behavior, leading to easier handling and lower stress levels during routine tasks. This not only improves the working environment for farm staff but also enhances animal quality of life and product, positively impacting consumer perception and marketability of your products. Practicing high standards of animal wellness can contribute to compliance with regulations and certifications, positioning your farm as a leader in ethical farming practices. This plays a big role in how consumers make purchasing decisions . It's becoming more and more important to consumers to know how their food is raised and the transparency that companies show in the ethical treatment of animals. This shows that investing in animal wellness creates a healthier, more efficient, more profitable and more sustainable farm operation. The work of Dr. Temple Grandin  has inspired many farmers (and us as well) to take her trusted advice on humane animal handling, more humane slaughter practices, and enacting more wellness practices for the care of our livestock. Her findings and the o bservations made by hundreds of other farms, ranches, feedlots, and slaughter plants indicate that the single most important factor that affects animal welfare is the attitude of management. How we care for our animals makes a large impact on their quality of life. 6 Key Livestock Wellness Management Practices Measure & monitor the overall wellness of your herd/flock/etc. Ensure a clean, healthy, and low-stress living environment Understand the risk of hazards being introduced and spread to and within your animals. Evaluate and maximize immunity –through biosecurity practices. Minimize the risk of export of any hazard from the farm in products or wastes Ensure a compassionate end-of-life Identifying Hazards to Livestock Health Potential hazards can be classified into several categories, including biological, chemical, environmental, and physical risks. Chemical hazards may arise from exposure to pesticides, feed additives, or contaminants in water sources, making regular testing and proper handling essential. Environmental hazards, such as air quality or inadequate shelter, can impact animal comfort and health, necessitating the implementation of protective or preventative measures. Additionally, physical hazards like sharp objects or inadequate fencing can lead to injury. By conducting thorough risk assessments and maintaining awareness of these hazards, farmers can implement preventative strategies that safeguard livestock health and enhance overall farm productivity. Read on to learn more about what types of hazards there may be, how to prevent them, and how to keep your herd/flock/etc. safe and well. Biological Hazards - Biological hazards include things such as infectious diseases, parasites, and fungal contaminants. These require vigilant monitoring and proactive vaccination programs. Chemical Hazards - Chemical hazards may arise from exposure to pesticides, feed additives, drug residues, herbicides, environmental toxins, or contaminants in water sources. You can avoid this by adding regular testing and proper handling. Physical Hazards - Physical hazards for livestock can be from housing and facilities, equipment, obstacles, animal handling, or treatment methods. These can include things such as stalls, housing setup, footing, high-traffic walkways, environmental factors, and inadequate ventilation. The housing and environment can be designed to minimize physical trauma and maximize animal comfort and welfare. Livestock Management Best Practices By adopting livestock management best practices, farmers can enhance animal welfare, optimize feed efficiency, and improve overall herd performance. These practices encompass a range of strategies, including proper nutrition, regular health monitoring, and humane handling techniques, all aimed at creating a supportive environment for livestock. Implementing sound management practices not only benefits individual animals but also contributes to the long-term viability of the farm, fostering a resilient agricultural system that meets the demands of farm owners, farmhands, animals, consumers, and the environment. 9 ways to add effective livestock management to your farm. Nutrition and Feeding : Provide balanced diets tailored to the specific needs of each animal species and their life stage. Ensure access to clean water and necessary minerals at all times. Regular Health Checks : Schedule routine health checkups or veterinary check-ups. Vaccinate to monitor and maintain the health of the herd. Biosecurity Measures : Implement strict biosecurity protocols to prevent disease introduction and spread, including isolation of new animals and maintaining cleanliness in living areas. Avoid introducing potential hazards. Proper Housing : Design and maintain adequate shelter that protects livestock from harsh weather conditions and provides enough space for movement and social interaction, as well as dry, sanitary pens, especially for mothers. Breeding Management : Use responsible breeding practices to improve herd genetics, focusing on traits such as disease resistance, growth rates, and reproductive performance. Record Keeping : Maintain detailed records of health, breeding, nutrition, and production to track performance make informed management decisions, and keep traceability records. Animal Welfare Practices : Prioritize humane treatment by minimizing stress during handling, transport, and lifecycle. Provide enrichment and socialization for herd animals and ensure comfortable living conditions. Pasture Management and Sustainability Practices : Implement rotational grazing and manage pasture quality to optimize forage availability and promote soil health. This is one way to help you adopt environmentally sustainable practices, you can also employ waste management and resource conservation, to enhance the resilience of the farming operation. Education and Training : Invest in ongoing education for farm staff on best practices in animal husbandry, health management, and welfare standards. Your animals and your farm will benefit. By integrating these best practices, farmers and ranchers can ensure the health and productivity of their livestock while promoting ethical and sustainable farming practices. On Farm BioSecurity Best Practices On-farm biosecurity practices are essential for safeguarding livestock health, enhancing farm productivity, and preventing the spread of diseases. With the increasing threat of zoonotic diseases and emerging pathogens, implementing effective biosecurity measures has never been more critical. These practices encompass a comprehensive approach that includes controlling access to the farm, managing animal interactions, and maintaining hygiene standards for equipment and facilities. By focusing on strategies such as the isolation of new animals, proper sanitation protocols, and diligent monitoring of herd health, farmers can create a resilient farming environment that protects both animals and human health. Ultimately, robust on-farm biosecurity not only secures the welfare of livestock but also contributes to the sustainability and profitability of agricultural operations. Bio Security Practices for Livestock Prevention and control of the introduction and spread of disease into our herd/flock/etc. can be employed on your farm in several ways. Reduce Outside Contact Know the health/vaccination status of all animals on the farm Purchase livestock from low-risk sources If possible, test before purchase Reduce or eliminate contact with non-resident animals with your herd/flock/etc. By eliminating or reducing contact with other animals you can reduce the risk for disease introduction into your livestock. Train farm personnel on Introducing or Reintroducing Livestock into the Herd   Introducing new livestock to an existing herd or reintroducing animals requires careful planning and execution to minimize stress and reduce the risk of disease transmission. Know the health/vaccination status of purchased or leased animals Purchase livestock from low-risk sources If possible, test animals before purchase Quarantine new animals (or animals being reintroduced) from the general farm population for 14-30 days. Utilize this time to manage, vaccinate, monitor for, and/or selectively test for diseases. Maintain a vaccination program for incoming and resident animals Minimize Non-Resident Animal Contacts Livestock disease transmission often happens from contact with outside sources. It is a good practice to minimize these risks on your farm. Here are a few ideas to implement that can help you reduce those risks: Prevent fence line contact with other livestock (and humans). For the public, offer designated viewing areas that keep the public at a safe distance while allowing observation without contact. Ensure that equipment and clothing used around livestock are sanitized and free from contaminants further reducing the risk of spreading pathogens. Try to control non-resident stray dogs and or cats Reduce contact with free-ranging wildlife including birds, waterfowl, and mammals. Try to limit direct livestock contact and access to feed storage, distribution equipment, bedding, feeders, and waterers. (Risks- Cryptosporidium parvum, Salmonella, Leptospirosis, Rabies) . Reduce pest species such as rodents, starlings, and pigeons. Institute a bird and rodent control program . Rodents serve as mechanical and biological vectors for several diseases such as Cryptosporidium parvum , Salmonellosis , and Leptospirosis . ( A biological vector is a living organism that carries a disease-causing agent from one host to another .)   