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If you're growing crops, you know that harmful insects can be devastating to your plants and harvests. Depending on what you're growing and defending against, you have many organic and natural options at your disposal. The best way to fight off pests is to detect them early and fight them when their numbers are small. This involves monitoring your space and the early detection of pests. Use the scouting in Farmbrite or your Crop Management Software to track this. Unfortunately, pests can sometimes gain the upper hand and take over your crop. To get things back under control, we've gathered seven organic ways to fight pests on your farm. Companion Planting and Crop Rotation You can plant a highly deserable plant with one that discurages the pests. An example of a planting like this would be marigolds with tomatoes or garlic with broccoli. The scents of these plants are strong and deter pests from setting up home. To get started on this method, you will need to be strategic in your placement of plants together. There are some negative placements that can stunt growth, so do your research. Good Companion Plantings: Basil and tomatoes Radishes and lettuce Peas and carrots Pumpkins or squash and corn Beets and onions Potatoes and eggplants Carrots and onions Companion Plants to Avoid: Avoid planting beans with onions, chives, garlic, leeks, scallions, shallots, beets, sunflowers, or fennel. Avoid planting tomatoes with: potatoes, fennel, brassicas, cucumbers, rosemary, fennel, dill, other nightshades, or corn. Avoid planting c ucumbers with: squash, melons, zucchini, potatoes, sage, rosemary, basil, mint, or fennel. Avoid planting l ettuce with: brassicas, celery, and fennel. Avoid planting p eppers with: brassicas, fennel, potatoes, beans, and corn. Avoid planting asparagus: with alliums, garlic, potatoes, deep-rooted vegetables (carrots and beets), beans, and other perennials. Avoid planting garlic with: asparagus, beans, peas, parsley, sage, leeks, and onions.  Another method of effective pest reduction is crop rotation. This method is where you change the types of crops planted in a particular area each season. This practice disrupts the life cycle of pests that are specific to certain crops, making it harder for them to build up in the soil and in one area. Farmers can minimize the chances of pests becoming established in one area by rotating where they are growing. This will also help build your soil by building and not depleting it (bonus!). Natural Predators A smart way to keep pest populations down is by using their natural predators. Green lacewings and ladybugs are a few examples of beneficial insects that can naturally help reduce a variety of garden pests without pesticides. Green Lacewings are an insect predator that's best known for feeding on aphids, but their prey might also be other insects like caterpillars, mites, leaf-hoppers, and other soft-bellied insects. Lacewings have long, slender, light green bodies, long antenae, and golden eyes. They have 4 prominent wings, which are delicate looking, almost transparent, with lace-like veins throughout. Lacewing larvae are your best friend in the fight against pests. These larvae are called aphid lions and can consume about 200 to 300 aphids in the few weeks they grow into adults. Ladybugs are one of a handful of beneficial insects that play a key role in keeping down populations of harmful insects that can potentially devastate your crops. While they might look cute, ladybugs are fierce predators with a veracious appetite for aphids, eating up to 5,000 aphids over their lifetimes. In the wild, ladybugs can live for up to 2-3 years, so that's a lot of aphids. Farmers can introduce these beneficial insects to their fields, either by purchasing them from suppliers or by planting flowers and crops that attract them. By fostering a balanced ecosystem, farmers can significantly reduce pest populations without resorting to harmful chemicals. Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) Bacillus Thuringiensis or BT is a naturally occurring soil bacterium that produces a protein that is toxic to certain insects when ingested. It is rapidly deactivated by ultraviolet light and rain. This is not toxic to humans or other mammals, but certain strains may be toxic to insects like bees if ingested. Garlic Spray Instead of planting garlic, you might decide instead to spray the plant with garlic. To make garlic spray for your plants Supplies: Spray bottle Glass jar Cheesecloth or strainer Garlic, 4-5 cloves, crushed Water, 1 quart Dishwashing Soap, 4-5 drops Garlic Spray Instructions: Crush: Peel and crush garlic cloves.  Combine: Add the crushed garlic, water, and dish soap to a glass jar.  Steep: Allow the mixture to sit for 12-24 hours.  Strain: Strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer to remove the garlic pieces.  Store: Store the concentrated garlic spray in a glass jar.  Dilute: Before using, dilute the concentrate with water at a 1:10 ratio (1 part concentrate to 10 parts water).  Spray: Pour the diluted spray into a spray bottle and apply to plants, focusing on areas with pest infestations.  Frequency: Spray plants once a week or twice a week if it rains.  Timing: Avoid spraying when it's close to harvest time.  Test: Always test the spray on a small, inconspicuous area of the plant first to ensure it doesn't cause damage.  Diatomaceous Earth or DE Another way you can fight against pests is by using diatomaceous earth or DE. This fine powder can be sprinkled around plants or on pests. It is effective against pests that have a hard, waxy exoskeleton, like beetles. This powder is abrasive to pests and causes them to dehydrate. Unlike chemical insecticides, diatomaceous earth is naturally derived and considered non-toxic to humans and pets when used as directed. Spinosad This naturally occurring substance produced by soil bacteria fermentation is a broad-spectrum organic insecticide. Spinosad affects the nervous system of insects, causing paralysis. It is approved for use in organic farming on the Organic Materials Research Institute list and is generally considered safe to mammals, but it does have negative impacts on the environment. It's important to note that this is lethal to bees. Floating Row Covers Keep those rows covered with floating row covers . Row covers are a woven or plastic material that is placed over the growing area to protect and cover the plants. It is put over the crop at the time of planting and removed at harvest to keep the plant protected. These do have a few downsides, though. If you live in a windy place, these can blow off or even into trees or biodegrade and cause harm to the environment through microplastics. But you can use 100% cotton or wool instead of plastic. These covers are also not 100% effective from things that emerge from the ground or if you are covering an already infested spot. And for pollination, you will need to remove the covering. Raise the BRIX Level and Other Methods Raising the Brix level on plants (the sugar level) will help deter pests. Brix is the measure of sugar content is a plant's sap. Plants with a high Brix level are less palatable for insect attacks because they are healthier. A BRIX level of 12 or higher is best (measurements go from 0-20). You can measure this level with a refractometer that measures the concentration of dissolved solids in a liquid. This is especially useful in flowers and insects that are picky eaters. To raise Brix levels , optimize photosynthesis, making sure the plant gets enough sunlight. Trim surrounding plants back if necessary. Make sure that you have the correct balance of potassium, phosphorus, and trace elements. Add carbohydrates, like molasses, to the root zone (1 part to 5 parts water). When all else fails, you can use hand picking, pest traps, or broken rows of different plants used like fences between the same crop. Organic pest control methods offer farmers a diverse array of solutions that prioritize sustainability, environmental health, and crop vitality. By using natural predators, practicing crop rotation, applying plant-based sprays, and maintaining healthy soil, farmers can effectively manage pests while preserving the integrity of their land. Adopting organic pest control strategies is not only beneficial for the farm but also for the broader ecosystem, ensuring that future generations can continue to grow healthy, pesticide-free food. As consumer demand for organic products grows, these methods will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of agriculture. We wish you the best of luck in your planting season. Use Farmbrite to track what pests you've spotted, when and how you've treated your plants, and automatically set a reminder to retreat or follow up, as well as many other necessities for your crop treatments and agriculture software As always, Happy Farming! USDA Organic Pest Management Tipsheet Organic Pest Control Methods

Cattle auctions are thrilling. Sawdust, donuts, and a cup of tepid coffee. Multiple sales rings, fast-talking auctioneers, and restless, bawling cows. Bids coming fast and furious. It's auction day and it's easy to get caught up in the auction adrenaline! Before you know it, you're coming home with two adorable Jersey bull calves you didn't even mean to bid on. Thank goodness they're small and will fit in the back seat because you didn't bring the trailer! Cattle auctions can be a great place to make purchases for growing your cattle herd and growing your farm and ranch. But they can also encourage an "oops" moment or impulse buy you'll end up regretting. Before you leave for your first cattle auction, it's prudent to understand how auctions work and keep a few "golden rules" in mind. Different Types of Cattle Auctions Typically, auction houses hold "regular sales" and "special sales" auctions. Regular sales are usually held each week (or month) at a specific date and time. They attract all different types of livestock . You may see dairy bull calves or dairy cull cows, finished beef, dairy replacement heifers, or even starter herds. You'll also typically see other animals, like sheep, goats, poultry, and even rabbits. Regular sales tend to be a crapshoot for what's there, which isn't helpful if you're looking for something specific, but prices can be reasonable. Special sales are set at times by the auction house and advertised. Sellers usually know they are coming up, so they will save animals specifically for that sale. If you are looking for higher-quality beef cattle for a starter herd, attend a beef cattle special sales auction. The other type of cattle auction worth paying attention to is breed-specific auctions. These are held by breed organizations and are an excellent place to purchase superior genetic animals. These auctions are typically held in regional areas on a rotating basis. Some of the rarer breeds might have only one auction a year. To learn about these auction opportunities, follow the breed organizations you are interested in. Know What You Are Looking for Before You Go to a Cattle Auction Having a plan and doing your research before you go to the auction can't be said enough! That auction "adrenaline" has sucked in many a buyer "just going to look" into coming home with a flock of chickens and an Angora rabbit of dubious quality. Think carefully about what livestock your farm needs and what your budget is, and give yourself permission to walk away with NO purchases made. If you're buying cattle, make sure you understand what your goals are. If you're looking to purchase a starter herd, be picky! What breed are you looking for, or what type of cow do you want? What traits are you looking for? Are the animals you would be purchasing worthy of being breeding stock? How do they fit your breeding goals? Check out our post " Livestock Best Breeding Practices " for more information. If you haven't written out a farm business plan , this is the perfect time - before you head to auction. Always keep your ultimate goal in mind and weigh that against your auction options (and budget!). To get an idea of cattle prices, check the USDA's auction reports from across the country. Although this list doesn't usually include breed club auctions, it is searchable by state. Breed clubs will typically report their sales prices after their auction on their website. Don't Purchase Any Animal You Aren't Already Set up to Care For Remember, you'll be bringing these critters home with you directly after the auction, so think about what you will need to care for your livestock when you get them to your farm. Some auctions will keep your cows overnight for pick-up the next day, but most require you to take them immediately after purchase. If you're planning to buy multiple animals over the day, that means loading up your trailer several times as you make your purchases. Either way, it is essential to get your new cows home and settled as soon as possible to reduce stress. Do you have adequate shelter and fencing set up? Fencing for a few starter calves is a whole different scenario than bringing home a mature bull. You'll also need to keep your new stock separated from your other animals for 10 to 14 days to watch for any signs of disease. You can use a cattle tracking app like Farmbrite to keep track of this information for you so you don't forget how long you've had them in quarantine. Purchase Healthy Livestock! This one is a no-brainer, but it can be more challenging than it looks to suss out unhealthy animals in the high-stress auction environment if you are a new livestock buyer. Look for any signs of significant distress, snotty noses, weepy eyes, strange bumps, or rashes. Make sure they aren't limping and are moving freely. If you are purchasing a pregnant or supposedly bred animal, check for any vulva discharge. Calves should be alert and NOT have yellow diarrhea (scours!). You can also use the cattle tracking software application to track vaccination records, grazing, receipts of purchase, and much more. For those new to cattle buying, this is a great time to enlist the help of a friend with cattle-buying experience. They will teach you plenty in just one auction experience. Know the Auction Dynamics Once you've gone through an auction or two, you'll be a pro. But that first time can be daunting! When you get to the auction, you'll need to stop at the office and sign up for a buyer's number. This is the number you will bid with and present when it is time to settle your bill. Know each auction house's billing policy before you go. Some auctions will take checks, but many will only accept credit cards or cash. Take some time listening and learning to understand the auctioneer! Most auctions will have more than one ring going on at the same time. It's a lot of noise, and it takes time for your ear to adjust. Watch bidders around you (although some are very subtle!) and see how they bid to get a feel for the process. Remember to keep your hand motions limited because, yes, people do accidentally purchase a lot they never meant to. Go dressed in work clothes and bring hay, water buckets, and even a pitchfork to clean up messes while waiting for more stock to load. And of course, don't forget the trailer! Last but Not Least, Have Fun at the Auction! Cattle auctions can be a lot of fun. They can be a place to connect with other farmers and ranchers in your region, a place to purchase livestock of many different types , and a good learning opportunity. Many people are avid auction attendees. You'll find the same sort there every time you go. It can be a "social gathering" to see what's available livestock-wise and check in with the farming neighbors. Don't be afraid to go to a few auctions just to connect, with zero plans to purchase anything. Last but not least, here is a great website that maintains a weekly calendar of upcoming cattle auctions all around the U.S . 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 organizing your growing cattle herd ? Check out Farmbrite !

