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

Autumn brings scavengers, protect your herd. It’s not just humans gathering the fall harvest for a long winter, it’s animals as well. Different regions, crops and livestock are susceptible to wild animals preparing for hibernation or looking to sustain their calorie intake. Wether you are raising cattle, goats, sheep, chickens or other livestock they are likely vulnerable to animal predators. Here are the four most common animal predators and how to avoid them on your land. Black Bear Geography for Black Bears Black bears (although they can be blonde, brown or even cinnamon in color) are found in nearly every state in America! Note, most black bears in states with snow on the ground will hibernate in winter. Black Bear Habitat Black bears can live in a variety of habitats and climates including forests, mountains, tundra, deserts and grassy areas. Threat from Black Bears Once the summer bear season has ceased, it’s time for the mammals to bulk up. Bears can spend to 18 hours a day scavenging for food before hibernation. Typically, a black bear will consume 5,000 calories per day, but come autumn, they can consume up to 20,000 calories per day. There is a term called “hyperphagia” which describes the bears’ incessant hunger and need for food. This means livestock is at the greatest risk in fall months. Black bears typically kill livestock by biting the neck of the victim, and then will tear, maul and even mutilate carcasses. This is the easiest identifier of bear attacks. Signs around the animal can include scat and a bedding-down area. How to avoid Bear Bearsmart.com is one of the best resources for sustainable solutions between bears and livestock. Their first recommendation is to clean up the area, don’t leave items that will attract or even confuse the bear. “Secure bear attractants or locate them — especially crops, calving areas, boneyards and feed storage areas — away from forest edges and bear travel routes. Creating open “buffer” zones (100 m is recommended) between potential attractants and the places bears are most likely to frequent decreases the likelihood that bears will approach your chickens and pigs.” Next, they recommend bringing livestock, especially smaller animals, inside at night. For larger areas such as fields and farms, they suggest a variety of deterrents, “Including noise-making pyrotechnics, strobe lights, electronic sirens, or scarecrows to temporarily repel bears. (Keep in mind that long-term and repetitious use of these devices may render them ineffective, and dominant older bears may not be repelled by these devices at all.)” Electric fencing can be an affordable investment towards livestock safety. Bearsmart.com notes that, “A well-maintained and well-grounded electric fence can keep bears out of crops, bee hives, feed storage areas, and lambing and calving grounds. Calves, goats, geese and especially sheep, pigs and chickens are all vulnerable.” A popular option is a guard dog or animal. Most ranchers and farmers opt for dogs, but donkey and llamas can also help prevent bear attacks. “For protection of livestock against black bears in particular, well-trained guard dogs such as Great Pyrenees or Black Mounted Curs appear to be most effective.” Grizzly Bear Same information as black bear; however, beware, grizzly bears are not nearly as shy of humans as black bears. Be prepared and safe. Additionally, grizzlies are most commonly found in Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Washington Mountain Lion AKA: Puma, Cougar, Catamount Mountain Lion Geography Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, North Dakota, Texas, and Florida. Mountain Lion Habitat Their usual habitat is steep, rocky canyons or mountainous terrain; however, they are adaptable, and young males, typically scouting new territory can wander thousands of miles. The large feline can be found in deserts, coastal forests, and from sea level to 10,000-foot elevations; they are adaptable and are even spotted in suburban and urban areas. Threat from Mountain Lion Attacks Mountain lions will pray and eat on almost anything! The list includes sheep, goats, cattle, horses, house cats, dogs, pigs, and poultry. According to Wildlife Damage Management, “Damage is often random and unpredictable, but when it occurs, it can consist of large numbers of livestock killed in short periods of time.” They also note that, “Mountain lions cause about 20% of the total livestock predation losses in western states annually. Sheep, goats, calves, and deer are typically killed by a bite to the top of the neck or head. Broken necks are common. Occasionally, mountain lions will bite the throat and leave marks similar to those of coyotes.” How to Protect from Mountain Lion Attacks The Wildlife Damage Management recommends the following methods to deter mountain lions. Exclusion: Install heavy woven-wire or electric fences to protect poultry and domestic animals of high value. Cultural Methods: Remove brush and timber near farm or ranch buildings. Frightening: Night lighting, blaring music, or barking dogs may repel lions. Trapping: Each State has different laws. Other Methods: The use of hounds trained to trail and tree lions is very effective. Coyotes Where to find Coyotes Coyotes are everywhere! Every State in America has coyotes. Coyote Habitat You’ve probably heard a coyote howl at night before, even in urban settings. They live in family units and sleep in dens. They can live in open plains and prairies, deserts, forests, woodlands, coastlines, suburbia, and cities. Risk of Coyote Attacks Wildlife Damage Management notes that, “Coyotes normally kill livestock with a bite in the throat, but they infrequently pull the animal down by attacking the side, hindquarters, and udder. On small lambs, the upper canine teeth may penetrate the top of the neck or the skull. Calf predation by coyotes is most common when calves are young.” How to Protect from Coyote Attacks According to Project Coyote, your best line of defense is a fence. “But predators can penetrate a fence by digging under, jumping between wires, crawling through holes, or jumping over,” explains the organization. “Absolute predator-proof fencing, although possible, is generally cost prohibitive; however, woven wire fencing in good repair will deter many predators from entering pastures, especially if vertical stays are no more than six inches apart and horizontal wires are spaced two to four inches apart at the bottom. Although more expensive than high-tensile electric fences, woven wire has many advantages and should be considered for perimeter fences.” Another tactic is fladry which is a line of rope mounted along a fence line with hanging strips of red nylon flags, according the Coyote Project. “The flags frighten predators, making them unwilling to cross the line. Fladry lines were traditionally carried by wolf hunters in Eastern Europe to drive wolves to areas where they could then be killed. Studies show that fladry can deter wolves for several months.” And, of course, dogs, donkeys and llamas offer good herd protection from coyotes. Check out our post on llamas vs alpacas. Badgers Where to find Badgers The American Badger’s typical range is throughout the Great Plains and the Western United States, and true to the University of Wisconsin college moniker, Wisconsin does indeed have the greatest number of badgers. Badger Habitat The small mammal prefers open, dry grasslands (crops!), but can be very adaptable and found in woods, seaside cliffs and even quarries. Risk from Badger Attacks Their biggest threat is to small lambs and poultry. Badgers’ main diet is primarily pocket gophers, ground squirrels, prairie dogs and mice. However, given the opportunity, they will prey on vulnerable populations. They can also be very destructive and dig holes one to two feet wide and up to nine feet deep. Watch where you step! How to keep Badgers Away The most efficient means to stop badger invasion is to construct a wire mesh fence. This might not always be feasible due to land size. Other deterrents include purchase and installation of solar lights that can flash on (some even with eyes) that will spook the critter. Badgers are territorial and don’t like others in their space. Motion sensor lights and changing their direction every now and then are helpful tools. Garden scarecrows or other “scare” tactics posted around the fields are said to be quite helpful, and need rotation as well. An unconventional method - spray human, male urine. Dilute the liquid with water in a 1:4 ratio to help tame the smell, and use a watering can or sprayer to maintain discretion. The “old wives’ tale” barrier fades away in five to seven days, meaning you will have to repeat once a week and immediately after it rains. Raccoons Where do Raccoons Live Raccoons are native to North America and found throughout Canada, Mexico and the United States. Raccoon Habitat They like to live in wooded areas but are very adaptable and can live in most environments. They are nocturnal and live in dens, trees, and other hollow places close to food and water. Risk of Raccoon Attack As a smaller predator they pose an extra threat to poultry as they can reach through chicken wire, pull apart fencing, dig under or move logs or rocks. How to keep Raccoons Away One of the most effective ways to keep them out of the coop is to use live/electric chicken netting fencing. You can also secure the inner coop with small metal mesh. You can also choose to make the chicken entry small so that they can not fit into the coop. You might also choose to add lighting with a motion detector. That might not keep them out but it will be a deterrent. Fox Where to find Fox Fox are found worldwide from deserts, grasslands, forests and even the cold Arctic. Fox Habitat Since they lives in such varied places its safe to say that they are very adaptable. They can adapt to live in many types of landscapes. Of course food and water are key to where they look to find a home. They are very territorial and will dig to make burrows called dens which can be generational. Risk from Foxes Young pigs, lambs and poultry are killed by fox. They can jump up to 3 ft but are dexterous and can also climb as well. How to keep Fox Away Protecting livestock from fox attack is where height of fencing matters. Fox are great jumpers. Shutting livestock in at night and or adding the tallest fence you can will help. Author: Julie Bielenberg, a writer and farmer on the western slope of Colorado.

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

Organic certified is currently the “gold standard” in food production when it comes to assuring consumers that the farm products they are purchasing were grown and processed using methods healthy for humans and the environment. The organic foods market in the U.S. was worth $55.1 billion in 2019, a healthy 5% over 2018 sales and the Covid pandemic accelerated organic food sales even higher. Consumers are looking for healthy foods and while there are many other “food labels” in the retail marketplace, “organic” is by far the most familiar one. Not surprisingly, many farm owners wonder whether what it will take to certify their farm as organic. Farms with more than $5,000 in gross sales annually cannot use the term “organic” when marketing their products without certification under the USDA National Organic Program rules. Whether your farm is growing fruits, vegetables, grains, flowers or any other crop, if you are thinking about certifying your farm as organic, here are six steps to move you through the process seamlessly: 1) Connect with Local Organic Certified Farms Reach out to your local farming community to talk with local organic farmers to learn about their certification processes before you commit. Your fellow organic farmers can be your best resource for the reality of organic certification process. They can help you decide if organic certification is enough of a benefit to your operation to pursue it. Other things to consider: Is there a demand in your local market for organic produce? Are most local farms organic certified or is nobody organic certified, meaning organic certification could be a feather in your cap (or not required) to help capture market share? What buying avenues will open up to you that might not be available without organic certification? Understand your investment - What does the process look like? How long did it take? How much did it cost? Which certifying agents should you use (or avoid)? A quick conversation asking your fellow farmers why their farms are (or aren’t) organic certified can give you better tools to make your decision and set you up for certifying success. 2) Find a Farm Organic Certifying Agent. Once you understand what organic certification will mean to you from your fellow farmers, your next step to organic certification is finding a organic certifying agent who will conduct your inspections. Organic certifying agents are also a great resource to help you prepare for certification. They can tell you if your land qualifies for organic certification immediately or if you need to go through some steps to get there (and what those steps look like). What is an Organic Certifier? Organic certifying agents are organizations or entities (and sometimes states) that the USDA has accredited to inspect and approve organic certification applications. There are nearly 80 certifying agents, so there are many to choose from. Make sure to compare rates (they can vary) and also ask if that particular agent has experience certifying the type of farming business your operation is. 3) Find Grants for Organic Certification Becoming an organic certified farm can be costly. There are fees for certification itself and you may have to change or implement new farming practices or to meet organic standards. There are, however, grants for organic certifications and fee-offset programs to help farmers make the transition to organic certification. Many farmers have taken advantage of financial resources to help them cover certification fees and offset new management practices. Keep in mind, if you are hoping to certify ground that has previously had non-organic products used on it, certification requires a documented three-year transition period before that land can be certified organic. To kick off your research into potential avenues to help offset organic transition costs check out this post by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Center and this post by the USDA on cost-share programs to help farmers cover certification fees. 4) Create an Organic System Plan An organic system plan details how the producer (or processor) will comply with the organic regulations. Organic system plans will differ significantly depending on the type of operations. Still, they should address all practices that could jeopardize organic certification, including tilling, grazing, harvesting, fertility management, storing, packaging, handling and transport. An organic system plan should list the inputs used on the farm and make sure they are accepted under the Organic Materials Review Institute. A certifying agent can typically help a farm put together an organic management plan and review your plan to ensure you didn’t miss any critical elements. 5) Follow Your Organic Plan Once you have your organic plan in place, start following it! This might involve changes to how you were farming, or perhaps you were practicing “organic standards” before you wrote your plan down. Either way, you need to follow your plan and, crucially, document everything you do. Save all your records as far as receipts (for purchases and sales) and document your farming practices as you perform them. This will help streamline your reporting processes and simplify any reviews or farm audits. 6) Get Organic Certified with an Inspect The final step in certification is scheduling an inspection with your certifying agent. A certifying agent will come when your farm is actively producing to inspect your operations while working (versus during the winter). They will require a paper trail and conduct an audit to ensure you have followed your organic certification plan. Once the initial certification has been received, an inspection is conducted yearly to keep your certification current. For more information on becoming organic certified, check out this site including an “Organic 101” series produced by the USDA. Georgie Smith, known in her community as “Farmer Georgie,” is a fourth-generation farmer and journalist living on her family’s historic farm on a Pacific Northwest island. She ran her own small farm for more than 20 years. These days, when she’s not herding chickens, fixing the antique tractor (again) or growing heirloom dry beans, Georgie writes about farming. Georgie is passionate about supporting healthy, equitable and sustainable food production and thriving family farms. www.farmergeorgiewrites.com Need help tracking your organic certification? Let Farmbrite help!