Insects and parasites can pose a threat to spreading disease through your herd/flock/etc. You can utilize integrated pest management practices for the control of insect pests and integrate a parasite control program into your land management plan. Bio Security Practices for Manure Biosecurity practices for manure management are essential in safeguarding animal health and preventing the spread of disease on farms. Manure can serve as a reservoir for pathogens, making its handling and disposal a critical aspect of employing biosecurity protocols. By implementing effective manure management strategies, farmers can reduce the risk of contaminating feed, water supplies, and the environment, ultimately protecting livestock from infectious diseases. Protect against manure entry to your farm from outside vehicles and equipment. Set up safeguards against manure runoff entering from neighboring animal premises. Avoid the use of manure (products) and waste from off-premise (poultry, cattle, or other livestock) unless products are certified pathogen-free. Educating farm personnel on the importance of biosecurity in manure management fosters a culture of awareness and responsibility, ensuring that all stakeholders contribute to a safer farming environment. If possible, designate specific equipment for use in particular sections of the farm, such as those for sick animals versus healthy ones, to minimize cross-contamination risks. Proper storage and treatment of manure, regular equipment cleaning, and careful application techniques that minimize runoff and exposure are also ways to minimize these hazards on your farm. By prioritizing these practices, farmers can enhance herd health and wellness. Bio Security Practices for Farm Equipment and Vehicles Implementing biosecurity practices for farm equipment and vehicles is crucial in preventing the introduction and spread of diseases on the farm. Regular cleaning and disinfection of equipment, especially after it has been used in different animal areas or farms, helps remove pathogens that could contaminate livestock. Equipment and farm vehicles should be maintained and cleaned to avoid biological (bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal), chemical, or physical hazards. This includes cleaning tires, wheel wells, and undercarriages, as they can carry pathogens from contaminated areas. Equipment should be disinfected and cleaned between cows, groups, and farms. Hoof Trimmers Use only clean and disinfected equipment. Clean after each use.  (Risk; Hoof and foot diseases or infection, etc.) On-farm vehicles and equipment. Ensure that equipment is cleaned and disinfected before entering your farm. There should not be any leftover organic material from a previous farm on equipment. Off-farm vehicles Minimize access only to necessary portions of the farm. Insist on clean delivery vehicles Livestock Transport Vehicles - Use only clean, well-bedded trucks to move cattle to avoid introducing diseases from manure on the truck and to avoid injuries during transport. Avoid commingling with other herds and livestock.  Rendering Trucks:  Do not allow on the farm proper, utilize peripheral holding pens for pickups. Biosecurity Practices for Livestock Feed and Water The purchased feed may be a potential source of disease organisms and chemical contaminants Buy from sources using quality control to minimize the risk of fecal or chemical contamination Biosecurity Practices for Visitors: Use Proper Sanitation and Hygiene. Ensure footwear and clothing are clean and free of particles that may infect livestock, before entering the farm, or provide disposable boots and covers for apparel. Minimize access to only necessary portions of the farm. Use good hygiene to prevent movement of manure around the farm. Provide boot brushes, disinfectant, and boot wash areas or change disposable boots. Start with young stock and move toward adults to prevent contamination of young stock areas with adult manure. Handle sick animals last if possible. Communication of farm biosecurity and bio-containment procedures to visitors is basic to their success Keeping Track of the Wellness of Your Animals: When you assess your livestock, you'll usually think of physical measurements like height and weight. But beyond that, you may want to consider other factors to determine the overall health and wellness of your animal. Assessing specific areas like their eyes, nose, mouth, and ears can help you pinpoint areas that need attention and flag problems before they get out of hand. Tracking factors like environmental cleanliness, temperature, and air quality can help you address potential problems before they start by ensuring optimal living conditions for your livestock. When you record measurements in Farmbrite, you can track these additional details to get a more holistic view of your overall animal wellness.  The Farmbrite wellness score is meant to be a simple way for you to see a rating and immediately know the animal's overall condition. It combines and calculates the results of the Health and Environment sections from the Farmbrite measurements to arrive at a single overall wellness score. The score ranges from 20-100. You can find out more about using our farm management software, Farmbrite  to track your wellness scores and understand the overall health and wellness of your animals. If utilizing farm management software to track your animal wellness is not something you want/can do at this time but still want to track animal wellness, here are some key metrics to watch and keep track of: Livestock environmental factors like cleanliness, insect activity, and air quality Animal activity levels , including stress, mobility, sociability, energy levels, ease of handling, vocalizing, sores/limping/lameness Nutrition and intake rates and amounts of eating, drinking, and overall weight Animal body condition , including interior and exterior body assessments, such as eyes, ears, mouth teeth, etc. To learn more about how we measure animal wellness take a look here . Good livestock management practices take into account all of these factors and more. Prioritizing animal wellness in your herd/flock/etc. ensures that our livestock receives proper nutrition, veterinary care, and humane treatment, which in turn leads to improved health and productivity, quality of life, and ease of handling. Evaluating animal well-being and reducing biohazards on the farm fosters a healthy livestock management program that provides humane care for the animals that provide nutritious food for our communities. In the words of Dr. Grandin, “We owe them a decent life and a decent death, and their lives should be as low-stress as possible,” As stewards to our animals, our management styles are just as important as the customers who purchase from us. We hope this article offers some insight into how what areas you can look to identify on your farm to help foster an environment for healthy and happy animals. References and resources: Animal Wellness Animal Husbandry Animal Welfare Regulations

Running a successful farm operation requires efficient management of the many parts of your farm, including tracking farmworker hours, handling payroll, and tracking tasks to name just a few. However, traditional methods of manual record-keeping and payroll management can be time-consuming, error-prone, and easily lost or misplaced. This article will dive into the crucial topic of efficiently tracking farmworker hours and simplifying farm payroll management. We discuss some challenges farmers often face and some innovative solutions to help them streamline their ag operations, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure accurate and timely payments to their hardworking employees. Farm Payroll Management and Tracking Farmworker Hours Finding a system that easily tracks farm work and payroll is a big part of organizing employees and reducing your administrative work as a farmer. By leveraging modern technology and digital tools, farmers can automate the process of tracking worker hours, eliminate paperwork, ensure compliance with labor regulations, ensure fair and accurate compensation, and generally make life easier. Efficient payroll management systems can simplify calculating weekly wages, generating pay stubs, and handling tax withholdings, gathering weekly timesheets, making life easier for farmers and farmworkers. There are many benefits to streamlining farm operations with technology. The Challenges and Solutions of Tracking Projects, Farmworker Hours and Information, and Managing Payroll Running a farm operation is a complex endeavor that requires your attention in all of the many projects you have going on, managing people, and all the complexities of running a business. Here are some challenges and solutions to hopefully help you keep your farm more organized and avoid these common issues. Keeping Accurate and Up-to-Date Records One of the more frustrating challenges that farmers face is keeping accurate time tracking and task management data. Tracking farmworker hours and efficiently managing payroll and project management can be a tall task on farms. Traditional methods of manual record-keeping and payroll processing can fall short by being time-consuming, error-prone, and burdensome for farmers who are already juggling multiple responsibilities. One way to alleviate this is to offer farmworkers an online timesheetsoftware and task-tracking app. Many times these can be accessed conveniently on their mobile device. The farm workers can then log their times worked, on what projects from anywhere. This will not work for farmworkers who don't have a mobile device that connects to the internet but luckily mobile devices are relatively easy to get access. Remote Locations Farmworkers often work in remote locations, making it difficult to monitor their hours, attendance, and projects. Relying on paper timesheets or handwritten records can lead to discrepancies, lost documentation, and potential disputes over compensation. Finding a time-tracking app that can work offline will be important in this case. Then farm workers can add their attendance, times worked and any other details needed to the app. It will sync their data to the software when they get back to a WIFI signal. This will keep more up-to-date information, and reduce lost information and errors. Labor Laws and Seasonal Workers The seasonal nature of agricultural work brings added complexity, with fluctuating labor demands and varying pay rates, which can further complicate the payroll process and can lead to increased administrative tasks and risks of non-compliance with labor regulations. Some labor laws and compliance requirements to pay attention to are; minimum wage, overtime pay, unemployment insurance, and tax withholding. Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in costly fines, legal issues, and reputational damage to the farm. Staying on top of those requirements like I-9s can save you in the long run because fees or fines can be financially devastating to a small farm. Farmworker Skillset and Training The complexity of farming comes with both the need for knowledge, skill and the will and capacity to learn specific areas of farming. It's an integral part of hiring farmworkers to ensure that they have the necessary skills needed for tasks like; planting, cultivating, weeding, harvesting, taking care of animals, and equipment operation and maintenance not to mention more complicated tasks. Whether you hire someone who already has that skillset or you train them on the job, it's good to keep track of this information so you can hire them again for that same job and know what training they bring or have been given. Maintaining organized records of past seasons' employees, what training they've received helps ensure that you remember what work they did, what training they received, and how to reach them again. Being able to easily reactivate and update their information season over season makes for much smoother transitions and less overhead when workers arrive for the season. Keeping this in a searchable database is key so that you can easily find the information Manually tracking this data is not time efficient and can cause a lot of headaches in lost or incorrect data. The goal is to always find easy and smart ways to track things on the farm so you can maintain a thriving and sustainable farm operation. The Benefits of Efficient Farmworker Hour Tracking and Payroll Management Implementing efficient systems for tracking farmworker hours and managing payroll can unlock a multitude of benefits for farm operations, both in the short and long term. These advantages can have a profound impact on the overall efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of your farm. Accuracy One of the primary benefits of efficient farmworker hour tracking is the enhanced accuracy of payroll data. By transitioning from manual record-keeping to digital solutions, farmers can eliminate the risk of human errors, such as miscalculations, not entering hours, or lost timesheets. This ensures that farmworkers are paid accurately and on time, fostering trust and job satisfaction among your workforce. Compliance Streamlined payroll management also offers the advantage of improved compliance with labor regulations. Digital systems can automate the calculation of overtime pay, withholding of taxes, and adherence to minimum wage requirements, reducing the administrative burden on farmers and reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties. This protects the farm's financial well-being as well as giving you the security of being an ethical and responsible employer. Cost Savings Efficient farmworker hour tracking and payroll management can lead to significant cost savings for the farm. By automating these processes, farmers can reduce the time and resources required for manual data entry, record-keeping, and payroll processing. This, in turn, frees up funds that can be reinvested into other areas of the business, such as equipment upgrades, infrastructure improvements, or workforce development initiatives. Labor Visibility Improved data visibility and reporting capabilities are additional benefits of streamlining farm operations. Digital solutions can provide farmers with real-time insights into worker productivity, labor costs, and payroll trends, enabling more informed decision-making and strategic planning. This data-driven approach can help farmers identify areas for optimization, improve resource allocation, and make more informed business decisions. Tools and Technologies for Tracking Farmworker Hours Just like when you choose a tool to till the ground you want to choose the best tool for the job. This will be different for each farm operation. Digital technologies have revolutionized the way farmers can track hours, offering a range of innovative solutions that can streamline this critical aspect of farm operations. From mobile apps to cloud-based platforms, these tools provide farmers with efficient and reliable methods for monitoring worker attendance, timekeeping, and payroll processing. One of the most popular solutions for farmworker hour tracking is the use of mobile timekeeping apps. These applications allow farmworkers to clock in and out using their smartphones or tablets, providing real-time data on their work hours. Many of these apps also offer features such as GPS location tracking, task management, and automated payroll calculations, simplifying the entire process for both workers and farm managers. Another technology-driven approach to farmworker hour tracking is the implementation of biometric time clocks. These specialized devices use fingerprint or facial recognition to accurately record worker attendance, eliminating the need for manual sign-in and sign-out procedures. Biometric time clocks can be integrated with payroll software, ensuring seamless data transfer and reducing the risk of errors or discrepancies. In addition to these digital tools, some farms have also explored the use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology for farmworker hour tracking. RFID tags or badges can be assigned to individual workers, automatically registering their arrival and departure times as they move around the farm. This hands-off approach can provide a high level of accuracy and efficiency in tracking worker hours. You might decide to try a few and see if they work for you or pick one. Whichever option you choose for your farm make sure that you have everyone on board for how to use this new tool. Read on for more information. Timesheet Apps Finding the right app that works for your business is just as important as getting your employees to use it. Digital tools such as payroll software, mobile timekeeping apps, and biometric time clocks can significantly improve the accuracy and efficiency of the payroll process. These solutions can automate calculations, handle tax withholdings, and generate detailed pay stubs, reducing the administrative burden on farmers and minimizing the risk of errors. Here are several time tracking and employee-management apps to take a look at in your search for one that works best for you. Microsoft and Google Sheets: If you just need a quick and free timesheet template, take a look at these timesheet templates  or you might use Google Sheets timesheets Free Timesheet Apps: Jibble.io is a free app with paid add-ons. You can use it to track timesheets mobile app, attendance, and project management, and integrate with other apps. Clockify is also a free timesheet app where you can enter hours in an online timesheet app, track attendance, add time off, utilize timers, and calculate work hours and projects. Timely helps you keep track of automatic time tracking, timesheets, tasks, and projects. Farm Management Software: Another popular solution for farmworker time tracking is a Farm Management Software that offers time tracking as well like Farmbrite . Farmworkers can clock hours and update the times they worked through the app. This also shows what they worked on the farm through task management. You can also keep a record of training and farmworker information through the Farmbrite CRM and integrate it with other apps through an API. Employee Management Software: You can also utilize more sophisticated employee management software like Gusto  or ADP  that will help you keep track of timesheets, run payroll, withhold and pay taxes for you, and help you stay compliant. Choosing the Right Software for Farm Payroll Management With a wide range of options available, it is essential for farmers to carefully evaluate the features, functionality, and compatibility of these solutions to ensure they meet the unique needs of their farm operations. Here are some key features to look for that might be a benefit to your farm. Agricultural Software One of the primary considerations when choosing payroll software for a farm is its ability to handle the complexities of agricultural work, such as variable pay rates, piece-rate compensation, and seasonal labor fluctuations. Finding software for the needs of your farm operation is important. You can choose software that is very complex or more simple. Whichever software you choose, it should be designed to accommodate the unique aspects of the agricultural industry, automating calculations and simplifying the payroll process. Integrations Ease of use and integration with other farm management systems are also crucial factors. Farmers should look for payroll software that offers a user-friendly interface, intuitive workflows, and seamless integration with existing tools and technologies used on the farm, such as timekeeping apps or inventory management systems. This level of integration can help eliminate manual data entry, reduce the risk of errors, and streamline the overall farm operations. Compliance Depending on the complexity of your farm operation, another important consideration of the software's compliance features is to ensure the payroll system adheres to relevant labor laws and tax regulations. More complex payroll software should automatically handle tasks such as tax withholding, overtime calculations, and the generation of pay stubs and W-2 forms, reducing the administrative burden on farmers and minimizing the risk of non-compliance penalties. Customer Support The level of customer support and the availability of training resources to your team is vital. Reliable and responsive customer service along with comprehensive training materials can help farmers and their staff quickly adapt to the new system, maximize its benefits, and get your team up and running. Implementing a Streamlined Process for Tracking and Managing Farmworker Hours Implementing a streamlined process for tracking and managing farmworker hours is a crucial step in optimizing your farm operations. Here are some helpful steps to get you started implementing one of these apps into your organization. Step 1: Assess Your Existing Practices The first step in this process is to carefully assess the farm's existing practices for tracking worker hours. This may involve evaluating the current methods, such as paper timesheets or manual sign-in/sign-out procedures, and identifying areas for improvement. You should consider the specific needs and challenges of your farm, such as the size of the workforce, the diversity of job roles, and the geographical distribution of work sites, etc. You might find that with just a few changes you don't need to implement a whole new system or you might find that there is more that isn't working and could be streamlined. Step 2: Explore All the Options Once you've figured out what problem(s) you're trying to solve, you can begin selecting a solution. This might be for time tracking, employee management, task tracking, or all of them together. This step may involve researching and evaluating various mobile apps, biometric time clocks, or cloud-based workforce management platforms, as discussed in the previous section. The chosen solution should be tailored to the farm's requirements, offering features that streamline the hour-tracking process and integrate seamlessly with the farm's existing systems. Once you have all the information, sit down with your team and