Introduction to Key Metrics When you’re managing a ranch, it's important to track key metrics that tell the story of your cattle herd or your cow calf operation. These metrics can differ depending on the size and type of your operation, but here are some key metrics every rancher should know: Cattle Gains Cattle gain is a measurement of the amount of weight gain (or loss) in cattle over time. The calculation can be done two ways: Using an average of every animal on your ranch, or Using an average of all animals that were born within a certain year (this will only include cows that have calved once). Once you’ve figured out how many pounds each animal has gained or lost throughout its lifetime, multiply this number by its current market value to get its total value. This gives you an idea of whether selling your cow now would prove profitable for the ranch. If not, it may be better to keep it and wait for increased growth potential down the road. As with many metrics in agriculture, cattle gains are determined by several factors: age at birth (younger animals grow faster), genetics (some breeds grow faster than others), feeding regimen, and environmental conditions during the growth period. Cattle Production Costs Production costs are the expenses associated with raising beef cattle. These costs include feed, labor, land, equipment, and other cattle production costs . The cost of each category varies depending on the size of your operation—small-scale ranchers have only a few animals in their care compared to large operations that may have hundreds. Some expenses are fixed, meaning they don't change with production levels; others are variable—they increase as output increases. For example: Fixed Expenses: Feed is generally the largest single expense that you'll incur as a rancher (it accounts for 50% or more of your total annual costs). As such, this is one area where it's important to keep an eye on how much you're spending so you can be sure there's enough cash flow coming in to cover these bills each month. Labor is another big ticket item because it includes salaries paid out not just to you but also to any hired help who works at your farm. Land values vary widely depending on location and soil quality but tend to increase over time due in part to urban sprawl around metropolitan areas. Equipment costs vary according to what type(s) of machinery/tools are needed; however, there are several things to consider from both an upfront perspective as well as continuing maintenance after purchase. Feed Conversion Rate The feed conversion rate calculation is the number of pounds of gain per pound of feed. The average conversion rate is between 1.25 and 1.50 pounds of gain per pound of feed. This measure is an important indicator for ranchers because it indicates how efficiently a cow-calf operation is using its resources to produce calves that will grow into market animals or replacements for the herd. Breeding, Calving, and Weaning Summary The Breeding, Calving & Weaning Summary is a table that shows the total number of cows bred (including those bred multiple times), the total number of calves born, and the total number of calves weaned from your operation. Here is an explanation of each of these metrics: Cows Bred: This metric is the total number of cows bred by your operation during a given time period (monthly or annual). Cows are pregnant for 9 months or 279 to 292 days. The cows bred metric includes heifers that have not been bred yet but are available for breeding. You may also see this written as “Cows Mated” or “Cows Pregnant,” which means only those females that are currently pregnant with live calf embryos should be included here—not heifers that have not been bred yet but could potentially become pregnant at any point during their first breeding season. Their first breeding season is between 18-24 months old. Cows Bred Multiple Times: This metric represents how many females were bred more than once within a specific time period (monthly or annual), regardless of whether they produced multiple pregnancies or not. For example, if two different bulls were used on one cow during this same time frame, then only one pregnancy would count toward your overall average value; however, both bulls would be counted toward this total regardless if they were used on other different females within this same timeframe as well. Calves Born: The total number of calves born from all cows combined during a given time period (monthly or annual). For example, A cow has twins; one is a bull calf, and one is a female calf who dies shortly after birth due to complications. Both would still count towards the overall average value since they were both born alive. Livestock Feed and Herd Summary A Feed and Herd Summary is a document that includes metrics like the total cost of feed and feed conversion ratio, among others. It helps ranchers determine how much money is going toward feed and how much it costs to feed each animal on their ranch. Here is a breakdown of each of these metrics: Total feed cost: This is the total amount of money spent on feed and supplements, both purchased and homegrown, over the course of one year. Feed cost per head: This metric gives you an idea of your herd's average daily intake by dividing the total annual feed bill by the number of cattle in your herd. For example, If you have 100 cows and spend $10,000 on feed annually, then each cow costs $100/year in feeding expenses ($10k/year / 100 cows = $100/cow/year). Feed conversion ratio (FCR): The FCR helps ranchers figure out how much protein and energy their animals are getting from each pound of forage consumed—and thus enables them to better manage their grazing programs based on having a desired FCR goal. An FCR closer to 1 means that more nutrition is being extracted from what they eat, while an FCR closer to 0 indicates that they're not getting much worth out of what they consume (which may cause lower production levels). Calculate feed conversion rate . Herd inventory per acre/head-acre: This metric measures how many acres are needed per cow unit or head unit within a given area—a useful benchmark when planning future expansion plans or assessing pasture quality before making any changes that could impact its health. Medical Treatment Summary The cost of treating sick animals is a key metric to track. Calculate the cost of treating sick animals by adding up all of your medical bills for a year. To calculate this figure, include any money you spent on vaccines, medications, antibiotics, and other treatments for your herd. You might even want to include the cost of hiring a veterinarian or buying vaccines from outside vendors if these expenses are significant enough that they should be included in the overall calculation. Use this information to improve your cattle herd's health . By knowing how much it costs you each year to treat sick cattle, you can better plan ahead when it comes time to buy new supplies or make changes in how they're cared for (such as switching veterinarians). Takeaway As a rancher, there are plenty of livestock data to keep track of . But don't let the sheer amount of numbers and data points overwhelm you. Data can provide useful insights into your operation, whether it's helping you make better decisions or improving your overall management practices. Now that we've covered some key metrics to consider as a rancher, here are some tips to help guide any future analyses: Identify what questions need answering before conducting an analysis and how those answers will be used by the business—this will help clarify what data needs to be collected in order for it to be useful. Choose the right metric(s) for measuring success—choosing too many metrics at once can lead to confusion and frustration when trying to interpret results. Use a consistent method for collecting data over time (e.g., weekly reports) so that trends can be identified. With the right cattle software and data collection methods, it’s easy to keep tabs on all of the information you need in one place. We pride ourselves on being the best software for cattle management. Key Cattle Farm Metrics If you’re looking for a way to track your ranch’s performance, these key metrics are a great place to start. Whether you start keeping herd records in a cattle record book or leverage an online cattle record-keeping app , keeping accurate data is a key part of growing your cattle business. Sources: https://www.ranchkpi.com/key-performance-indicators/key-performance-indicator-targets-for-cow-calf-operations/ https://dashboardfox.com/blog/top-9-metrics-for-the-agriculture-industry-you-should-be-monitoring-and-why/ https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1046&context=rangebeefcowsymp

A little foresight goes a long ways toward avoiding the most common mistakes farmers and ranchers make when installing their cattle fencing. Fencing your cattle ranch is a significant investment in money and time. Yet insufficient fencing can lead to headaches of escaped or missing stock, cattle getting into areas they shouldn’t be, and, worst-case scenario, an injury to your livestock or humans. Rather than pay later to rectify mistakes, take our word for it and avoid these most common cattle fencing mistakes from the get-go. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when installing or maintaining cattle fencing: 1. Poor Cattle Fence-Line Planning Before installing fencing on your farm, take some time to think through your property and future growth. Having a plan for your ultimate goal will prevent putting fence lines in the wrong spot you’ll end up having to remove. Your fence line doesn’t have to go in a straight line. It can follow natural land contours or swing around areas you want to fence off (like a grove of trees or a pond). Look at fencing on other farms. Seeing what the neighbors did that you like (or don’t like) will help when it comes time to start building your fencing. Think about where you’ll place your gates. Since gates are a significant expense in the fencing building process, make sure to put them in the best access spots and where you need (and will use) them. 2. Weak Cattle Fence Corners Weak and inadequate fence corners are the number one cause of a fence failing, whether it is an electrified system or not. Fence corners are the point where all the tension of the wire gets pulled from. If the corner posts are not big enough, not placed deep enough or adequately braced, the whole system will sag and fail. Make sure your posts are buried deep! One rule of thumb is that the depth in the ground of your corner posts should be equal to (or greater than) the height of the top wire. The size of the corner posts (most ranchers prefer wood corner posts) depends on how many strands of wire. A one or two-wire pasture divider only needs a four to five-inch post. But a five-strand barbed wire or four-strand high tensile should have a six to seven-inch diameter corner post. Brace your corner posts. There are several different methods of doing that, from a simple “H” style brace to a “floating brace” system popular for electrified systems. 3. Not the Right Distance Between Cattle Fence Posts Another common mistake is either too much —or not enough — space between fence posts (depending on the system you use). Barbed wire fencing needs closer fence posts, the rule of thumb is 16 feet. But for electrified high-tensile systems, posts that close are more likely to be broken or pulled out when an animal (like deer) hits the fence. In high-tensile fencing systems, posts are usually spaced at 30 to 40 feet. 4. Undercharged Electric Cattle Fence System Even the unruliest stock quickly learns to respect an electrified fence, assuming it is hot enough. The typical rule of thumb is one joule per mile of fencing (no matter how many strands you have). If possible, electrify your fence through standard power — especially perimeter fencing. Solar power can be adequate and useful for interior fencing needs but is less reliable than fencing run through a regular power source. 5. Improperly Ground Electric Fence Along with not having enough power, electric fences fail because they are not adequately grounded. Many fence builders don’t place enough grounding rods. There should be three feet of ground rods per every joule of energy. Space the grounding rods out at least 10 feet apart. They don’t have to be placed near the energizer (though most people tend to put them there). It is also vital to place grounding rods in an area with continuously damp soil during all seasons. 6. Steel Posts and Electric Fence Don’t Mix Since we’re talking about electric fencing systems, another critical point is to avoid steel posts. If you use steel posts, you depend on an insulator to keep the steel from shorting out your system. And even the best insulators are notorious for cracking or popping off. Instead, use plastic or composite posts. 7. Cattle Fence not Built for Your Climate A final mistake many fence builders make is they don’t plan for common weather events. High snowfall pack and frozen ground is not a good conductor, leading to weakly charged spots in your fence line. Plan for high snowfall by having one or more neutral wires incorporated into the system along with the hot wire. Another consideration is for ranchers subjected to frequent wildfires. In a fire-prone region, use steel posts and hang barbed wire, hi-tensile, or woven wire for perimeter fencing. Limit electric fencing to interior strands, one or two, hung on self-insulating posts. When a fire comes through, your electric lines will still go down, but your perimeter should remain. If you're tracking your cattle , we've got the cattle tracking app for you. Take Farmbrite cattle management software for a test drive today.