If you’ve gotten your farm or ranch organically certified, you know that a lot of detailed record keeping is required. To ensure success, you need to be diligent about tracking, gathering, and storing data. Equally important, you need to be able to efficiently access years of archived information. With Farmbrite, you can track, store, and access the data you need for certification – and recertification – all in one place. You can even update and access this data from the field using your smartphone. Whether you’re collecting data for your first organic certification application, or have years of experience, Farmbrite can help. To learn how, let’s look at some Farmbrite features and explore how they can benefit specific aspects of the certification process. If you haven't already read it, check out our 6 step guide to becoming organic certified. Farm mapping for organic certifications In this USDA-provided Organic System Plan template, the first information requested after filling in your “State” and “County” is a map. Mapping your farm is easy in Farmbrite. To ensure accuracy, Google maps are built in. Farmbrite helps you identify the borders of your farm or ranch and color code items like property boundaries, fields, beds, buildings as well as animal and growing enclosures. Once you’ve marked these areas, you can print your customized map or save it as PDF to share – or to edit further in other applications. Reports for Organic Farms In the certification application process you need to provide information about what you’re doing today, AND detail what’s taken place on your farm in the past. How quickly and easily can you access production practice information and management history for the last 3 years? Not everyone can immediately recall all the details from memory; some of us struggle simply to find where we saved specific files in the file cabinet or on the hard drive. It’s a lot easier if all the information is in one place. Farmbrite stores historical data – and so much more – and lets you access it in a variety of reports. In addition to general accounting reports, which provide visibility into things like “Profit & Loss” and “Spending by Category,” other reports are livestock- or crop-specific. Check out the dozens of pre-built standard farm reports that are included with Farmbrite, including some that provide a break down of all your cropping activities to assist with and streamline your certification or audit process. Crop Traceability As a grower, every aspect of your internal and external farm traceability information can be stored in Farmbrite. This includes seed-to-harvest records; lot numbers, batch numbers, trace numbers, grade, and more. You can track soil treatments and amendments as well as pest and disease treatments with detailed notes and images. Once this information is stored, it can be easily accessed at any time through Farmbrite’s standard farm reports or can be included in any custom report you create. Livestock Reporting Livestock operations are also fully supported, but through their own unique set of standard reports. From feed and nutrition records to grazing rotation practices, Farmbrite simplifies recording and organizing the vital details of any livestock business and provides dozens of pre-built farming reports to help you understand the key aspects of your cattle, sheep, goat, chicken or other livestock business as well as to simplify data gathering and organic certification reporting. Custom Farm Reports We’re not know-it-alls and we recognize that every agricultural operation has unique needs and data requirements. We don’t think we know everything about your business. And while Farmbrite is uniquely responsive to customer suggestions of what to add next, we also left the keys out for you. With custom reports, you can create your own report to look at different aspects of your farm data and help answer any questions you might have. We believe this kind of flexibility is essential, as no one knows your business like you do. Creating a new, customized report is easy and flexible and allows you to choose what data to include, how to organize and summarize your data and even include charts and graph. Learn more about building custom farm reports in Farmbrite. Sharing your Farm Data Throughout Farmbrite and in all reports you can easily print or download your data. Data can be exported and used in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets or any spreadsheet program. It can also be used to import your farm data into other applications you might use, like Quickbooks. Learn more about downloading your farm data from Farmbrite. This means you can easily copy all the data you captured in Farmbrite into other documents (including forms and applications) as necessary. You can also import this data into nearly any software, so you’re never constrained or locked into any one workflow or process. Beyond Reports In addition to maps and reports, many other areas of Farmbrite can also facilitate the kind of record keeping required for organic certification (and recertification). For example: Farmbrite’s farm schedule, calendar, and task list all capture day-to-day actions that are crucial parts of the production practices you need to track. Everything you record under “Equipment” – from how long you’ve had a piece of machinery, to where it’s been used, and how it was cleaned – can be pertinent. Farm Inventory and farm input usage and details The QR codes Farmbrite associates with your fields, crops, equipment and animals can help you track pertinent information, both in the field and the office. And more... Additional Benefits Farm Data - Easy In, Easy Out Farmbrite makes it easy to capture and report on all you farm activities, even when you're offline. Tip: Don’t like to type? You can enter data in Farmbrite using speech-to-text functionality that’s built into today’s computer and smartphone operating systems. Once you enter data in Farmbrite, it’s at-hand whenever you’re near a computer or your smartphone. Whether you need to simply refresh your memory, copy and paste some text, or export some reports, the information you need is just a few clicks away. Farmbrite also reduces the need to reenter information you’ve already entered once, increasing efficiency and minimizing the frustration of double entry. What if Requirements Change? We're here to help and grow with you. We know that requirements for any kind of certification can change over time and that sometimes it seems like you’re dealing with moving targets. Not to worry, Farmbrite is adaptable, flexible and customizable for your operation. In addition to offering open-ended features like customized reports, Farmbrite itself is improving all the time, and we always welcome your input. Have a great idea or need help, contact us anytime. Wherever you are in the organic certification process, thank you for your good work. If we can help. Just let us know. Not sure if Farmbrite will work for your farm or have additional questions? Check out our extensive help documentation or join us for a free demo or training, we'd love to help you with your farming goals. Not using Farmbrite yet? Try it for free today and see how it can streamline your organic certification or recertification process.