make sure that the solution you're choosing fits your needs. No software will have everything for every business. Businesses are complex and each one will have unique needs and challenges. So choose one that meets most of your needs and listens to their customers to develop for their needs. Step 3: Implementation and Training During the implementation phase, it is crucial to involve farmworkers in the process and provide comprehensive training on the new system. This not only ensures that the workers understand how to use the technology effectively but also fosters a sense of ownership and buy-in, which can contribute to the long-term success of the streamlined hour-tracking process. Providing comprehensive training and education for farmworkers is not only a necessity but also a strategic investment in the farm's long-term success. Step 4: Policies and Procedures Farmers should also establish clear policies and procedures for how farmworkers track and maintain hourly tracking, including guidelines for reporting discrepancies, handling time-off requests, and addressing any issues that may arise. By setting these expectations upfront, you can promote transparency, maintain compliance with labor regulations, and create a positive work environment for your employees. E stablish clear communication channels and provide ongoing support for your farmworkers as they transition to the new hour-tracking process. This may involve designating a dedicated point of contact or a team of "super-users" who can assist their team members with any questions or issues that may arise. Make sure they have a way to get support from whichever app you choose so workers don't feel frustrated. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions can also help identify areas for improvement and ensure that the system remains user-friendly and effective. The Future of Streamlined Farm Operations Streamlining your farm operations is just one way to make your daily work easier by working smarter, not harder. As the agricultural industry continues to evolve, the importance of streamlining farm operations, particularly in the areas of farmworker hour tracking and payroll management, will only become more pronounced. By embracing innovative technologies and implementing best practices, you can unlock a wealth of benefits that can contribute to the long-term success and sustainability of your farm business. The emphasis on data-driven decision-making and real-time visibility will become even more crucial in the years to come. Farmers who can leverage the insights and analytics derived from their streamlined farm operations will be better equipped to make informed decisions, respond to market changes, and adapt to the shifting demands of the agricultural industry. You can empower your farmworkers with user-friendly technologies and provide them with the necessary training and support to create a work environment that promotes trust, job satisfaction, and long-term loyalty – all of which are essential for the continued success of the farm operation. By embracing the power of technology, implementing best practices, and prioritizing the needs of your workforce, you can position your businesses for long-term growth, resilience, and sustainability in the ever-evolving agricultural landscape. Happy Farming!

Email marketing is a powerful tool for farm businesses looking to engage their audience and keep them up to date with new products. This involves sending targeted messages to a list of subscribers, allowing you to communicate directly with your customers in a personalized way. By leveraging segmentation and automation, farms can tailor their content to specific interests and behaviors, ensuring higher open and click-through rates. With a strong emphasis on building quality email lists, crafting compelling subject lines, and providing valuable content, email marketing not only nurtures customer relationships but also fosters brand loyalty. As one of the most cost-effective marketing channels, it enables farm businesses to reach their sales goals while also measuring email campaign results, making it an essential component of any comprehensive farm marketing strategy. Here are 8 ways to use email marketing to sell more products, build your brand identity, and offer more personal service to your customer base. Here are 8 ways to build an email marketing list to touch base with your customers. Step 1: Build An Email Contact List Where do you begin? Well, start with building a really great contact list. Dig around and find all those past customers, new customers, repeat customers, prospects, and your surrounding community. By sorting through your emails you can easily start building an email list so that you can keep your customers up to date with what items you have available and what events you might have going on. Create an Email Sign up: Next, create an email sign-up form on your website. Customers might come to your site but not buy anything right away. But they might want to be contacted to buy something from you later. Segment Your Audience: Add segments to your list where to group customers that have similar interests and behaviors. This way you can send targeted email content to them all at once. Create a Paper Sign-Up: If you don't have a large following to begin with you can have people sign up at events. Another way of adding contacts to your email list is to invite customers to sign up at events and the farmers market. Call it your VIP list and make them feel special about signing up. Step 2: Create Fun and Engaging Emails This is the fun part. This is where you get to talk about your farm! You get to show your audience your personality and get them excited about your farm. Don't forget to use compelling subject lines to get them to open your emails. Here are some ideas for creating email content. Give updates from the farm - Give them updates on new employees, what the (goat) kids are up to, and other items going on around the farm. If you're weeding make it seem fun! Promote product availability - Make it easy for them to purchase from you. What CSA items are available this week or month? Where can they get them? This is your time to shine! What's new? Share farm photos - Who doesn't love to see an old tractor, a repaired fence, or a freshly weeded garden bed? Share your hard work - Tell them about your story. This makes you human and they will be repeat customers. They want to know the face behind the products. Share recipes and tips - Think of this as a valuable add-on. Add recipes and tips on preparing and using your fruit, vegetables, or meat products. Sometimes folks don't know the best way to cook with a turnip, share some ideas! Step 3: Include a Call to Action in Every Email This is an important step. You are sending them an email for a reason. Be clear about what you want them to do. Have a few points in your email and maybe some valuable information (Hey what about a coupon for being a subscriber to your newsletter?) but at the end of the email ask them for something. Do you want them to sign up for a CSA, stop by the farm store for some yummy honey or jelly, or tell them about an upcoming event they can sign up for? This is your time to ask. Don't forget to add an interesting subject line so that people will open your email. And always include an unsubscribe link in case people don't want your emails anymore :( Step 4: How Often Should You Send Emails? How often do you need to communicate with your customers is a question you'll need to answer. You may only want to communicate quarterly but if you have time make this a priority to market your farm to your customers monthly. That might not work for your schedule though. Sending a quarterly email campaign might be better for you. Do what feels right for your business. Better yet, ask customers how often they want to hear from you. Step 5: Review Email Metrics, Test and Repeat Make sure you've said all that you want in your email and that you've said it well. Don't make the mistake of hitting the send button too fast and end up sending out an email with a mistake in it. Take the time to rewrite and revise before you send it to the world. If you're using an email platform to help you manage your contact list and send your marketing emails, it's a good idea to review your email metrics to understand which emails are working and how engaged your customers are. Here's some tips: Look for emails with high open rates to find subject lines that work. Emails with high click-through rates indicate a good offer or CTA (call-to-action) Watch for high bounce rates and be sure to unsubscribe customers whose email bounces or ask to be removed from your list Test different formats with just text or with images and graphics and see which perform best Step 6: Optimize For Mobile There are plenty of people now who do not use computers as often as their phones. If you optimize your emails to fit on their mobile devices this will help them read your emails while they're out and about. Your content doesn't have to be very long and wordy. You can give them some interesting pictures, a recipe, and a bit about what's going on, on the farm. This will keep their interest in your farm and will remind them of what you have for sale. Step 7: Maintain Consistency Put these newsletters or check-ins on a regular schedule. That will make it easy for you to remember, it will also be something they look for. Keep your tone and style the same with every email. This shows your unique brand and provides consistency to your format. It doesn't mean you can't change later, it might even be something you point out! Step 8: Follow Legal Guidelines It's important to make sure that your customers have opted into your mailing list. There are legal email guidelines from the GDPR and CAN-SPAM that you need to adhere to. You can add an unsubscribe button on your emails and be transparent about the use of their data. Taking time to dive into your email marketing plan will benefit you in the long run. Here are some tips from Mailchimp on developing an effective email marketing strategy not only by letting your customers know what you have available to buy but also that you are busy filling orders, and helping others in the community. Being part of the community they will appreciate hearing from you. Communication with your customers is a great way to make connections. In a time when we all feel a little separate reaching out to your customers might be exactly what they need. By implementing these tips, you can enhance your email marketing efforts and foster stronger connections with your audience! Happy Farming!