Cattle ranching is a demanding profession, it's essential to be prepared for the challenges that a harsh winter can bring. This blog will guide cattle ranchers on how to prepare for winter and ensure the well-being of their livestock and overall good cattle management . Stock Up on Feed and Water One of the first priorities in preparing for a harsh winter is ensuring your cattle have an ample supply of feed and water. As the temperatures drop, cattle will need more energy to stay warm, and providing enough high-quality forage and feed is crucial. Stockpile hay, silage, and any other supplemental feeds you might need. Ensure your water sources are protected from freezing by using tank heaters or heated waterers. You can use cattle record keeping software to help you keep track of the amount of hay and nutrients you have on hand. Using the best software for cattle management , Farmbrite can help you estimate when you will run out so to make sure you have plenty available. Don't take our word for it, give it a try for yourself. Preparing For Winter Winterize your facilities by inspecting your barns, sheds, and shelters to make sure they are in good condition. Repair any leaks, damaged roofing, or drafty areas. Proper insulation is essential to maintaining a comfortable and warm environment for your cattle. Consider adding windbreaks in outdoor areas to shield your cattle from harsh winter winds. Look for places that have snowdrift areas or risky places that they might shelter and bar the way if possible. Often, these areas might pose a risk to cattle accessing safe shelter, getting stuck in that area, or posing a slip risk due to poor walking surfaces. Weather Acclimation for Cattle Cattle are very hardy and capable of living outdoors in many temperatures, but it is important to let them acclimate to the cold. Let them remain outside before it gets too cold so they acclimate to the change in weather. Cold stress can happen in cattle when their body temperatures drop below 20ºF. You can offer shelter, keep them dry, offer a windbreak, and provide good nutrition, and they will tolerate cold temperatures without a problem. Health and Nutrition Assessment Before winter hits, it's advisable to conduct a health assessment of your herd. Schedule vaccinations, deworming, and any necessary veterinary visits. Make sure your cattle are in good body condition, as they will need extra energy to stay warm. Adjust their diet if needed and consult with a livestock nutritionist if you have any concerns. Keep track of their weight, feed recipes, inventory, and hay through cow management software. Emergency Supplies Prepare an emergency kit for your farm. This should include basic medical supplies for your cattle, such as antibiotics, wound care items, and essential medications. Additionally, ensure you have the necessary equipment for snow removal to maintain access to your facilities and pastures. Plan for Power Outages Harsh winters often bring power outages. Have a backup power source, like a generator, to keep essential equipment running. Make sure it is regularly serviced and that you have enough fuel on hand. Consider investing in a battery-operated heater for small spaces, such as birthing or sick pens. Bedding and Comfort In winter, proper bedding is crucial for cattle's comfort. Straw or hay bedding can help insulate the ground and provide warmth. Ensure your cattle have a clean and dry place to rest, especially during calving season. Well-rested cattle are healthier and more resilient. If you're wondering how many cattle you can keep per acre , take a look here. Monitoring and Communication Set up a system for monitoring your cattle during extreme weather conditions. Consider installing cameras in barns or calving areas to keep an eye on your herd. Additionally, establish a communication plan with neighbors or fellow ranchers to provide mutual support in case of emergencies. Winter can often pose significant challenges for cattle ranchers. However, with careful planning and preparation, you can help your cattle weather the winter safely and comfortably. Stock up on feed, ensure proper shelter and insulation, maintain cattle health, and have emergency supplies on hand. By taking these steps, you'll be better equipped to protect your livestock during the winter months and ensure the success of your cattle ranching operation. Take a look at Farmbrite, a cattle record keeping app for your cattle herd software . We help to keep your herd healthy and thriving all year long!

Hey there, fellow farmers and aspiring ag-enthusiasts! We all know that farming can be a challenging gig, but with a few tricks up your sleeve, you can turn your farm into a powerhouse of productivity. In this article, we'll share the top 10 tips to boost your farm's efficiency, productivity, and yields. 1. Group Similar Tasks Together Knock out similar jobs at once, like feeding livestock or checking irrigation systems, to save time and energy. There are so many ways to stay organized on the farm that we wrote a whole other article about it, which you can take a look at here. While you're here, here are some strategies for grouping tasks effectively: Group by Location If you have multiple fields or areas to tend to, try grouping tasks based on proximity. If you're already in one field for planting, for instance, do all planting tasks in that area before moving to the next. Harvesting crops, applying pesticides, and watering in the same area can all be grouped together. Group by Equipment If certain tasks require the same equipment (like a tractor or plow), try to do all the tasks that need that piece of equipment all at once. If you need to use a tractor to plant, fertilize, and plow, complete those tasks in sequence while the tractor is already out and set up. Group by Task Type You can group tasks that require the same type of labor or tools, such as planting, weeding, or pruning, at the same time. Instead of spreading them out, do all weeding at once, then do all planting, and so on. Group by Time of Day Some tasks are better done at specific times of day, like watering early in the morning/evening. Organizing tasks that need these time constraints can help you make the most of your daylight hours and work schedule. Early morning—watering, feeding animals. Midday—harvesting, inspecting crops. Afternoon—maintenance tasks like tool repair. Seasonal Task Grouping Grouping tasks that are season-dependent can help reduce the back-and-forth during busy times. Fall—harvesting, preparing fields for winter, storing crops. Spring—planting, fertilizing, pruning. Delegate Tasks Efficiently If you have multiple people working, group tasks based on skill level or efficiency. Workers who are fast at certain tasks can handle those, while others do more specialized work. While one person focuses on planting, another can be responsible for irrigation or pest control. Grouping tasks together on a farm can be an excellent way to save time and improve efficiency. By organizing related tasks in batches, you can reduce the time between tasks, streamline your workflow, and make the most of your resources. 2. Buy The Best and Maintain It First, investing in your farm can be done in many ways; it could be through the livestock that you choose to raise, the equipment that you invest in, or the seeds that you choose to sow. Take the time to find the right equipment, seeds, and livestock, so they don't end up being a headache for years to come. Second, a little upkeep goes a long way. Regular equipment maintenance of farm equipment like tractors, tools, and machinery can prevent breakdowns and costly repairs. Instead of fixing a tool or machine when it breaks, have scheduled maintenance days to inspect and repair everything. This will save time on unexpected breakdowns. Use task grouping for maintenance checks for all machinery (e.g., tractors, irrigation systems) in one go. Well-maintained machinery not only lasts longer but also operates more efficiently, saving time and money in the long run. 3. Automate Where You Can From automated feeders to irrigation systems, automation can help cut down on manual labor and save time. Use a farm management software like Farmbrite to help automate your tasks and keep your farm running smoothly. Use Technology to Your Advantage. Invest in agricultural apps  or other types of agricultural technology to streamline your operations and improve decision-making, staffing, and more. 4. Delegate When Possible Don’t try to do everything yourself! Delegate tasks to trusted employees or team members to share the workload. Prioritize tasks between high-priority vs. low-priority : Some tasks are time-sensitive or critical, such as milking cows or feeding livestock, while others are less urgent, like maintaining tools or cleaning the barn. Set Clear Expectations and Provide Instructions: Be specific and clearly communicate what needs to be done, how it should be done, and by when. This is crucial to avoid confusion and ensure tasks are completed correctly. Consider providing guidance for tasks that require precision or experience, providing step-by-step instructions or even a demonstration if needed. Understand the Strengths and Skills of Each Worker: Assess skills : Before delegating, it's important to understand each worker's strengths, weaknesses, and experience. For example, one worker might be great with machinery, while another excels at animal care or plant management. Task assignment : Match tasks to skills. If someone is good at operating machinery, assign them equipment-heavy tasks like planting, tilling, or harvesting. If another is great with animals, delegate animal care duties like feeding, milking, or health checks. Delegating tasks effectively on a farm is key to maximizing productivity, maintaining good working relationships, and ensuring that everything gets done efficiently. 5. Plan Ahead Set a clear schedule and prioritize tasks for the next day. Planning ahead can save you time and keep things organized. Plan your day in advance, listing out key tasks and priorities. Whether it's planting, feeding animals, or maintenance, having a clear plan will keep everyone on your farm on track for what needs to get done. Use a Task Scheduling System Organize tasks : Use a simple system, whether it’s a whiteboard, digital calendar, or task management app, to assign tasks and track their completion. This allows everyone to see what needs to be done and when. Daily or weekly task lists : Provide a clear schedule of tasks for each worker so there is no ambiguity. This can include who is doing what and, if possible, the expected time of completion. 6. Keep Organized A cluttered workspace slows you down. Keep tools, materials, and equipment where you need them for easy access. Staying organized on the farm isn’t just about cleanliness; it’s about setting systems in place that make your work smoother and more efficient. With a little planning and consistency, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and boost productivity! Organize your equipment, tools, and parts. Keep tools, machines, and equipment neatly stored in designated areas. A well-organized barn or shed means less time spent searching for the right tool and more time getting things done. Label everything! Label bins, storage areas, and even plants so that you can easily identify what’s what. Labeling everything cuts down on confusion and makes everything more accessible. Take inventory Regularly track your supplies—seeds, feed, fertilizers, tools, etc. Whether on paper or with software, keeping a log of your inventory prevents over-ordering and ensures you never run out of what you need. Establish Clear Systems for Waste Management  ♻️  Create specific areas for waste disposal or composting, and make sure everyone on the farm follows the system. An organized waste management system helps keep your farm clean and sustainable. Post-harvest organization It's important to know where you store things after harvest! Handle your produce with care to minimize damage and spoilage. Invest in a storage system that keeps your crops fresh and ready for the next round of festivities. 7. Communicate With Your Team Clear communication is key to keeping things running smoothly on the farm. Whether you're working with family or a larger crew, effective communication ensures that everyone is on the same page and tasks are completed efficiently. Use digital tools - Use apps like Farmbrite , Trello, or Slack to create lists, share updates, and track progress. Have a daily check-in meeting - Start each day with a quick team meeting. Discuss what needs to be done, the priorities, and any important updates. Visual communication - Use visuals like maps, photos, or whiteboards to show tasks and areas of focus. A visual reference helps clarify instructions and expectations. Create a clear chain of command - Designate roles and responsibilities so everyone knows who to turn to with questions or issues. This minimizes confusion and ensures tasks get done on time. Collaborate - Farms often require a team effort, so encourage workers to collaborate and help each other. This is especially helpful for tasks like harvests, where multiple people can work together to make the process more efficient. Use group messaging - Whether it’s a weather update or a quick check-in, it helps keep everyone connected. Encourage feedback - Foster an open environment where team members feel comfortable offering suggestions Write things down (in an app so they can always find it) . - For complex tasks, provide written instructions or a checklist. This reduces the chances of miscommunication and ensures tasks are completed accurately. Celebrate successes- Positive reinforcement helps boost morale and keeps everyone motivated. When workers feel appreciated, they are more motivated and likely to put in the effort. Celebrating the completion of major tasks, like a successful harvest, fosters a positive work environment. 