Vegetable, Herb & Flower Plant Spacing Guide The right plant spacing for your vegetables, herbs and flowers is critical and ensures that each plant has room to develop, gets adequate light and limits pest and weed pressure. Unfortunately finding a comprehensive and reliable source for crop spacing information is hard. But, fortunately for you our team has scoured the internet and compiled a comprehensive guide for you. Whether you're planting a vegetable garden or growing for market planning your crop spacing this year just got a whole lot easier. Use this guide to help determine the right plant spacing for common vegetables, herbs and flowers. With this guide it's easy to grow crops from seed or starts. The chart below helps you calculate your planting depth, row spacing and plant spacing. It also gives some other helpful planting information like: Plant spacing & seed depth Average days to maturity Average days to emerge Preferred light profile When to start before last frost [1] Ideal planting method and details Preferred USDA hardiness zone Expected yield per 100 feet Plant Spacing Guide Here's a sample of the plan spacing for common vegetables, flowers and herbs. Check out the free downloadable plant spacing guide for more details. If you're looking to improve your plantings, give Farmbrite a try. This information is already preloaded into Farmbrite and makes planning your market garden and managing your growing season a snap. We'll even help you calculate seed needed, estimate crop yields and revenue and help you run a more efficient and productive farm. Here is a downloadable vegetable, herb & flower planting chart for your reference. Happy Farming! [1] Don't forget to adjust for weather and frost dates in your area.

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

It has been said repeatedly that agriculture is the backbone of the economy. It is for this reason that many countries are investing in agriculture. Over the years, technology has been used to improve the yield on a farm. More farmers are embracing technology and incorporating it into the running of their activities. Here are some of the advancements that have made significant strides in the improving farming: Drones in Agriculture Drones have been used in many areas, and they are finally being used in agriculture as well. Drones come attached with sensors that help monitor crops to see if they need irrigation or pesticide spraying. They are also used in livestock farming to check on livestock in the field and their water points. Doing this ensures that the farmers and farmhands do not have to go into the field to see what is happening physically. They can do this in the comfort of their homes and figure out what needs to be done on the farm. It saves precious time and makes managing a farm easier. Soil Moisture Sensors Some crops need a specific amount of moisture to thrive. Overwatering them might drown the plants and cause a loss in the yield. Not giving them enough water, on the other hand, can also lead to the plants wilting. For this reason, it is vital to have software that senses the moisture content on the soil. Farmers will know when to water the garden and just how much water to use. It helps keep the crops healthy and helpful when you want to conserve water usage on the farm. Harvest & Processing Technology If there is one thing that takes a while to do on the farm, it has to be harvesting. When manual laborers are used, it might take days to clear a single farm. It is for this reason that tractors were made to aid with the process. These tractors are specially designed to help harvest specific crops on the farm at a faster rate. For farmers who cannot afford to buy their own, they can hire them at a fee. The amount of money spent on hiring the tractor is way lower than the money spent paying manual laborers. It also ensures that crops do not go bad in the field and lower the expected yield from the farms. Livestock GPS Trackers Livestock tend to wander off in the fields. Sometimes they even go as far as jumping over fences to the neighboring fields. In such situations, marking your livestock is beneficial. People would brandish their cattle in the past, but this practice was discouraged because it is animal torture. Present-day technology has introduced GPS tracking chips for livestock. Once installed, the owner can view the real-time location of their cattle. Whenever one wanders away from the herd, getting them back is easier and faster. Farming Cameras Big farms are often at risk of theft. Farmers are currently investing in technology that will ensure their farms stay secure at all times. Electric fences might not work due to the safety of the livestock, but security cameras have been created to handle such scenarios. Installing several of these will ensure that you can monitor your cattle without any issues. You can also add a couple of floodlights to ensure your entire farm is lit at night so that trespassers stay away. Autonomous Farming Technology While agricultural advancements like tractors reduce the number of people working on a farm, unmanned tech takes this even further. A computer can control some farm machinery, and this goes for drones too. The equipment will carry out its duties as per the programming instructions. It ensures that the farmhands can concentrate on other things and let the tech run the show on the farm. Farming is being revolutionized with the addition of technology to it. One way to ensure this keeps on happening is by incorporating such tech in the farms. It ensures that product yield increases while lowering the cost of production. Every farm is different, and the owners should do their research on what works for them. It will make the investment made on the property worth it. Paige Williams is a Public Relations Specialist representing AKRS.com. With a degree in Integrated Marketing Communication, she shares her knowledge with the readers. Can be reached at cwilliams@highervisibility.com Need help tracking of your farm equipment, farm drones or other agricultural technology, give Farmbrite a try.