Tax time is probably not your favorite time of year but it is necessary part of the year. If you're a farm, then the good news is that there are many tax benefits for people in agriculture including farms, plantations, ranches, ranges and orchards. Whatever you raise of grow, it's good to know the ins-and-outs of agricultural taxes and be informed and prepare for tax time. Here are 11 tips to consider for your next farm taxes 1.) Crop insurance proceeds Insurance payments from crop damage count as income. Generally, you should report these payments the year you get them. A cash basis farmer must include proceeds from crop insurance and federal disaster programs in gross income for the tax year during which they receive the payments. 2.) Deductible farm expenses Farmers can deduct ordinary and necessary expenses they paid for their business. An ordinary expense is a common and accepted cost for that type of business. A necessary expense means a cost that is appropriate for that business. In agriculture, these ordinary and necessary expenses include car and truck expenses, fertilizer, seed, rent, insurance, fuel, and other costs of operating a farm. Schedule F itemizes many of these expenses. 3.) Farm help, employees and hired help You can deduct reasonable wages you paid to your farm’s full and part-time workers. You must withhold Social Security, Medicare and income taxes from their wages. I f you paid cash wages of $20,000 or more to employee farm workers in any calendar quarter in the current or prior tax year you will need to There are instances where you don't have to pay this. Some farmers will hire a crew leader or crew boss as independent contractors to provide farm labor. The crew leader hires the necessary farmworkers and pays their wages. In that case, the crew leader is the employer of the farmworkers for tax and other legal purposes and will need to withhold and pay their employment taxes. If you hire a crew leader to provide labor, you must make sure not to treat the crew leader and the farmworkers the leader hires as your employees. You may not supervise or otherwise control the crew leader or farmworkers. Your control is limited to accepting or rejecting the final results the crew leader achieves. If you don't want to give up control over the workers who labor on your farm, don't hire an independent contractor crew leader. If you do treat a crew leader like your employee, you'll be responsible for the taxes of the farmworkers he or she hires. If you hire a crew leader to furnish you with farmworkers, you must keep a record of the crew leader's name, permanent mailing address, and employer identification number (EIN). If the crew leader has no permanent mailing address, record his or her present address. Keep this with your tax records. 4.) Sale of items purchased for resale If you sold livestock or items that you bought for resale, you must report the sale. Your profit or loss is the difference between your selling price and your basis in the item. This is usually the cost of the item. Your cost may also include other amounts you paid such as sales tax and freight. 5.) Repayment of loans You can only deduct the interest you paid on a loan if the loan is used for your farming business. You can’t deduct interest you paid on a loan that you used for personal expenses. 6.) Weather-related farm sales   Bad weather such as a drought or flood may force you to sell more livestock than you normally would in a year. If so, you may be able to delay reporting a gain from the sale of the extra animals. A farmer who sells livestock because of a shortage of water, grazing, feed production or other consequences of a weather related condition may postpone the payment of income tax on the taxable gain from the sale. There are two separate and distinct tax treatments, both of which apply only to weather related sales of livestock in excess of normal business practice. For 2020 the IRS has already stated that they are allowing some of these capital gains to be differed. 7.) Farm net operating losses   If your expenses are more than your income for the year, you may have a net operating loss. You can carry that loss over to other years and deduct it. You may get a refund of part or all of the income tax you paid in prior years. You may also be able to lower your tax in future years. 8.) Average farm income The IRS states that "You may be able to average some or all of the current year's farm income by spreading it out over the past three years. This may lower your taxes if your farm income is high in the current year and low in one or more of the past three years." Using Schedule J to spread out your income allows you to average your current tax bracket with previous years to avoid being taxed at a significantly higher rate this year. This treatment can make sense for any of the following reasons: Your current taxable income places you in a higher marginal tax bracket than prior years. The income earned at the higher rate can be applied retroactively to prior years with lower rates-saving you money. If the farm income averaging election has not been utilized in earlier years. The IRS will let you amend prior years’ filings to capture those benefits. If you anticipate a higher income or higher tax rates in the future. You can apply income averaging for three years which sets you up for a profitable use of this treatment in future years. 9.) Fuel and road use You may be able to claim a tax credit or refund of excise taxes you paid on fuel used on your farm for farming purposes. Not all fuels are taxed. There are a variety of circumstances where the government may not tax or implement reduced taxes, including the following: Business use of gasoline in a vehicle that is not registered for highway use Exported gasoline Gasoline and kerosene used in commercial aviation Undyed diesel fuel used in farming or for some bus transportation (They make the distinction that undyed diesel is taxed; Diesel that has been dyed red is untaxed) To be clear, only the “ultimate user” of the fuel is eligible for the credit for untaxed use. In other words, if you weren’t the one who burned the fuel, then you usually can’t claim the credit. 10.) Farm property tax breaks All 50 states give a creak to property tax rates to agricultural land in an effort to help farmers and/or fight urban sprawl. But how easy it is to claim this break varies greatly, and some states recoup back taxes if the land is taken out of farm use. 11.) Filling out the IRS Schedule F The schedule F asks about your principal farming activity or crop; your income from selling livestock, produce, grains or other products; and whether you received farm income from cooperative distributions, agricultural program payments, Commodity Credit Corporation loans, crop insurance proceeds, federal crop disaster payments, or any other sources. When you use Farmbrite the schedule F is broken down for you. We've made it easy to see this information and to print it out. Learn more about streamlining your IRS Schedule F and farm taxes . An important note: We are not accountants. Much of the information from this article is from the IRS site but if you are unsure of tax law, please talk to an accountant or the IRS. Additional IRS Resources: Schedule F , Profit or Loss From Farming Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center IRS Free File E-file Options Filing Your Taxes Interactive Tax Assistant IRS Tax Map Other Tax help Farmers Tax Guide   There is a whole guide that you can refer to: Publication 225 . If you have questions about this you can also find more information at IRS.gov or by calling the IRS at ( 800-829-3676 ). We know tax season isn't always easy but hopefully some of these tips will give you some added benefits this tax season.