8. Precision Agricultural Tools Depending on your operation, you might choose tech-savvy farm tracking like farm management tools, weather apps, GPS, and drones. These tools help optimize planting, irrigation, and fertilization, reducing resource wastage and increasing yield accuracy. Weather Watch Keeping an eye on the natural swings of weather forecasts lets you plan and schedule around weather swings – planting, harvesting, and weathering any storms. There are many types of agricultural apps to choose from that can help you on your farm. From plant identification apps , weed and insect identification and counting, bringing ag technology into your daily work life will help identify issues and make life easier. 9. Efficient Water Management Water is a precious resource and can be very expensive if wasted. Install drip irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting techniques to conserve water and ensure precise delivery to your crops. Timing and quantity are critical factors in efficient water use. 10. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) It's time to invite your friends, the beneficial insects, to the pest party. You might try using integrated pest management (IPM). Rather than relying solely on pesticides, develop an IPM strategy with green lacewings or ladybugs or other biological Pest Management options that combine biological controls, beneficial insects, and crop monitoring. This approach reduces the need for chemical treatments and minimizes the impact on the environment. By implementing these 10 tips for farm efficiency, you'll be able to streamline operations, reduce costs, and boost productivity in a sustainable way. Remember, efficiency isn’t just about working harder — it’s about working smarter. Whether it's adopting new technologies, optimizing your organization, or improving your team's communication, small changes can lead to big results. Keep these strategies in mind, and you'll be on your way to a more profitable and sustainable farming operation. Here's to growing smarter, not just bigger! Happy farming! Take a look at Farmbrite farming software for your farm record keeping and tracking to help you be more efficient and profitable on your farm.

How to pick the best farm management software for your farm Like many industries, farmers are surrounded and inundated with technology that promises to offer a solution to help them. With so many choices it's easy for farmers to find themselves overwhelmed with choices of farm software these days. With so many choices how do you make the right one so you only move your data once? First let's define what we mean when we talk about Farm Management Software. What is Farm Management Software? Farm Management Software (FMS) is a category of software that is designed to help farmers plan, track, manage, and run their businesses more effectively. It can help you keep track of your crops, treatments, amendments, and livestock, reporting data and generating reports and alerts that tell you when to harvest or move animals to different pastures. Farm Management Software (FMS) is designed to help farmers with their daily tasks. It's a comprehensive solution that covers many different aspects of the farming business, such as financial visibility & reporting, understanding ROI, managing work, keeping track of inventory, crop planning and monitoring, customer relationship management (CRM), and more. FMS differs from farm accounting software because they are more comprehensive and typically provides a complete and holistic view of your business and can be thought of as an Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for agricultural businesses. Farm software is business software Your farm is a business, and it deserves software that can help you make real-time informed business decisions about where to invest and where to scale back. Good farm management software should do more than just keep notes and records, it should be a business tool to help you run a more efficient and profitable agribusiness. Farmbrite is a complete guide to farm management . Give us a try to see for yourself. Read more about Farm Management Software . What are key farm management software features? There are many different types of farming software, some that are focused on specific types of producers or growers (cattle, commodities, etc) and others that provide a broad generalized set of features that can be applicable to many different types of farmers. Key farm management software features: Record keeping & traceability features Crop planning, growth, and yield tracking Farm mapping / Field mapping and boundaries (also key for organic certifications) Farm scheduling, task and work management Geotag notes and activities Yield projections, estimates, and tracking Field and crop production rates (harvests and yields) Field & crop activities (this is critical for a successful agricultural business and any organic certification) - Weeding, fertilizing, pesticides, etc. Financial health and reporting including ROI/break-even analysis Expenses and income (general profit and loss) for fields, crops, and other ventures Soil and crop treatment tracking Compliance reporting Crop loss and loss reason (disease, pests, etc) Soil health monitoring (soil sample/nutrient tracking) Inventory tracking and warehouse management Climate and environmental tracking Historic weather reporting Equipment (tractors, etc) service records, operating costs, etc. Contact and vendor records Order and sales management eCommerce and online sales Reporting and analytics Store files and photos Animal breeding and genealogy Animal health & treatment records - vaccines, deworming, neutering, etc Animal growth and production tracking Livestock grazing planning and management Ability to integrate with other systems Because farm management software often covers a broad category of needs and features, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to understand each of these areas. However, a good farm management system will integrate all of these features in an easy-to-use and understand way so that you can get the most out of them to help your business. Top questions to ask when picking farm management software 1. What are your key goals for your business? When selecting any new tool, it's important to start by thinking about what you are trying to accomplish and how that tool can help you; farm management software is no different. Start by thinking listing the key challenges you're trying to solve or areas of your business you're trying to improve. Review the features that are available, watch demos, start a trial, and evaluate how those features can help you accomplish your goals. 2. Are you managing a diverse operation? Many farm management software systems on the market are focussed on single species or single enterprise operations. Are you growing crops and raising livestock? Do you have multiple species of animals or crops you're caring for? If you are growing or raising more than one product on your farm, be sure that the system can support your needs. Additionally, if you're considering diversifying your operation, be sure the farm software can scale with you. 3. Are you raising livestock? If you're raising and managing livestock, be sure that the system supports the types of animals you are raising and that it can provide you with the insight you need to make breeding, culling, and other critical management decisions. Are you raising multiple species of animals on a diverse farm or doing multi-species grazing? Be sure the farm software can handle your business needs without adding extra overhead and complexity. 4. Is the farm software easy to use? There are many ways to evaluate this. Here are a few questions to consider: Is the system easy and intuitive for you and your team? Is the company easy to get a hold of and responsive to questions? Does the software get good reviews and appear to be modern and well-built? Can you get your data out easily? Is the software being actively maintained, improved, and updated? Can you access your data from anywhere? Do they offer a free trial? Is it set up in a way that is customer-focused? Most importantly, can you see yourself spending time working with the software and it helping you with your goals? 5. Does this company really understand your needs as a farmer? Many companies in this industry do not come from a farming background. So, how do they know what farmers need? Do they listen to their customers and get regular feedback from them? Do you feel confident they understand your needs and business? 6. Do you have specific reporting or compliance needs? You may have specific data that you rely on to run your business. Does the farm management system support that and make it easy to access? Do you have specific reports you need for accounting, taxes, compliance, organic certifications, carbon credits, etc? Think about what data you need to use to accomplish your goals and run your business, and make sure the system can help you capture and report on that data. 7. What key features are critical vs nice to have? With so many different features of farm management software, it can feel a bit overwhelming to decide what you need, what you don't, and what's nice to have. Remember that not every tool solves every problem, and software is no different. Depending on the complexity or depth of your need, certain software products may provide better feature sets. Additionally, do you want a single farm management software platform for your farm, or do you already have other apps you work with that are working for you? For example, if you have an accounting app, e-commerce, or scheduling app that you love and is working for you, stick with it and look for how it can integrate with and improve the value of your other farm data. 8. Can you easily transfer or upload your existing data? You likely have existing records for your farm. These may be in spreadsheets or in notebooks. Do you want to input or upload your existing farm data? Does the farm management software provide tools to make this easy? Do they offer free support and resources to help get your existing data into their system? 9. What is your budget? Determine a reasonable price that you are willing to pay. In my opinion, one of the best ways to think about what this is for your business is to look at the benefits and improvements that the software brings to your business and translate that into a cost or value for you. For example, how much time will the software save you each month, and how much is your time worth? How can the software help increase your farm and team's efficiency and production, and what's the at worth? Note: Pay attention to hidden fees and costs that farm software developers may have and consider how these may impact your cost. Some of these costs may be things like extra cost per user, animals, acreage, etc, and hidden fees for support or features. 10. Do you need to integrate your farm data with other software systems? You may have other apps or software you are using on your farm. Do you want to connect the data from these to your farm data? Do you want to build workflows or automated processes when your data changes? If this is important to you, you should look to see if the farm management software offers the ability to integrate with other systems and/or provides programmatic access to your data via an API and offers resources and support to help you connect everything. How to choose software for your farm There are a wide variety of different farm management software systems on the market today. In our experience, the right software really depends on the type of operation you are running, how much automation you may or may not have in place, you’re level of experience with farm planning, management, or record keeping software, and what’s important to your business. Some farm management systems focus on niche needs, and others have solutions that are designed for a specific scale of operations. For example, features like automated tracking and reporting are integrated into IOT devices or tractors. Other systems offer a broader set of features that can help with your whole agriculture business. For example, farm accounting capabilities, livestock tracking & genealogy, grazing management, tractor and equipment record keeping, CSA management, etc. At the end of the day, I would recommend taking a few different software solutions for a test drive. Look for an online solution that offers you a free, no-hassle trial so you can really try it out. See what makes the most sense for your operation and is easy to get started with and use. Farm software should support your business needs Remember that a good farm management system should help your business accomplish its goals where that's be more efficient, productive and profitable and it should be able to provide you insight into what is working and not working for you. What is Farmbrite's farm management software? We're an all-in-one farm software platform . We’ve designed it to be a complete guide to farm management and different from other farm management systems out there as it provides a set of solutions to help you get organized: Crop tracking and planning Manage farm scheduling, activities, and tasks Manage all your livestock needs (record keeping, expenses & production reporting, grazing management, genealogy, breeding, etc) Flexible and customizable to meet the needs of all kinds of operations and producers Accounting and Schedule F reporting eCommerce platform Keep detailed records of all your inventory, equipment, and customers And more farm management features ... Our goal is to help get farmers better organized, keep better records, manage their resources, track production, and identify trends to gain valuable insights and increase efficiency and profits. Farmbrite was rated as the " Best farm management software overall " by crm.org, but don't just take their word for it, give Farmbrite a try . If you have questions about finding the right software for your farm, contact us . We'd be happy to help - even if we're not the right fit for you.