Cow gestation period (length of pregnancy) last on average is 283 days, however this period does vary based on the breed of the cow and the sex of the calf. While the average length of a cow pregnancy lasts for 283 days, calving for older and larger cows usually happens 10 days later. Smaller and younger cow's pregnancy may last 10 days less. The typical gestation period for cattle ranges from 279 to 287 days (up to 291 for Brahman cattle). Cow Gestation Calculator The cow gestation calculator is a simple tool to help you find the start of the calving period and the end of the postpartum interval for both first-time and repeat calvers. How to use the cow gestation calculator? To use the cow gestation calculator you’ll need to provide: Enter the date your cows were or will be exposed to the bull to estimate the possible fertilization date or if your cows were or will be inseminated using artificially insemination (AI), enter the exact date of insemination. Select whether you cows are first-calvers (the cow’s very first pregnancy) or repeat calvers (she’s an old pro). The cow gestation calculator will provide you with the estimated calving start date and the end of the postpartum interval period. To accurately calculate the expected due date for your cows for the cow's pregnancy it is important to keep detailed and accurate records about when your cows may have been exposed to a bull, artificially insemination or had a confirmed pregnancy through an ultrasound. Learn more about keeping livestock records. How is the cow calving date or due date calculated ? As we mentioned above, the average cattle gestation for most breeds is 283 days, although it may last anywhere from 279 to 287 days. The calf gestation calculator uses the following formula: Calving start = Day when exposed to bull or AI + 283 days The calving calculator uses an average postpartum interval period that lasts 50-60 days: End of postpartum interval period = Calving + 55 days The gestation calculator also adjusts the dates for first time or repeat calvers since cows that are pregnant with their first calf usually have longer postpartum periods: End of interval period = Calving + 65 days Gestation table for cattle Check out this easy to reference gestation table for cows with a Free downloadable PDF version. How soon after calving can a cow get pregnant again? On average a cow can be bred again (through artificial insemination or natural service) after about 60 days on average, but your cows may take 90 days or longer to come in heat again after calving. Because of the length of gestation, after cow calves they only have about 80 days to become pregnant again in order to calve again within 12 months. How soon a cow can get pregnant again after calving depends greatly on how soon the cow comes to heat again. This is largely determined by the breed, age, condition score and feed management and weight of the cow before and after calving. Some key factors that impact the length of this period are: Cow body condition at time of calving. Cows with a score less than 4 (on a 1-9 scale) typically have longer postpartum periods. The age of age of cow Difficulty or stress during the calving process Proper nutrition and feed management to maximize milk production and minimize weight loss First time cows often have longer recovery times that more mature cows In order to minimize the time between pregnancies it’s important to ensure that the cow is well cared for (good nutritional management and is well fed) before, during and after pregnancy. This will support their expected weight loss from pregnancy, support milk production and minimize weight loss and recovery times of the cow. Once a cow comes in heat again, she will typically be in heat on average, every 21 days. Additional Resources Pregnant cows, timing of pregnancy, open cows, pregnancy rate from University of Nebraska Pregnancy testing of beef cattle Gestation Table for cows Printable Gestation Cattle Table Chart Guide to cattle record keeping Nutrition for a pregnant cow Heat Detection and Timing of Insemination for Cattle Common complications with calving Free Downloadable Cattle Record Keeping Book

Did you know that the growth of flower farmers and the sales of fresh cut flowers have been booming in recent years. So whether you grow vegetable, fruits, berries, meat, milk shares or herbs adding flowers to your crop plan can be a great way to boost sales at the market and add extra value to your customers. Flowers are a great option to sell at the farmers market. Not only are they beautiful but you can make a fair profit on them. You have the option to sell loose cut flowers as well as making up bouquets to have on-hand. Other farmers at market might also be selling flowers but by making your bouquets unique will help you stand out and bring more people to your booth. Here is a list of the top 10 flowers to grow on your flower farm and sell at market: Peonies A showy flower that makes a lasting impression. Growing tip: They like full sun and neutral PH soil. Zinnias A very easy flower to grow. They grow quickly and bloom heavily. Growing tip: Do not seed until the last frost has passed. Cosmos A free flowering annual that is extremely easy to grow. Growing tip: Don't over water. Tulips A spring blooming perennial that grows between 4-28 inches tall in many different colors. Growing tip: Plants the bulbs deep; 8 inches. Plant different varieties with varying bloom times. Sunflowers A big, bright large stemmed flower and can grow over 16 feet tall. Growing tip: Plant in full sun. They are heliotropic, and follow the sun through the day. Roses An oldie but a goodie. Growing tip: Deadhead to keep them blooming and wear sturdy gloves. Snapdragons A short-lived perennial that may not come back every year. They come in wide variety of colors and heights. Growing tip: They prefer cooler soil so don't use a seed mat. Cornflowers Also called bachelor's button. It is an annual that grows about 1-3 feet in height. Growing tip: Drought tolerant once established they will benefit from mulching with bark. Irises A showy perennial flower that is either a bulb or rhizome. Growing tip: Especially bearded irises do not like shade. Calla Lillies These can be a little challenging to grow but are well worth it once they get going. Growing tip:  Watch the watering. Too much can cause pythium.  Flower farming can offer big opportunities to increase existing sales or to get started in agriculture. So whether you're thinking of starting a flower farm or you have extra growing space, adding flowers to your farm can bring a profit and make your market booth look more appealing. This list is a great place to start but keep your eyes out for types of flowers that no one is selling and bring those. Whatever you don't sell you can always sell to the local florist.   Happy Farming! Farmbrite helps flower farmers know more, grow more and sell more cut flowers.