Accounting may not be the most fun part of your work week but it is a very important part. Understanding and adopting farm-specific accounting methods can mean the difference between living your dream or just dreaming about it. At the end of the day farming is a business and accounting (for better or worse) is a big part of that. Read on for some tools, tips and key agriculture accounting standards to adopt for your farm or ranch. No matter what type of business you're running, it's critical to keep detailed records of your income and expenses. So whether you keep your farm records in a spreadsheet, online accounting system (like Quickbooks or Xero), or use a farm management system or farm accounting software keeping detailed financial records is critical to understanding the health of your farm business. Farm Budgets for a Profitable Farm Business Budgets are crucial to making sound agricultural decisions. They help you evaluate your business venture before committing to them. They also provide the framework to keep on track as you move through the season. What is this magic I'm describing? Why, it's a budget. There are two types of budgets that small farms and ranches use the most often. They are: 1) An operating budget— budgeting for cash flow. 2) An Enterprise Budget — budgeting for a new agricultural product/project. Farm Cashflow Management Cash flow refers to the net balance of cash moving in and out of a business at a specific point in time. This could be monthly expenses or savings for future unknowns. All of this goes into a cash flow budget. One way to get your budget in check is to write out a budget or add one to an online app. There are lots of free resources out there that can help you with this. What's important is that you write down your income (in) and expenses (out) to make sure you're covered for the month. It's important to get all the spenders in the household involved in this process. Then (hopefully) there won't be any oops moments where you overspend and can't pay for something important. It's also great to have multi-streams of income in case the market dries up or you aren't able to sell an item. Here are a few ways to keep the cash flow streaming on the farm: Offer a CSA- It doesn't have to be a year-long CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). You could choose a weekly, monthly, or bi-monthly CSA. This keeps funds rolling in (even in the winter). Sell seasonal items (plan ahead) Like seedlings or holidays gift items. (Christmas trees or pies anyone!?) Sell greens (all year long) Sell herbs or flowers: Get creative about what might grow well in your area. (Dry the flowers and sell dried bouquets in the winter. Grow some garlic and scapes Start a herd share or breeding services Add some online or in-person classes. You also might offer both for folks that can't make it to you. (This might broaden your reach.) Rent a barn stall or two These are just a few ideas but there are a ton of ideas that could help keep the funds rolling in for your farm all year long. Think about your market and listen to what your customer wants. Evaluating The Next Greatest Thing One of the most addictive parts of farming is dreaming about all the possibilities. Before you take that leap into the next market or next great idea be sure to run your idea through an enterprise budget exercise. Should you build a new hoop house for early tomato production? Should you sell pastured chicken eggs? How about adding turkey this year? Or what about adding flower production to your vegetable farm? While the opportunities for new income streams are exciting, it is also incredibly easy to waste a lot of time and money on a new venture that may end up being unprofitable and just cost you money. Enterprise budgets are a way of helping you break down the expenses and income that come with a specific crop/livestock project. They have been developed by agricultural producers, extension specialists, government agencies, and financial institutions to help farm and ranch managers evaluate new agricultural opportunities. You can use them to help find a budget that matches the crop or livestock you may be considering. Here is a link to some free enterprise budgets. Enterprise budgets were initially created for large-scale farms, but many have been developed for small, specialty operations. Most land-grant universities have a selection of enterprise budgets to choose from. Go HERE for more information on using budgets for agricultural decision-making. Understanding Your Farms’ Profit and Loss Your farm’s income statement (aka profit and loss) allows you to determine whether the farming operation is making money. It also allows you to evaluate the difference between your gross income (total sales) and net income (gross sales after expenses). Your P&L includes the same income and expense categories as your annual operating budget minus capital purchases with the addition of depreciation expense and interest. Once you determine what your “profit” is, it is up to you to decide what to do with it. Some beginning farmers will put all that money right back into the operation, electing to grow the efficiency of the business, investing in new equipment, or building a packing shed, for instance. Others may take that income out as an “owner draw” for household income. Finally, some may hold that money in reserve for future investments or cover next year’s expenses. Preparing for Taxes — Your Schedule F Ranchers and livestock, including poultry farmers, vegetable and fruit growers, nursery owners, and even fish farmers running a business need to report their net profit or loss for the tax year using a Schedule F (Profit or Loss from Farming) form. A Schedule F also allows you to take advantage of farm-specific deductions. The income (or loss) from your Schedule F will then be carried over when you file your personal 1040. Most farmers will find it easier to employ a tax professional to finish their annual Schedule F. However, the record-keeping of income and expenses will need to be kept and gathered to provide to the hired accountant. Paper receipts may be provided, but most farmers find it is easier to use software developed for farm accounting to keep track of income and expenses. If you categorize your income and expenses throughout the year, the same information used to formulate budgets, keep track of your cash flow, and run your P&L will also fill out your Schedule F when tax time comes around. If you'd like to find an easier way to do this give Farmbrite a try! We help you just print out that Schedule F at tax time. Learn more about accounting needs for small farmers and ranchers . We hope you found this introduction to farm budgeting and accounting helpful! In addition to helping farmers and ranchers keep track of their crops and livestock, sell online, run reports and analytics, and issue work orders, Farmbrite offers farm bookkeeping and accounting functionality that streamlines your farms' taxes and bookkeeping needs.