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

How many head of cattle can you keep on your pasture? How many cows can I keep per acre? As ranchers and farmers, it is a question that we often need to solve especially if you have a limited amount of land or want to use your land in the best way possible. As cattle producers we want to understand how to raise the maximum number of animals on the acreage we have. Additionally, if you are looking to purchase or expand your herd, it's important to understand the minimum amount of land you need to support the grazing and growth requirements of those animals. Finding the right balance between your herd size and available forage is a critical part of developing and managing good grazing practices, no matter if you are using rotational or continuous grazing practices. This article, and the included cows per acre calculator at the end of the post, will walk you through how to calculate the number of cows that can be supported based on your pasture size -and health- and how much land is needed for each head of cattle based on the cattle type. Why Calculate Cows Per Acre? In order to maintain the quality of your soil you can’t run too many cows per acre. If you do you can run into overgrazing issues that will impact the health of your soil and in turn, negatively affect the health and productivity of your herd. Overgrazing is a common mistake that new ranchers make. Overgrazing can reduce soil health, and quality and lead to a reduction in the biodiversity of your pasture. A pasture in poor health is more likely to allow the expansion of invasive plants and grasses to take over, which will reduce the quality and amount of forage available. Overgrazing also causes soil degradation can can cause desertification of your land. Rotational grazing and multi-species grazing are two types of grazing you should consider for your farm. In addition to supporting healthy pastures, rotational grazing and multi-species grazing practices can also produce healthier animals. Before we dive into the calculator, it's important to understand the key factors that go into determining how many grazing animals the land can support. The key factors come down to the weight of the animals grazing, measured as animal units (AU), and the health and productivity of the pasture. Let's start by understanding animal units. Cattle Animal Units The Animal Unit (AU) is a standard measure of weight that can be used to estimate how many cattle per acre you can graze. One AU is equivalent to 1,000 lbs (453.6 kg) of body weight. Another important metric to understand is the Stocking Rate, which is expressed as Animal Unit Month (AUM) . A cow typically eats about 75-80% of their body weight in forage per month. Understanding the forage rate for cows helps us to determine the Animal Unit Month (AUM). AUM is the monthly forage demand for 1 AU or roughly 915 lbs for a cow according to Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS. Estimating Pasture Forage To accurately estimate how many acres a cow needs it's important to understand the pasture conditions, precipitation, and more specifically, the estimate of the forage yield that the pasture will produce. The amount of forage that can be produced by a pasture can vary widely and can be severely affected by: Pasture condition Precipitation zone Types of forage grown Grazing system used (e.g., rotational grazing) Pasture condition scoring takes into consideration many factors when evaluating the overall health and productivity of a pasture and its pasture forage yield. The NRCS and Alberta Forage Manual provide extensive details about this. Using pasture scoring to determine the p asture condition class will help you to develop an estimate for the Animal Unit Months per acre. For example, an irrigated seeded pasture in excellent condition might provide 7+ AUM/acre while the same irrigated pasture in poor condition may only yield 2.5 AUM/acre. A poor-quality field in a dry year might have as little as 0.25 AMU/acre. How Much Land Does a Cow Need? You need about 1 acre per cow, or about 1.5 to 2 acres per cow/calf pair, to feed them for 12 months. But is the story really that simple? A typical 1 AU, 1,000 lb, cow might require as much as 8 acres (3.2 ha) on poor-quality pasture with low precipitation or as little as about 0.27 acres (0.11 ha) on an irrigated pasture in excellent condition. As you can see, the health and quality of the pasture and forage yield make a huge difference in how many head of cattle can be supported per acre or the stocking density for cattle. For more accurate numbers, it's essential to assess your pasture's forage quality (how much grass or feed it provides), climate (rainfall, temperature), and cattle type (e.g., dairy vs. beef). Some areas may require supplemental feeding during certain seasons to maintain the health of both the cows and the pasture. Based on the information above, you might have a general sense of how much land a cow needs to support their grazing needs. But let's walk through an example to understand how to calculate the number of cows per acre that could be supported by a certain size pasture. Let's assume that you've estimated your pasture forage yield rate on a good-quality pasture with decent precipitation and determined an average forage yield of 2.2 AUM/acres or 2000 lb/acres. Assuming that we are allowing the pasture to rest 1/2 the time by using a rotational grazing system, we can assume a 50% utilization rate. To determine the total monthly production of the field we multiply the AUM x the utilization rate. Or 2,000 lb/acre x 50% = 1,000 lb/acre or 915 lb/AUM. Next, we determine the total AUM for our pasture. Let's assume a 500-acre pasture . We do this by multiplying the monthly production of the field, 1,000 lb/acre) x the size of our pasture (500 acres) to get a total of 500,000 lb of forage or 546 AUM. Assuming we want to graze an average weight of 1,200 lb (1.2 AU) - cow with calves. We can determine the total number of animals by dividing the number AUM (546 AUM from step 4 ) by the average animal units (1.2 AU) and then dividing by the total acres - or (546 AUM/1.2 AU) / 500 acres = 0.91 head of cattle per acre. Ok, there are a lot of parts to that calculation. The good news is that you can just select a few options and plug in some information in the calculator below and let it handle the math for you. Cow Per Acre Calculator Here are the basic instructions for using the cattle-per-acre calculator. Choose a cattle type you plan to graze. Tip: If you know the average animal unit (AU) of the herd, select the Custom option and enter your value. Enter the pasture area. Adjust the utilization rate, according to your grazing practices. If you know the forage yield, enter it, otherwise choose the annual precipitation and pasture condition option to determine the forage yield estimate. And, that's it! Once you've supplied that information you'll see the estimated pasture's forage production, total number of cattle, and how many cows per acre can be grazed on the field. Additional Cattle Resources Cattle Body Conditioning Scoring Cow Gestation Table and Cow Gestation Calculator Estimating Your Hay Needs Beginners Guide to Keeping Livestock Records Other Cattle Resources Farmbrite is a complete livestock software system that supports integrated multi-species breeding, livestock record keeping, grazing, farm management , tracking, sales, and reporting software to run a thriving livestock business. We provide everything you need to manage a livestock operation . Want to learn more about how Farmbrite can help your cattle operation ? Learn more . We hope that this article has taken some of the confusion out of calculating the number of acres you need to graze your cattle on. Best of luck and happy ranching!