Cow Gestation Period An average cow gestation period (length of cow pregnancy) lasts on about 283 days, however this period does vary based on the breed of the cow and the sex of the calf. Keeping reading to learn more about cow gestation periods and download our free cow gestation period table to simplify estimating calving dates. If you're breeding cattle it's important to know when the calves might come. Depending on weather and other care considerations this information becomes important to the health of the cow and the calf. In this article we've provided some information for you to help find these dates. Average Cow Gestation Period While the average cow gestation period is 283 days, calving for older and larger cows usually happens 10 days later. Smaller and younger cow's pregnancy may last 10 days less. The typical gestation period for cattle ranges from 279 to 287 days (up to 291 for Brahman cattle). Check out the gestation table for cattle below to estimate your cow's due date based on their date of service. You can also use our Free Cow Gestation Calculator to estimate for you or print this downloadable cattle gestation period table. Cow Gestation Period Table Based on 283 day cow gestation period Thanks so much for taking a look at our article about cow gestation periods. We hope this helps make this process easier for you. Below we've listed some other free resources to check out. Other Free Cattle Resources: Free Cow Gestation Calculator Free Downloadable 74 page Cattle Record Keeping Book Beginners Guide to Buying Cattle Guide to Keeping Livestock Records Estimating Cattle Hay and Feed Needs Top Breeds of Cattle for your Ranch Cattle Body Condition Scoring

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

If you are thinking about starting a cattle herd, you're in the right place. Selecting the right breed of cattle is critical to your operation. And since you'll be investing both time and money into these animals you'll want to make sure you invest in the right breeds of cattle. In this post we'll help take some of the guess-work out of choosing the right cattle breed for your operation. But before choosing from the varied different breeds of cows for your farm, remember to develop goals for your farm and have a plan. The more you do your homework and research, check out breed association sites, talk to neighbors about the breeds of cattle they raise, the better informed you'll be and by taking the extra steps to gather all the information you can, the better, more informed decision you'll make. How to choose the right cattle breeds? There are a lot of details and breeds of cattle to consider in this process. What we're going to cover here is mostly about breed information, but here are some of the other key factors to know (and research) when choosing between cattle breeds. Are you raising cattle for beef or dairy? Goals for production and yield Budget for purchases and operating costs Revenue & profit goals Breeds for your climate Land & grazing area requirements Feed & other operation costs Ease of management & breeding Access to breeding stock (via auction or other means) There are many other operational and financial details to consider and weigh during this process. We suggest taking your time and investing wisely. In this article we'll cover the different types of cows, breeds of cows, specific beef cattle breeds and more. To start you off let's take a look at some of the top cow breeds you may want to consider. Angus Cattle Angus are among the top beef cow breeds, this breed was once thought to be a freak without horns (poll breed) but are now very popular breed. The basics: Mature bulls weigh about 1,800 lbs and a cow weighs about 1,200 lbs. They are solid black or red in color, sometimes with a small amount of white behind the navel scar. They are a good solid choice among beef cattle breeds for beef production. Pros: Ease Angus are moderately sized, muscular animals, well known for meat production. They are widely crossbreed to improve beef and milk quality. Their meat is prized in the beef market because of it's marbling. They have white fat and bright-red lean meat. Cons: They have varied temperaments. They do not like heat and will need some shade) but they have longevity, are adaptable, fertile, are readily available and often get a high value at the sale barn. Read more from the Angus Association Holstein Friesian Holstein Friesian or just Friesian are a type of cow originally bred in Europe and is a very popular breed for dairies. The basics: A mature bull weighs about 2,500 lbs and a mature cow about 1,300 lbs. They are are easily recognized by their distinctive coloring of black and white or red and white. Pros: They are known for their amazing output of milk, butter and large yields of beef. They are an affordable cow that you might easily find stock for in your area. They mature early and are easy to milk. Typical calves weigh about 90 pounds at birth. Holsteins typically have about a 6 year productive life span. On average Holsteins produce about 17,000 lbs of milk, 600 lbs pounds of butterfat and 550 lbs of protein per year. Cons: This cow can be high maintenance. So we advise doing more research on this breed. It's been known to take more feed to meet their nutritional needs due to their high output of milk. Read more from the Holstein Association Hereford The Hereford cow is a friendly and easy going breed among other breeds of cattle. They are known for their beef. The basics: Hereford cows have white faces and an easy-going disposition which makes them easy to care for and almost like pets. A mature bull can weigh about 1,800 lbs and a mature cow weights about 1,200 lbs. Pros: Herefords do well in a wide range of pastures, conditions and feed. They are typically easily to breed, grow fast, with high fertility rates and are relatively docile. Herefords can produce top-quality beef with high yields, good marbling and fat. They are very hardy, have good heat and cold tolerance. Cons: This breed can need a little sun protection at times because of their coloring. They are sometimes hard to come by and not cheap but a great option if you can find them. Read more from the Hereford Association Brown Swiss The Brown Swiss is known more for their milk production than beef. They make excellent butter, are very hardy and docile. They are big and live a long time. The basics: A mature bull weights about 2,000 lbs and a mature cow weighs about 1,300-1,400 lbs. Brown Swiss are sought after by milk producers for their high quality milk with high protein and butter fat. Their milk is prized by cheese makers because of their volume of milk and protein. Brown Swiss have some of the best fat-to-protein ratio of any of the dairy breeds for most cheese production. Pros: Brown Swiss are strong, solid breeders, robust, adaptable and live a long time. They are a good choice for both meat and dairy farms and provide good yields of both. Cons: They do take longer to mature. Make sure that you are getting them from a good source and they are not a freemartin. Read more from the Brown Swiss Association Charolais The Charolais is a french breed that is a great beef producer. They are adaptable to most climates, and have rapid growth, lean tender meat but they do sometimes have calving issues, are a bit more high maintenance. The basics: They are typically white with a pink muzzle. They are medium to large framed beef cattle with a broad body. Mature bulls weigh 2,000-2,500 lbs and a mature cow weighs 1,250-1,600 lbs. Pros: Charolais are good milkers. They are typically quick to mature and an efficient feedlot breed with a high feed conversion rate. Charolais are easy to calve and are adaptable to various feed types. Cons: They can be aggressive or unpredictable so seek a reputable breeder. Read more from the Charolais Association Galloway The Galloway or belted galloway is primarily a beef cow but have also been known to be milked and used for their hides. The basics: Galloway cattle are commonly black, but can be found with red coloring. They are a medium to large cattle breed that is best known for meat production as they are poor milkers. The bulls have an average weight about 770 lbs and cows weigh in at about 450 lbs. Pros: They are a little smaller than some other breeds so better if you have less space. They are adaptable to all types of climates and are naturally hornless. They are