What you need to know to get started leasing your farmland for solar, wind, or other alternative energy uses. Leasing your farmland for alternative energy (solar or wind) can help the investor save on farm acquisition costs and earn you extra income. However, solar and wind leasing are long-term contracts and should not be taken lightly. Indeed, the two parties (landowner and lessee) should understand tax implications, property valuation, and lease agreement among other factors before leasing farmland for renewable energy production. We recommend that you consult a lease agreement lawyer before signing the contract. In this article, we will discuss the critical factors to consider when leasing your farmland for alternative energy and what to expect in the agreement. About Renewable Energy in the Country According to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), alternative energy (hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass) accounts for approximately 20% of the total electricity produced in the country. That said, renewable energy continues to become more popular in the United States. This comes as the federal and state-specific governments want to phase out the environment unfriendly fossil fuels and adopt clean energy. In fact, government policies are aligned toward accelerating the production of renewable energy. It is predicted that the nation will achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2035. And so, producers are/will be leasing farmland to generate utility-scale solar and wind energy. Basics of Leasing Farmland For Solar and Wind Energy Production In a solar or wind energy lease, the landowner grants permission to the company or developer for the installation of electricity facilities and generation of alternative energy (in this case solar or wind energy). Ideally, small-scale projects require a few acres presumably less than 10 acres but utility-scale projects need huge chunks of land. In addition, solar and wind leasing are long-term contracts that may last for hundreds of years. This is because solar and wind farms are capital-intensive and take quite some time to return on investment. Therefore, such a long-lasting agreement requires careful evaluation. How to Lease Farmland For Renewable Energy The process of solar and wind leasing involves the following four steps Scouting for an appropriate site for solar and wind energy project Every successful renewable energy project starts with choosing the appropriate site. On one hand, a solar energy developer assesses the amount of sun that the land receives. On the other hand, a wind energy developer has to consider the optimal wind received on the site. Other important considerations include close proximity to the transmission framework, shade obstructions, environmental and zoning issues, and other barriers. Preliminary agreement Once a developer has identified a promising site for a solar or wind energy project, they will approach the landowner with a preliminary agreement. The preliminary agreement, also known as a letter of intent or term sheet, is a notification to the landowner of a developer's desire to set up a renewable energy project. The document serves to “hold” the land while the developer is doing a further assessment. Some companies will provide detailed notification while others will opt for a brief and informal notice. In some cases, the preliminary agreement might contain the terms of the lease and are legally binding if signed by the two parties. As the landowner, you should read between the lines to ensure the terms are favorable. A detailed letter of intent has a confidentiality clause that forbid the landowner from sharing information about the project or getting into a contract with other renewable energy companies. You should have a reputable attorney look at these documents to protect your best interest. Option to lease If the solar or wind energy developer is interested in continuing and the terms are favorable, they will write a more legally binding document referred to as an option to lease. Through this document, the landowner authorizes the renewable energy developer to look for finances, government permits, and land parcels and examine the land further. While some investors issue an option to lease as a single document, others will attach it to the lease. It is wise to be cautious here because an option to lease does not compel the investor to literally develop the project. However, if the developer starts the project, they will be bound by the option to lease agreement. The solar or wind lease The solar or wind lease may be the most important legal agreement between the farmland owner and the renewable energy developer. It states the lease duration, the terms of payment, rights, and responsibilities of the two parties, property taxes, liabilities, insurance, and so forth. Solar and wind leases are categorized as commercial leases. Therefore, the courts expect that parties involved in these agreements read and understand the terms to work out a better arrangement if needed. It's important to note that the law doesn’t provide the same protection for commercial leases as it does for residential leases. So, it is essential that the land owner fully reviews the lease specification and negotiates for a favorable arrangement. Key Considerations For Solar and Wind Energy Leases Here are some key factors that a farmland owner should consider before renting out their property to a renewable energy producer. Family considerations Usually, farmlands are jointly owned by the family members. For example, the landowners can be a wife and husband and such a parcel of land will be inherited by their children. And as pointed out earlier, solar and wind leases last several years. This means that the lease might run to the next generation. So, it is essential to consider the effect of the lease on every member of the family. It's important to ensure that the majority, if not all, family members accept the shift from agricultural production to energy production. It's also important to consider how the lease will influence the way your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will use the farmland. You should review or have a farm transition plan before leasing the land. Dual uses of the farmland Although wind energy projects allow for farming activities to take place on leased land, solar energy might not. This is because wind energy facilities are set up wide apart leaving substantial space for farming. On the contrary, Solar panels occupy a great portion of the farmland preventing agricultural activities. Nevertheless, some companies permit the farmers to practice low-impact farming such as beekeeping, growing crops, and livestock grazing in the field hosting the solar energy project. Grass harvesting and livestock grazing Wind turbines are installed in a way that they can support grass harvesting and livestock grazing. The rows of wind turbines are spacious enough to allow small and medium-sized hay harvesters to pass without causing any harm. Besides, the turbines are tall and firm enough for cattle to rub or lean for shade. On the other hand, solar panels are set closer to the ground and consume a lot of space. With such a setup, solar farms are not compatible with large farm animals such as horses or cows. Indeed, a solar farm is only suitable for smaller livestock species such as goats, sheep, pigs, or chickens. However, you should be careful with goats and pigs as they tend to be more destructive and can chew the cables. If the developer accepts that you graze livestock on the leased land, ensure that they commit to keeping the entrances and exits closed during installation, maintenance, and demolition. Similarly, you may request to be notified when the lessee plans to construct, repair, or demolish any part of the property to avoid disrupting your livestock. Crops Solar energy developers can permit you to cultivate some high-value crops mostly hand-harvested vegetables or flowers between rows of photovoltaic panels. One advantage of solar panels is that they provide shade which prevents loss of moisture in hot and dry climates. So, they decrease the need for watering, especially in dry climates. Furthermore, a farmer can harvest rainwater run-off and use it for irrigation. Be watchful that cables are buried sufficiently deep to avoid getting damaged during plowing and planting. Also, you can harvest hay where solar nodules are spaced wide enough to allow the movement of simple hay cutters. Again, remember to be cautious when using machines on the solar farm as they might throw stones and hit the panels. A normal lease contains a clause that holds you liable for the damage you cause to the investor’s property and holds the developer liable for any loss or damage that they cause to your assets. Hunting and wildlife conservation Some renewable energy lessees allow farmland owners to hunt and conserve wildlife as long as the animals kept do not interfere with project material. However, hunting should be done with utmost caution as it may damage the solar or wind energy facilities. In the lease agreement, you should retain the right to utilize the land for hunting. If the clean energy equipment is set up during hunting season, and you ordinarily earn money from hunting licensing costs throughout that time, the agreement could perhaps allow you to seek compensation for lost revenue. If hunting is permitted under the lease, you will be expected to cover for any damage caused by hunting done by you or those authorized by you. Beekeeping and other land uses Bee apiaries can be comfortably kept alongside solar arrays. You can set up habitat improvements such as bird and bat boxes or log piles as well. What Are The Tax Implications? The installation of solar panels or wind turbines on your farmland can impact how the property will be taxed. Indeed, the taxes will rise if the renewable energy facilities set up in your land increase its per acre value. States such as Ohio, disqualify farmland with solar or wind energy projects from the Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV) reduced tax assessment. Others such as New York consider farmland with clean energy projects as “ real property” and are taxed as such. And so, your local tax analyst will assess the increase in value resulting from solar modules or wind turbines to the exact value of your land. A rise in market value also called the taxable value might hike your taxes. Such an increase can also elevate other levies including drainage districts, fire, highway, ambulance, library, lighting districts, and so forth. In addition, it increases special municipal water taxes and sewer districts if the farmland is no longer primarily used for agricultural activities. The renewable energy developer is liable for and should pay all personal property levies and evaluations that accrue on the renewable energy equipment including taxes induced on electricity generation. Moreover, the developer should commit to the agreement to pay for or compensate you for any surges in taxes. Renewable energy tax exemption for farms Land used predominantly for generating solar or wind energy power is exempt from property tax hikes for 15 years after the wind or solar energy facilities are installed. Property taxes will rise after the 15-year term expires. Furthermore, if the land is no longer used mainly for renewable energy production, the property taxes will rise. You must apply for the tax waivers as the landowner by applying to your municipal tax assessor. The majority of wind and solar agreements are periods not less than 20 years. Because the exemption is only valid for 15 years, your taxes will rise 15 years after you install renewable energy equipment. Land used primarily for wind or solar energy production is exempt from an increase in property taxes for 15 years following the installation of wind or solar energy equipment. After the 15-year period ends, the property taxes will increase. Additionally, if the land ceases to be used primarily for renewable energy generation, the property taxes will increase. You, as the landowner, are responsible for applying for the exemption by applying to your local tax assessor. Most wind and solar leases are for terms of at least 20 years. Since the exemption only lasts for 15 years, your taxes will return to normal 15 years after the renewable energy equipment is installed. Neighbors and Community Most states allow neighbors to review the project and write a review. Some of your neighbors and community members might object to the idea of solar or wind energy production in the neighborhood and give your project a bad review. Although issues such as noise and air pollution during construction could be genuine concerns, they can be discussed and solved. As the farmland owner, you might want to meet with your neighbors and address their concerns. Liability and Insurance Setting up an alternative energy project might put the farmland owner and other users at risk. Therefore, the lease agreement will require that both parties have insurance. You will want to talk to your insurance agent to know what is available. Tracking It goes without saying that it is also important to save the documents, profit and costs of these interactions. Take a look at Farmbrite to help keep track of track of key notes and other items that you need to keep safely in one spot. To Sum Up Leasing your farmland for renewable energy is a great way to supplement your income. Even so, you should be cautious when making this decision. You can consider all the factors mentioned in this article to avoid getting into trouble. We recommend that you consult a wind or solar leasing attorney, accountant, insurance expert, energy professional, and financial planner for the best advice.