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

Hatching your own chicken eggs is the dream, right? It turns out you don’t need a rooster on your property to get the job done. Learning how to incubate chicken eggs is easier than most people think, and the process allows you complete control over the hatching process. Not only do you get to choose both the breed and the number of birds, but incubators enable you to watch the hatching process take place in real time. Let’s dive into how to hatch eggs in an incubator. Here’s what you need to know to get started. The Egg Incubator Choosing the right incubator is critical to successfully hatching chicks at home. Compared to a mother hen, incubators have some advantages. They allow you to automate the warming process so that the eggs stay at a consistent temperature and humidity level for three weeks before hatching. Likewise, incubated chicks tend to be friendlier with humans because they don’t imprint on their mothers. What temperature do chicken eggs need to be incubated at? The ideal incubation temperature for eggs is 100.5 °F. It is very important to avoid temperature fluxuations. The most significant risk with incubators can be power outages—you’ll need a backup plan for warming the eggs if your electricity goes out during the incubation phase. Choosing an Egg Incubator There are a variety of styles of incubators for eggs available. Simple models have a basic heat and humidity source controlled by a switch, while others include a fan for air circulation, an automatic egg turner, and a digital display for monitoring the temperature, humidity level, and days until hatching. Make sure to calibrate your incubator's thermometer for accuracy. Where you keep the incubator matters more than most realize. Keep it in a room without drafts that maintains a consistent temperature and away from windows and direct sunlight. You also want it out of reach of pets and curious children who might disturb it. Where To Find Fertilized Eggs Fertilized chicken eggs aren’t hard to come by if you know where to look. If you own a rooster, the odds are that every egg you interact with has the potential to grow a chick. Otherwise, it’s possible to purchase eggs from a breeder. This tends to be the best way to secure a specific breed. Note: fertilized eggs are notorious for not shipping well and tend to have a low hatch rate after so much jostling. When possible, find a local supplier where you can skip the mailing process to pick them up in person. How To Properly Incubate Eggs All incubators will have different operating instructions, which should always be your first guide. Even so, these general guidelines work for most devices. Before adding eggs, test the incubator out by letting it run for at least 24 hours. This gives it time to stabilize the interior temperature and enables you to make any adjustments before placing sensitive eggs inside. Inspect each egg for deformities or hairline cracks and discard any that aren’t perfect. Place them in the incubator slightly on their side with the pointed end angled down. Monitor the incubator for the first hour after adding eggs to ensure the settings stay consistent. Avoid opening and closing it, as this will disrupt the temperature sensors. Note: If you’re using shipped eggs, let them set out for 24-48 hours before adding them to the incubator. This allows the yolks to settle and reach room temperature. Moving cold eggs to a warm incubator may cause them to crack and die. (Shipped eggs are notoriously hard to incubate but not impossible.) How To Incubate Chicken Eggs - The Egg Incubation Process The steps to hatch your chicken eggs will vary based on the day.   How long does it take to incubate chicken eggs? We will cover the date ranges, the best temperature to hatch eggs, what day to turn your eggs, when to candle your chicken eggs and how, and when to stop turning to let them hatch. Here are the steps to follow to incubate your chicken eggs. Days 1-17 This is the majority of the incubation period. Plan to turn each egg once every eight hours (unless your incubator has an automatic egg turner). Many people mark one end of each shell with an X to help them keep track. Ideally, the egg incubation temperature will be at a constant temperature between 99-102°F, with 45-55% humidity. Chicken eggs need this temperature to hatch. It’s okay if the humidity level fluctuates—it’s not as critical as the temperature. Monitor the interior temperature and humidity, adding water to the reservoir when it gets low. After a week, you can “candle” the eggs for signs of a developing embryo. Candling eggs means that you take a close look at the eggs in a dark place with a flashlight or blight light to illuminate the growing embryo inside the eggs. Originally, a candle was used for this method, which is why it's called "candling" an egg. At candeling during days 1-4, you might see a network of blood vessels. Around day 5 or 6 of the incubation period, you might start to see a shadow, eye, or possibly movement in the egg. If there is a thin red line around the embryo, this is known as a "quitter". If there are no blood vessels and no shadow, these are known as "yokers". Both quitters and yokers should be thrown away. If you don't see a shadow, blood vessels, or other signs of life, the egg may not have been fertilized, may have had an issue during development, or the embryo was not able to develop. You can also look for cracks in the shell at this time. Remove any of these eggs as they can allow bacteria to grow in the egg and may cause it to explode and contaminate the rest of the eggs in your incubator and generally make a very smelly mess. Days 18-20 You’ve reached the lockdown phase for incubation. From now on, you’ll stop opening the incubator and turning the eggs. Increase the humidity to 65-70%, and prepare a space for the newly hatched chicks when they hatch and are ready to move out. Day 21+ By day 21, you’ll start to hear peeping from inside the eggs. They may begin to rock back and forth, with small cracks developing. It can take over 24 hours for chicks to make it out of their shells, and it’s crucial you don’t interfere with the process, even if a bird appears to be struggling. In fact, the challenges of hatching help these little birds develop proper muscle function. Leave all chicks in the incubator until the hatching process is finished so you don’t interfere with the humidity levels. The chicks eat their yolk sac just before hatching, meaning they can go several days without additional food and water. Moving chicks before they are dry and fluffy can leave them chilled and prone to illness. To sum up, it takes about 21 days to incubate a chicken egg. Incubating Duck Eggs: What’s the Difference? Chickens aren’t the only feathered fowl that can hatch eggs within an incubator. Many people have great luck with ducks as well. The primary difference with incubating duck eggs is that they take 28-35 days to hatch—up to two weeks longer than chicken eggs . Keeping the two together may cause problems if you’re opening the incubator frequently to pull out baby chicks. For this reason, it works best to focus on one bird type at a time. Many people have great luck with duck, quail, turkey, and many other types of eggs as well. Just be sure that your incubator can hold the size of the egg you plan on hatching. Incubating Chicken Eggs for Fun and Farm Profits Hatching chicken eggs at home with an incubator is a satisfying experience, whether you want 5 birds or 50. If you need help managing your expanding farming operation, consider Farmbrite agricultural software . Our program will help you manage your entire agriculture business. This comprehensive software system will improve farm performance and sustainability, highlight inefficiencies, and showcase ways you can increase production and sales. Author Bio : Lydia Noyes is a freelance writer and hobby farmer in West Michigan. She writes about food, farming, health, and wellness topics related to the planet and the people within it. When not tied to her computer, you’ll find Lydia weeding, reading, or chasing after her ever-growing flock of chickens. Curious about what Farmbrite can do for you? Take it for a free test drive for 14 days.

I think we can all agree that fruit flies are the worst. I mean, one day you have a beautiful bounty of fresh fruit on your counter, and the next day it's covered in an invasive hoard of tiny fruit flies gorging themselves and worse, laying their vermin spawn (eggs) on your hard-won spoils. Let's face it, we've all been frustrated with a sudden infestation of these pesky insects. In addition to these pests eating your fruit, they can also pose some real health risks by potentially spreading germs and bacteria to your food. In this post, we'll talk about what attracts fruit flies, how to prevent them, and the best DIY solution to trap and eliminate them. Best DIY Fruit Fly Trap to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Let's start with how to get rid of fruit flies since that's probably why you're here. It's no surprise that you'll find a ton of different DIY and homemade fruit fly traps on the internet. Save yourself the hassle by trying our favorite battle-tested DIY fruit fly trap. It's simple, easy, and affordable, and best of all, it really works. Besides the fact that this solution works surprisingly well, it only takes minutes to put this fruit fly catcher together, and you probably already have everything you need in your kitchen cupboard. Here's how to make this simple but effective fruit fly trap. Apple Cider Vinegar Fruit Fly Trap Tip: Before you get started, we recommend tossing out or composting any over-ripe fruit that might be attracting the fruit flies. Supplies: Apple cider vinegar - 1 Cup Liquid dish soap - a few drops A small jar or bowl Steps: Pour about 1 cup of apple cider vinegar into the small jar or bowl Add a few drops of the liquid dish soap to the jar - do not mix it Set out the trap and wait for it to do its work Before you know it, the jar will be filled with drowned fruit flies. If needed, simply empty the jar and repeat the process. This trap works so well because fruit flies are naturally attracted to the smell of apple cider vinegar. They will land on the surface of the vinegar, seeking a place to lay their eggs; however, instead of getting a free, tasty meal, they will fall through the surface film from the dish soap and be trapped. Now that you've got a handle on getting rid of fruit flies, keep reading to learn more about what attracts them and how to prevent future infestations. What attracts fruit flies Fruit flies are attracted to ripening, rotting, and fermenting fruits. They will lay their eggs on rotting or fermenting foods, which will hatch into hundreds of new fruit fly larvae. One female fruit fly can lay up to 500 eggs, which will hatch within a week. In addition, these little critters can hitch a ride on produce you bring into your home, so be sure to wipe down your produce and store it in a cool drawer or undercover. If you've been unlucky enough to attract fruit flies to your home, don't worry; we've got you covered. Just follow the steps above for a simple and cost-effective way to eliminate fruit flies. How to prevent fruit flies The best way to keep fruit flies from taking over your kitchen is to keep it clean and tidy. Fruit flies like ripening and rotting foods - here are some tips to use every day to help keep fruit flies out of your home: Fruit fly infestations can occur when you bring in infected fruit from the garden, farmer's market, or grocery store. If you see fruit flies on produce when you're shopping, skip buying anything nearby unless you want to wake up the next morning to a swarm of fruit flies in your kitchen. Rinse off fruits and veggies that are washable as soon as you get them home (apples, bananas, berries, citrus, stone fruits, etc) Keep fruits and veggies in a cool drawer or under cover (especially fruits with high sugar content - bananas, peaches, etc). Try to use fruits and vegetables before they over-ripen or go bad to prevent fruit flies from laying their eggs on your ripening or fermenting produce. Did someone say banana bread? If you can't use the fruit before it starts to over-ripen, consider freezing or dehydrating it. Keep your kitchen clean and periodically wipe down surfaces with a mild soap and water solution to remove any fruit fly eggs or larvae that might be hiding on your countertops. Take trash and recycling outside regularly (or keep it in with a tight-fitting lid). Keep food scraps in a compost bag in the freezer. Flush and clean your sink drain to remove any old trapped food scraps Periodically wash reusable shopping bags in the washing machine Hopefully, this helped provide you with some simple steps to reduce and eliminate fruit flies from your home so you can stop worrying about sharing that delicious banana with 500 of your closest tiny friends. Written by our knowledgeable staff writers/farmers at Farmbrite .