the weed eaters, have an easy time calving, can calve until age 15 or 20, produce lean/low fat meat and have rich butter. Cons: They have beens know to have a unique hatred of dogs, heat stress can become a problem in some climates, and are slow to grow. Read more from the Galloway Association Simmental The Simmental is an easy going beef or dairy cow. It has a large frame and can almost be pet like if raised that way. The basics: Simmental cattle are bred all over the world for their high beef production. Cows can weigh around 1,700 lbs and bulls about 2,800 lbs. Pros: They are quick to mature, easy to handle and have very good feed conversion rates. Very adaptable and not easily stressed, they are a great breed for beef production. They are heavy, well-muscled animals and produce a solid red meat with a minimum of waste fat. They can live relatively long, have a high fertility rate, are easy to calve and allow for short periods between calving and the cows make excellent mothers. Cons: It can be expensive to buy your stock, they sometimes have trouble calving due to their size and are prone to mastitis. So, it's recommended to purchase from reputable breeders. Read more from the Simmental Association Milking Shorthorn ​Milking or Dairy Shorthorns are known for their body structure and ease of calving. They have been bred in Great Britain since Roman times. It is an excellent choice for beef crossbreeding and cheesemaking. The basics: They mature early, are capable of living long productive lives and are efficient feed to milk converters. A mature bull weights 1,800-1,400 lbs and a mature cow about 1,200-1,400 lbs. Their coats can be white, red or a blend of red and white. They have easy calving and produces large quantities of milk. Pros: They are a versatile breed and have a calm disposition. Unlike other dairy cattle breeds, Shorthorns started as a dual purpose breed for both milk and meat. Milk production averages 3.8% fat and 3.5% protein. Cons: They can have some genetic issues so buy from a reputable breeder. Read more from the Milking Shorthorn Association Scottish Highland Small, hairy and horned. This breed has been raised in North America mostly for novelty although it has a lot to offer. Their ability to produce top quality meat without the need for extra inputs and feed makes them a great breed choice for those looking to produce high quality beef with only natural inputs. The basics: Besides being adorable, Highland cattle can be used for milk on a small scale, they produce about 2 gallons per day per cow. They are primarily a beef cattle breed that produces a lean meat that is well marbled and normally rated as premium beef. Mature Highland bulls can weigh around 1,800 lbs and cows about 1,100 lbs. Pros: Highland cattle are typically very docile, low stress and are easy to keep and manage. It has lean meat, and functions as a low input animal. It has good dairy quality as well for both cheese and butter and is well suited for cold climates. They can thrive in extreme climates and pasture conditions where other breeds may fail. They are an exceptionally hardy cattle breed that can convert poor grazing areas, efficiently because they are natural foragers. They calve easily and produce calves between 50-75 lbs. Cons: They tend to have a strong dislike of confinement, horns and poor heat tolerance and other issues that come with long haired animals. Read more from the Scottish Highland Association Ayrshire This breed is the current record holder for milk production. Their milk is the Goldilocks of rightness; not too rich and not too light. This is one of the larger breeds of cow. If you've got the space for it. They are strong, rugged and good at calving. The basics: Ayrshires are red and white in color. They have horns that can grow to more than a foot long, but most Ayrshires are dehorned as calves. Ayrshires are medium-sized cattle that can weigh over 1,200 lbs when mature. They are strong and adaptable cattle that work well for various dairy setups and milking parlors. Pros: Ayrshire are excellent foragers and can thrive in harsh feeding or climatic conditions. They are a great dairy cattle breed for varied climates and conditions and make for and outstanding commercial dairy cattle. Ayrshire calves are strong and easy to raise. and are excellent milk producers. Cons: They can have strong personalities and produce a moderate butterfat in their milk. Read more from the Ayrshire Association Gelbvieh The Gelbviegh is a medium to large size breed that was bred for dual purpose. The basics: They were originally bred for both milk and beef production and have exceptional udders and milking ability. They are a medium to large size cattle breed with above average muscling typically with reddish gold or black coloring. Pros: This is a very adaptable breed that can be well suited for arid climates with good heat tolerance. They are medium to large in size, docile, fertile and have a generally quiet demeanor. They produce high quality meat cuts and are reputed to have had the largest ribeye-muscle area of all breeds. They also produce high weaning weights Cons: Gelbvieh take a bit longer to mature. Some research has shown that animals with a lower ADG can tend to be more aggressive at the head gate. Read more from the Gelbvieh Association As you can see there are many things to take into consideration before purchasing your herd. Which type you choose comes down to your priorities, budget, space and management availability. It is highly recommended to speak with different breeders and take a look at the different associations for the cattle you're interested in before you purchase. We wish you the best in your endeavor! Below are more resources for you to take a look at during your research. And as always, Happy Farming! Resources There are many other breeds of cattle that are suited for beef or dairy operations, so be sure to do your research to find the best breed that will work for your goals. Check out these links to learn more. Other beef cattle breeds Additional dairy breed information List of cattle breed associations Tips on selecting the right breed Cattle Record Keeping Software Beginner's Guide to Buying Cattle Extensive list of cattle breeds from OSU Cattle Auction Tips The Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Livestock Records

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If you raise cattle, you want to make sure that they're healthy and happy. Here are some common diseases that affect cattle, as well as how to treat them so you can keep your animals healthy: Signs that your cattle may be sick It goes without saying that it is important to know the signs of cattle diseases so that you can keep them well. Some diseases are easy to identify, but other signs are more subtle. The symptoms of a disease can be physical or behavioral, and some may be both. So what are some common signs? Well, if your cow or bull has diarrhea or is coughing up mucus, that’s an obvious sign that something isn’t right with them. But there are some other things to look out for as well: Behavioral changes: Some cows will become restless and irritable when they have a fever; others become lethargic and stop eating altogether when they get sick (or even go into shock). Be especially aware if your cow starts acting out of character—this could mean she needs treatment immediately. Loss of appetite: This usually happens before any other type of symptom shows up because bovines tend to not eat when feeling under the weather. Keeping track of Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC) Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC) occurs mainly in young calves around weaning time. It is a respiratory tract infection that can have several causes, from bacterial to viral pathogens. Symptoms of BRDC include: • Depression and fatigue • Lack of interest in feed • Coughing • Head extension • Rapid, shallow breathing • Isolation from the rest of the herd • Fever Early identification and treatment of this disease is essential for the best chance of recovery. It is recommended that affected animals are quarantined to prevent the spread of the disease among the herd. Treatment of BRDC: Treatment includes injectable prescription antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. There are quite a few antibiotics to choose from, many of which are specific to local resistance levels. Check with