Farming is one of the most important industries in the world. It provides us with food, clothing and shelter. It’s no surprise that the industry is growing and supplying the job force with many different types of careers. While farming may be your first thought when it comes to agricultural jobs, there are actually hundreds of different specialties and niches within the industry, from scientists to economists and more. These jobs require special skills, and some even require advanced degrees. From working on farms to testing the soil quality in different areas, agriculture offers diverse career opportunities. 1. Farmer and Rancher Owner It’s hard to talk about agriculture without mentioning farming and ranching. This career field is as varied as the subject of agriculture itself is: there are dairy farmers, livestock ranchers, fruit growers, crop farmers, and organic farmers, just to name a few. Some of these types of farming are new, like cannabis and organic farming, while other types of farming go back generations, and have a long history in the United States and around the world. Farmers are the people who grow crops and raise livestock, but they are also so much more. They are often responsible for the business side of their farming operations, from marketing to budgeting and more. They work on farms, in fields and greenhouses, around livestock, with plants, soil and water. They can be found all over the world doing different things: some fish in rivers; some grow coffee beans or cocoa trees; some work on farms with animals like cattle or sheep. 2. Agricultural Economists If you’re a numbers person and like to apply your education to the real world, then agricultural economics may be just the career for you. Agricultural economists are responsible for analyzing and interpreting data to help farmers make informed decisions about their crops and livestock. In order to become an agricultural economist, individuals must have a bachelor’s degree in economics or agricultural business management, as well as a master’s degree in agricultural economics or another related field (such as business administration). In addition, those who want to work as agricultural economists should consider obtaining a PhD in their area of study. While completing their education, aspiring agricultural economists are encouraged to gain experience working with people by volunteering or interning at local farms or ranches. Additionally, they should develop skills related to data analysis during their time spent studying in college. 3. Farm Managers and Operators Farm managers and operators are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a farm. Their primary function is to manage the finances, make sure all equipment is working properly, hire and fire employees and oversee marketing and sales. These individuals may be paid by commission or hourly wages. The most important role of the farm manager is to make sure that everything on the farm runs smoothly. They are responsible for supervising employees as well as all operations on the farm or ranch. The manager must also work closely with the owner of the farm to ensure that all tasks are completed on time and within budget. 4. Agricultural Engineers Agricultural engineers are responsible for designing and improving the efficiency of a variety of agricultural production systems. They may also be involved in planning and implementing food processing facilities, ensuring that crops meet certain chemical requirements, or developing new technologies for farming equipment. Agricultural engineers must be skilled in soil science, physics and chemistry as well as computer modeling techniques. In addition to a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering from an ABET-accredited institution, individuals interested in this career should consider taking courses in biology, chemistry or physics at the undergraduate level before applying for graduate programs. 5. Nursery Workers Nursery workers are responsible for the care of plants and trees, from germination to planting. To become a nursery worker, you must be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Nursery workers must also have patience and enjoy working with living things because their job requires them to spend long periods of time with their charges. They must also possess excellent manual dexterity since they spend large amounts of time doing repetitive tasks like watering and trimming plants. The job outlook is good thanks to increased demand for plants as well as the need for maintenance of existing plantings due to climate change and natural disasters like forest fires. 6. Agricultural Inspectors and Testers In this job, you’ll work with farmers and manufacturers to ensure that their products meet government standards. As an agricultural inspector, it's your job to make sure food is produced safely and efficiently for consumers. This can include inspecting animal feed, meat processing plants, egg farms or milk production facilities. You may also inspect transportation vehicles used for transporting agricultural products such as trucks or trains. Agricultural inspectors are usually employed by state agencies or food inspection companies that specialize in inspection services for specific types of products (such as produce). They may also work at private laboratories where they test food samples before they reach consumers so their quality meets federal regulatory guidelines. 7. Agricultural Scientists and Researchers If science was your best subject in school and you have a passion for agriculture, a career as an agricultural scientist or researcher might be right for you. Agricultural scientists and researchers are employed by the federal government, state governments, colleges and universities, private industry, or nonprofit organizations. Their work includes research that can cover a broad spectrum of topics, including: Crops and livestock Farm production Farm management Farm economics Farm safety Food quality Food safety The work of agricultural and food scientists can be divided into three main categories: Research to improve crops and livestock, Research to improve farm production Research to improve farm management. 8. Livestock Veterinarians Livestock animal veterinarians are needed to help animals stay healthy and safe. They need to be able to treat animals of all kinds, from livestock to pets. Veterinary medicine is a growing field, with most of the population owning a pet or animal of some kind. Veterinarians can specialize in small, large, or exotic animals, depending on their experience and preference. Animal veterinarian usually have a bachelor's degree in a field related to animal science, then go on to veterinary school to graduate with their degree in veterinary medicine. Veterinarians often work with other professionals in fields like genetics or nutrition to make sure animals are healthy. Veterinarians may work at zoos or wildlife centers where they'll need advanced degrees if they're working with exotic species like wildlife or marine animals. 9. Food Science Technicians Agricultural and Food Science Technicians perform a variety of tasks related to the development, production, and testing of agricultural products. They often work in laboratories or greenhouses where they conduct experiments on plants and animals. Agricultural technicians must have strong math skills to test soil composition, make charts and graphs that show results of tests, calculate amounts needed for fertilizer applications, and record data from laboratory tests in databases or tables. Agricultural and Food science technicians work may also include: Evaluating experimental results against expected outcomes based on formulas used during their development Analyzing water quality Collecting data about harvest yields for crops such as fruits/vegetables/grains grown commercially by farmers Using specialized computer programs Agricultural science technicians also develop new products through research and the use of existing technology. This requires knowledge about chemistry and biology. 10. Livestock Nutritionist If you enjoy working with animals and are good at math, a career as an animal nutritionist might be right for you! Animal nutritionists are responsible for calculating and determining the correct feed ration for livestock. They generally work on-farm, alongside farmers and ranchers. They need to have strong math skills, as there are a lot of calculations and formulas that are used to calculate the optimal feed ration for livestock. Animal nutritionists generally have a bachelor’s degree in a field related to animal science, and a master’s degree or PhD in animal nutrition. Conclusion The agricultural industry is a great place to find a rewarding career . There are many different types of careers that you can pursue and the industry is growing rapidly. From farm management to ranching to animal nutrition, there are hundreds of different career paths and niches to work in! We wish you the best in your search.