If you're growing crops, you know harmful insects can ravage and devastate your crops. For organic producers or those wishing to minimize their use of pesticides, keeping harmful insects at bay can be an extra challenge. One way many organic producers fight back is by using natural processes to keep those insects under control. They do this by partnering with beneficial insects. This natural partnership helps eliminate or dramatically reduce harmful insect populations while also minimally affecting the population of beneficial insects and pollinators in your microenvironment. Green lacewings are one such beneficial insect that can naturally help reduce a variety of garden pests without the need to deploy pesticides. In this article, we'll cover how to identify green lacewings, their benefits to your garden, and even how to attract them to your farm. What Are Green Lacewings? Green lacewings are a common flying insect found in the northern hemisphere. They are an insect predator that's best known for feeding on aphids, but their prey might also be other insects like caterpillars, mites, leaf-hoppers, and other soft-bellied insects. Green Lacewing Description Adult Lacewings measure between 1/2 and 3/4 inches (about 1-2 cm) long and have a long slender green body, long antennae, and golden eyes. They have 4 prominent wings, which are delicate looking, almost transparent, with lace-like veins throughout. Lacewings are most active at night and are a joy to observe in their element. A female green lacewing can lay about 200 tiny eggs. Lacewing eggs have an oblong shape attached to tiny silken stalks that attach to leaf surfaces. The eggs are sometimes found in clusters or sometimes by themselves and change from light to dark green as they mature. The eggs hatch in about 4 days. These eggs are important to look for, as adult lacewings are actually not beneficial predators. It is the larvae of green lacewings that are the insatiable predators. Green lacewing larvae are called the Aphid Lion and are voracious feeders and can consume 200 to 300 aphids in the 1-3 weeks before they become adults. Larvae are described as looking like an alligator with a flattened reptile-like appearance and a tapered tail. They are usually pale with dark spots/markings and have six legs. After the lacewing larval stage, the larvae pupate into a loose sphere-shaped cocoon attached to plants or bark, emerging 10-14 days later. Green Lacewing Benefits As we've described, lacewing bugs are part of natural and organic insect control. They do a lot of work eliminating destructive pests for you while in their larval stage. Here are some of the common garden pests that green lacewing larvae are known to help with: Aphids Cabbage worms Caterpillars Leafhoppers Mealybugs Mites Moths (eggs) Psyllids Scale insects Thrips Whiteflies While adult lacewing flies are not insect predators, they are beneficial pollinators in your garden that feed on plant pollen, nectar, and sticky honeydew. They will also lay more eggs and continue the cycle. How to Attract Lacewings to Your Garden How do we attract these awesome predators? Here are a few tips. (Let us know if you have others we're missing so we can share them here!) 1. Do not use broad-spectrum pesticides These chemical pesticides are not selective in the insects that they affect and can devastate populations of beneficial insects. Unfortunately, by reducing the population of these beneficial insects, you can actually create more room for harmful garden pests to multiply. If you must use chemical insect practices, try using targeted pesticides that selectively target specific pests and avoid the use of broad-spectrum pesticides. 2. Add plants that attract beneficial insects Many flowing herbs and plants can be used to both increase the bio-diversity of your vegetable garden and also attract beneficial insects. Some plants that can be planted to help attract lacewings include Angelica, Caraway, Coriander, Cosmos, Dill, Fennel, Fern, Poppy, Mallow, Tansy, and Yarrow. 3. Keep some bad garden pests around While no farmer or gardener wants to leave potentially destructive insects on their crops, that act attracts beneficial insects. While pollen, nectar, and sticky honeydew will help attract beneficial bugs like lacewings, a solid source of aphids (or other pests) offers a welcome feast for beneficial insects. This bounty of food will encourage female lacewings to deposit hundreds of eggs that will hatch into an army of pest eaters. It's all a balance. 4. Attract them with sugar spray By applying a mixture of sugar and water to plants where aphids and other pests are taking up residency, you can help to attract beneficial insects like green lacewings. This sugary-sweet mixture will simulate the honeydew-like secretions created when plants are attacked by aphids, mealybugs, and other harmful insects. This attracts other insects, like honeybees, lacewings, and ants. The simulation will help to attract beneficial insects like lacewings to encourage them to lay their eggs, resulting in an army of lacewing larvae on the hunt for aphids. 5. Buy green lacewing bugs You can buy populations of many beneficial insects like ladybugs and green lacewing bugs. You can often find them for sale online or at a local garden center. For lacewings, you can typically buy them at various stages of the lacewing's life cycle: Eggs : Eggs can be spread around your garden or greenhouses or applied directly to plants that show increased pressure from aphids. Larvae : Lacewing larvae are an exceptional way to quickly reduce the population of harmful pests. Because the lacewing larvae are such veracious eaters of pests, they can make short work of them in a short amount of time. Adults : Adult lacewings can be bought and may help to establish a local population of lacewings. They are also beneficial, but not prolific, pollinators. These unassuming insects are one of the various beneficial insects that you should try to protect and encourage to take up residence on your farm. These unassuming little green bugs are an excellent ally in the fight against crop-destroying insects, and when provided with a healthy home, they can be a serious weapon in the organic farmer's arsenal. To learn more, check out some of these other resources: Green lacewing look-a-likes Ecological Understanding of Insects in Organic Farming Systems Plants that help attract pollinators Buy green lacewings online Benefits of ladybugs Farm Management Software

Are You Tracking the Wrong Data on Your Farm? As a farmer, you’re well aware that successful farming relies on a wealth of data. From soil conditions to weather patterns, crop health to equipment performance, there’s no shortage of information to track. However, with the increasing availability of technology and data collection tools, it’s easy to fall into the trap of tracking too much — or the wrong — data. While data is undoubtedly a powerful tool for making informed decisions, it’s important to ensure that the data you're gathering actually serves your goals and helps you make improvements where they matter most. In this article, we’ll explore why tracking the right data is critical and how you can focus on the most relevant information to optimize your farm’s operations. The Data Overload Problem Data collection on farms has become more sophisticated over the years. Tools like sensors, drones, ag software , and GPS technology allow farmers to collect information on virtually every aspect of their operations. But the volume of data being collected can quickly become overwhelming. For instance, a farmer might track weather data, soil moisture, crop yield, equipment performance, fuel consumption, labor hours, and even social media activity. While all of these pieces of information can offer value in the right context, they can easily distract from the more crucial metrics. When you’re trying to make quick decisions on the fly, a large collection of unnecessary data or information can make it harder to extract the actionable insights that matter. What Data Should You Be Tracking? The key to efficient farm management is focusing on the data that directly impacts your productivity, profitability, and sustainability. Below we've added some key data categories that most farmers should prioritize on their farms. 1. Soil Health & Fertility Data Soil health is the foundation of any successful vegetable, grain, or grass farming operation. Tracking soil pH, nutrient levels, organic matter, and microbial activity is essential to ensuring your crops receive the right inputs for optimal growth. Soil testing should be done regularly, as these conditions can change over time. Using this data, you can implement precision fertilization strategies to improve crop yields while reducing excess inputs. Basic things for farmers to track for soil health: Soil pH : The acidity or alkalinity of the soil which affects the availability of nutrients to plants. (Raise it with lime or lower it with sulfur). Nutrient, salinity, or heavy metal levels: To find imbalances or toxicities in your soil track micro and macro nutrients. Macro nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and calcium and micro nutrients like iron, manganese, copper). Cue your favorite Metallica song! Organic matter content: Organic matter like decomposed plant and animal material (humus) that improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient access. Usually 3-5% for most soils supports beneficial soil organisms. Soil texture: Soil texture refers to the proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles in the soil. It determines how well the soil drains and retains water. Temperature: Soil temperature affects seed germination, root growth, and microbial activity. It fluctuates with seasons and weather patterns, and it can vary at different soil depths. Soil moisture levels:  You can prevent over watering or doubt stress by tracking soil moisture as it is essential for effective irrigation management. It ensures crops receive adequate water. Data that is nice to have: Soil microbial activity: Healthy soil has many microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and earthworms, all of which play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and plant health. Cation exchange capacity (CEC): Let's get nerdy on this one, this measures the soil’s ability to hold and exchange essential nutrients, particularly positively charged ions (cations) like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. 2. Weather and Climate Data Weather is an uncontrollable factor, but tracking patterns in temperature, precipitation, and humidity can help you anticipate challenges that may arise. You can start to see if you're experiencing abnormal weather patterns that could affect your crop’s growth cycle. Or if frost dates or heavy rain patterns are changing in your region. Accurate weather data for your farm helps you make informed decisions about planting and harvesting times, irrigation schedules, and potential pest or disease outbreaks. Basic things for farmers to track for weather and climate: Temperature: This affects plant growth, seed germination, and the timing of flowering and fruiting. Both high and low temperatures can have a significant impact on crops (Frost dates or heat stress), so understanding temperature fluctuations throughout the growing season is essential. Track things like growing degree days (GDD). Rainfall: Water is essential for crops, but too little or too much can be problematic. Tracking rainfall helps farmers manage irrigation and avoid issues related to drought or over watering. Hours of sunlight: Sunlight, is crucial for photosynthesis, which drives plant growth. The amount of sunlight received during the day impacts crop development and maturity. Data that is nice to have for weather and climate: Severe Weather Events (Storms, Hail, Tornadoes, etc.) Severe weather events like thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, and hurricanes can cause significant damage to crops, equipment, and infrastructure. As these become more frequent it's important to track them and balances on the basic things you need to track. Relative humidity : Humidity levels influence transpiration (water loss from plants), the spread of diseases, and the rate of evaporation from the soil. Track things like dew point. Wind speed: Strong winds can damage crops, disrupt pollination, dry out the soil, or cause soil erosion. Tracking wind data is particularly important in areas that experience frequent gusts or storms. Barometric pressure: Changes in barometric pressure (the weight of the air) can indicate weather changes, such as the arrival of storms or shifts in weather patterns. 