your veterinarian to decide on the most effective one for your cattle. Pinkeye Pinkeye is a highly infectious disease that is formally known as bovine keratoconjunctivitis. It is a bacterial infection that affects the eyes and causes irritation. It is a common disease in cattle of all ages. The bacteria that cause pinkeye enter through an animal's tear ducts or nares (nostrils) and multiply rapidly on the surface of the eye. Affected animals may have watery eyes or discharge from their nostrils, along with crusting around their eyes and eyelids. This crusting is caused by heavy mucous production to keep out invading germs; however, it can lead to secondary infections if left untreated. Symptoms of pinkeye in livestock include: • Eyelid squinting • Tearing/watery eyes • Cloudiness over parts of the eye or the entire eye Treatment for pinkeye in cattle: Over-the-counter medications can be quite an effective treatment for pinkeye in cattle. Injectable antibiotic oxytetracycline can also help to alleviate this disease, as well as topical sprays and eye patches. Foot Rot in Cattle Foot rot is a bacterial infection that causes lameness in cattle. It's caused by a type of bacteria called Fusobacterium necrophorum, which can enter your cow's body through cuts or puncture wounds on her hooves. It's most common in the summer months, though it can occur at any time of year depending on conditions and the type of bacteria involved. Good hygiene practices are important for preventing foot rot as well as other diseases that affect your herd. Good hygiene for your livestock include: • Keeping pens clean • Keeping feeders clean and dry • Not over-crowding animals into pens or feeding areas • Avoiding dirty water sources like creeks or ponds (provide plenty of fresh water) Foot rot can spread quickly through your herd if left untreated—it’s important to know how to spot symptoms so you can take action before the situation gets out of control! Treatment for foot rot: Foot rot can be treated with antibiotics, which you can purchase from your vet. You should also examine the feet of your cattle to ensure they do not have foreign objects like nails or wire that could be contributing to the foot rot. Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) IBR is a contagious viral disease that affects cattle. It usually affects the respiratory tract and reproductive system of cattle. It is caused by a virus called bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1). This disease is highly infectious and can be prevalent in areas where cattle are in close contact with each other, such as feedlots and during transportation. Symptoms of IBR in Cattle: Symptoms of IBR include fever, nasal discharge, and eye discharge and ulcers on the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes. Other signs may include swollen lymph nodes, sudden onset of coughing, difficulty breathing or swallowing, loss of appetite, weight loss, and depression or lethargy. Treatment for IBR in Cattle: The most common treatment for IBR is antibiotics. These are used to alleviate secondary bacterial infections, as there is no treatment that targets the BHV-1 virus directly. It is also recommended to decrease stress, quarantine affect animals, and provide clean, sufficient feed and water to limit the spread of the disease. Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) BVD is a contagious disease in cattle that is caused by a virus. It is an economically important disease in cattle because it causes reduced milk production and weight gain in dairy cattle. BVD typically affects young calves between 3 weeks and three months old but can affect older animals as well. Symptoms of BVD: Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, depression, reduced milk production and weight gain in infected cows; diarrhea may also be present. Most often the illness resolves on its own within 2-3 weeks without treatment; however, mortality rates can be high if calves aren't treated properly during recovery. Treatment for BVD: There is no specific treatment that targets the virus responsible for BVD. However, antibiotics are commonly given to limit secondary bacterial infections and provide supportive treatment. Blackleg Blackleg is caused by Clostridium chauvoei, a bacteria that affects the muscles. The disease is not highly contagious, but it can be transmitted through contaminated feed or water. Symptoms of backleg in cattle: It causes lameness in cattle due to inflammation of the muscles and connective tissue, which results in rapid deterioration of muscle fibers and death of cells within them. How to treat backleg in cattle: Blackleg can be treated with antibiotics such as tiamulin or tylosin. Coccidiosis: Coccidiosis is a common disease in cattle that is caused by a protozoan parasite called Eimeria. The parasite infects the intestine of cattle and causes diarrhea, fever, listlessness and dehydration. Cattle can get this infection through contaminated feed or water. Symptoms usually appear within 7-10 days after exposure. Coccidiosis symptoms include: • Abdominal pain • Depression in eating or drinking • Fever (103-105°F) Treatment for Coccidiosis in cattle: Treatment includes supportive therapies such as giving fluids, and antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections. It is recommended that you isolate the affected cattle from the rest of the herd to prevent further spread of the disease. Johne's Disease: Johne’s Disease is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, weight loss, and chronic wasting in cattle. The spread of Johne's disease is thought to be due to the presence of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) in livestock feces. Symptoms of Johne's disease: The bacterium causes intestinal inflammation, which can lead to diarrhea and weight loss in animals with compromised immune systems or a chronic infection. Once an animal has been exposed to MAP, it will remain infected for life—or as long as it produces milk. However, the bacteria do not always cause clinical signs of illness in affected animals—this is why Johne’s disease is sometimes called “fatal perinatalitis.” Young animals that consume contaminated colostrum often die during their first few weeks after birth from dehydration caused by chronic diarrhea. Treatment for Johne's disease in cattle: Unfortunately, there is no treatment for Johne’s disease. It is recommended that you cull cows that test positive. White Muscle Disease: This disease is caused by a deficiency of the element selenium in the soil that cattle graze on. This results in cattle becoming deficient in this nutrient. Symptoms of white muscle disease in cattle: Selenium deficiency in young calves is called white muscle disease, and in older cattle, it manifests as reduced immune response. Lack of selenium causes muscle damage and stillborn or weak calves. Prevention for this disease includes selenium injections for newborn calves and adding mineral supplements to older cows’ feed rations. This will ensure that they receive a sufficient amount of selenium, even if the soil is lacking. Be aware, though, that 5-10 times the recommended levels of 0.2 ppm of selenium can cause toxicity in fully grown cattle. Here are a few other vaccinations you should consider. Treatment for white muscle disease in cattle: Treatment for White Muscle Disease includes giving affected calves and cattle sodium selenite and vitamin E in sterile emulsion. Conclusion Cattle are susceptible to a wide range of diseases and can often be accessed in their BCS. It's important to understand what diseases your cattle may be at risk of developing and how to treat them if they do. If you notice your cattle showing any symptoms listed above, contact your local livestock veterinarian as soon as possible. They will be able to diagnose and treat any diseases that might be present. Sources: https://extension.psu.edu/common-diseases-of-grazing-beef-cattle https://www.agriculture.com/livestock/cattle/how-to-spot-five-common-cattle-diseases https://www.zoetisus.com/conditions/beef/infectious-bovine-rhinotracheitis.aspx https://www.zoetisus.com/conditions/beef/bovine-viral-diarrhea-virus-type-1-and-type-2-_bvd_.aspx https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/coccidiosis-treatment-and-prevention-in-cattle.html https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/livestock/johnes-disease-in-beef-and-dairy-herds