3. Crop Performance Data This includes data on planting dates, growth rates, and yield measurements. Monitoring crop performance data data allows you to track the effectiveness of different seeds, irrigation techniques, how much hay you baled, and fertilization schedules. It also enables you to spot early signs of pest, disease problems, or poor soil. Tracking performance over multiple growing seasons provides invaluable insights into trends and helps you adjust for future crops. Basic things that farmers need to track for crop performance: Plant growth stages: Tracking the key growth stages of crops, such as germination, flowering, fruiting, and ripening, is crucial for understanding how plants are developing and when they will be ready for harvest. Yield data and quality: Tracking the yield of each crop type in terms of weight per acre or bushels per hectare is fundamental for measuring success and identifying areas for improvement. Soil Nutrient Levels and Fertilizer Application: Monitoring soil nutrient levels and tracking when and how much fertilizer is applied to crops is essential for understanding how soil health and nutrients influence crop performance. This can also save you money by not over fertilizing. Pests, disease, and plant stress: Tracking pest and disease pressure in crops helps farmers monitor outbreaks and manage control measures such as pesticides, fungicides, and biological controls. Indicators such as wilting, yellowing or stunted growth can also provide insight. Water Usage: Tracking how much water is being applied to crops and how much moisture the soil retains is crucial for ensuring that plants receive adequate hydration without wasting water. Nice to have things to track for crop performance: Leaf area index (LAI): The Leaf Area Index measures the total leaf area per unit of ground area and is a good indicator of crop canopy development and photosynthesis efficiency. Temperature stress: heat units helps farmers understand how temperature influences crop growth, maturity, and harvest timing. Crop variety performance: Tracking the performance of different crop varieties (e.g., hybrid vs. non-hybrid, drought or pest-resistant varieties) under various conditions helps determine which varieties are best suited for your farm and environment. Soil microbial activity: Soil microbes play a critical role in nutrient cycling, plant growth, and soil health. Tracking microbial activity gives insight into the biological health of the soil and its ability to support healthy crops. Photosynthetic efficiency (Chlorophyll Content) : Chlorophyll content in plants can be monitored to assess photosynthetic efficiency, which impacts crop growth and yield potential.  Weed Pressure: Tracking weed density and competition can help assess how well crops are competing with weeds for nutrients, light, and space. 4. Equipment Efficiency and Maintenance Data Farm equipment is a significant investment for your farm. Having a tool that doesn't work, is useless. The downtime of getting that equipment up and running might cost you a harvest. It's vital to keep track of when equipment needs maintenance, what parts you have on-hand, fuel usage, and more. You might even want to keep track of who the last operator was. These tasks help to maintain your machines operational efficiency and are key to maximizing your machinery’s lifespan and minimizing costly repairs. It also helps you evaluate if it’s time to upgrade your equipment or if certain machines aren’t performing as expected. Basic things for farmers to track for equipment: Operating Hours (Runtime): Tracking the total number of hours each piece of equipment has been used is critical for managing maintenance schedules and understanding the wear and tear on machines. Fuel Consumption: Monitoring fuel usage per hour or per task provides insight into the efficiency of your equipment and helps identify areas for optimization. Maintenance and Service Schedules: Keeping track of when maintenance tasks like oil changes, tire rotations, or engine checks were performed ensures that the equipment remains in good working order and it works when you need it. Set up reminders so you don't forget. Tire Pressure and Condition: Tractors and machinery used on uneven or rough terrain need a good working set of tires to get you there and back. Oil and Fluid Levels: Checking and tracking oil, coolant, and hydraulic fluid levels are essential for ensuring that equipment runs smoothly and that it doesn’t overheat or sustain damage due to a lack of lubrication. Nice to have things to track for machinery and equipment: Telematics and Remote Diagnostics: Telematics systems can provide detailed diagnostics of equipment, such as engine temperature, tire pressure, hydraulic pressure, and overall system performance. Operator Behavior and Efficiency: Tracking data on how equipment operators are using the machinery, including speed, idling time, and driving habits, can provide insights into operational efficiency and fuel consumption. Weather Conditions at Time of Use: Tracking weather conditions (temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc.) during equipment usage can help determine the most efficient times to operate machinery, as well as prevent damage during adverse weather. Productivity data: Tracking output in terms of area covered (e.g., acres plowed, hectares harvested) relative to time spent helps assess the productivity of your equipment. Emissions: Monitoring emissions from farm equipment, especially those using diesel, can give insights into the environmental impact of farm operations. 5. Labor Data Labor costs are a major expense on most farms. Tracking hours worked, labor efficiency, and costs per task can help optimize the farm workforce . Are your laborers working efficiently? Are certain tasks taking more time than they should? This data can reveal potential areas where automation or different practices could improve efficiency. Basic things for farmers to track for labor: Work hours (Time Tracking): Tracking the number of hours each worker spends on specific tasks is fundamental to understanding labor costs and productivity. Labor costs (Wages) : Tracking labor costs per worker or per task is essential for calculating the total cost of labor on the farm. Task assignments, completion status, productivity: Tracking what tasks each worker is assigned and whether those tasks are completed on time is essential for farm efficiency and planning. Productivity tracking ensures that workers are operating efficiently and that tasks are being completed in a timely manner. It also helps identify bottlenecks or areas where additional training might be needed. Breaks and time off: Tracking breaks, vacation days, sick days, and any other time off helps with labor scheduling and maintaining accurate payroll records. Safety and incident reports: Tracking accidents, injuries, and safety violations is crucial for maintaining a safe work environment not to mention labor compliance. Nice to haves for farmers to track for labor: Employee training and development: Tracking the training, certifications, and skills of workers can enhance their performance, happiness and increase the overall effectiveness of farm operations. Labor turnover (employee retention): Tracking the turnover rate, reasons for leaving, and rehiring trends can give insight into workforce satisfaction and retention. Shift Optimization: Tracking and optimizing labor schedules ensures that the right number of workers are available during peak times and seasons and that work is evenly distributed. Overtime Tracking: You might not offer overtime but if you are add this to the must have list. Tracking overtime hours helps ensure that workers are not exceeding the legal or contractual limits on overtime and helps manage labor costs. Employee engagement and satisfaction: Depending on your workplace environment this might be on the must have list. Tracking employee feedback, morale, and job satisfaction provides insight into how workers feel about their work environment and management. Technology and Equipment Usage by Worker: Tracking which workers are using which equipment or technology, and how efficiently they are using it, can help improve machinery allocation and training needs. Weather, health and wellness monitoring: Tracking health and wellness metrics, such as worker fatigue, stress levels, and overall well-being, can improve farm safety and performance. It can also improve morale and let you understand labor requirements with scheduling and preparing for busy or downtime. 6. Financial and Cost Data Tracking your farm’s financial health is crucial to long-term success. Monitoring income and expenses across different areas (like seed, fertilizer, feed, and labor) helps you keep a clear picture of farm profitability . Focus on the high-impact areas, like your cost per bushel, Average Daily Gain ADG , or return on investment (ROI) for certain inputs. Keeping track of your farm finances helps you make adjustments in areas that could lead to significant savings or increased profits. Basic things for farmers to track for finances Income and Revenue: Tracking all sources of income is crucial for understanding how much money is coming into the business. This includes income from crop sales, livestock, government subsidies, and any other income-generating activities. The P&L statement shows the farm’s revenues, costs, and expenses over a specific period (e.g., monthly or annually), providing a snapshot of profitability. Return on investment ROI: Understanding your return on investment cannot be understated as one of the most important things to track on your farm. This metrics helps you run your farm like a business and understand if you're making a profit and where to cut your losses. Operating expenses: Recording day-to-day operating costs is essential for knowing how much it costs to run the farm. This includes expenses like labor, fuel, equipment maintenance, fertilizers, seeds, irrigation, and insurance. Add in here your break even analysis to track when and how much the farm needs to earn to cover its costs. Cash flow: Cash flow is the difference between the cash that comes into the business and the cash that goes out. It’s vital for understanding the farm’s liquidity and its ability to cover short-term obligations. Assets, loans, and liability tracking: Tracking the farm’s assets (e.g., land, equipment, livestock, buildings) and liabilities (e.g., loans, credit lines) provides a clear picture of the farm’s net worth.  It’s also vital for understanding the farm’s liquidity and its ability to cover short-term obligations. Taxes: This one will bite you if you don't keep up with it. Keeping track of income tax, property tax, sales tax, and other applicable taxes is necessary for staying compliant with regulations and avoiding penalties. Seasonal Profitability: Tracking the profitability of specific crops or products over the course of the year helps farmers determine which items to prioritize based on seasonality and demand. Nice to haves for farmers to track for finances: Subsidies and Grants: If you can, monitoring any government subsidies, grants, or financial assistance that may be available to you. Market Prices and Trends: Tracking market prices for crops, livestock, and inputs can help farmers make informed decisions about when to sell, buy, or hold off on certain products. Insurance Costs and Claims: Tracking premiums paid for insurance coverage (e.g., crop, livestock, property) and any claims made can help with assessing risk management costs and benefits. 7. Water Usage and Irrigation Data Water is becoming an increasingly limited resource, especially in areas affected by drought. Monitoring water usage and adjusting irrigation schedules can save both money and the environment. With smart irrigation systems and soil moisture sensors, you can optimize water usage, ensuring that crops receive exactly what they need while minimizing waste. Basic things for farmers to track for water usage Income and Revenue: Tracking all sources of income is crucial for understanding how much money is coming into the business. This includes income from crop sales, livestock, government subsidies, and any other income-generating activities. The P&L statement shows the farm’s revenues, costs, and expenses over a specific period (e.g., monthly or annually), providing a snapshot of profitability. Nice to haves for farmers to track for water usage: Subsidies and Grants:  If you can, monitoring any government subsidies, grants, or financial assistance that may be available to you. 8. Tasks and Events It is very easy to forget that you did something, so make sure that you write it down. Often we think we will remember but we're all human and unfortunately things can slip our minds. I can't tell you how many farmers I speak with that say keeping track of tasks on the farm is one of the things they need the most help with. Using farm management software like Farmbrite can help with this. Basic things for farmers to track for water usage Total water usage (Volume or Flow): Tracking the total volume of water used for irrigation is fundamental for understanding overall water consumption on the farm. Irrigation system efficiency and cost: Monitoring the efficiency of your irrigation system (e.g., drip, sprinkler, or surface irrigation) by measuring the water delivered versus the water needed by crops helps ensure the system is functioning optimally. As well as monitoring the cost associated with this infrastructure can help you cut costs where you can. Soil moisture levels: Measuring soil moisture at various depths (e.g., surface, mid-root zone, deep root zone) helps ensure that crops are receiving enough water without over-irrigating. Water source monitoring: Tracking the quantity and quality of the water from your source(s) (e.g., wells, rivers, reservoirs, or municipal systems) is important for managing supply, toxicity, and ensuring long-term sustainability of your water supply. Irrigation Schedules: Keeping track of when irrigation occurs, how often, and for how long, ensures that water is being applied at the correct times and in the right amounts. Nice to haves for farmers to track for water usage: Evapotranspiration (ET): Evapotranspiration is the combined process of evaporation from the soil and transpiration from plants. Tracking ET rates helps determine the water needs of crops based on climate conditions and plant growth stages. Weather and rainfall data (Temperature, Humidity, Wind Speed, Moisture): Tracking local weather data can help farmers predict water needs based on ET, precipitation and weather patterns. Water usage per crop type: Tracking water usage by crop type can help identify which crops are using more water and adjust irrigation accordingly to prevent overuse or underuse. System maintenance and repair logs: Tracking the maintenance and repairs of irrigation equipment ensures that the system is always functioning properly, preventing water wastage due to leaks or broken equipment. Water storage capacity: Tracking the amount of water available in storage (e.g., reservoirs, tanks, ponds) can help manage resources during periods of low rainfall or drought. Water loss through evaporation or runoff: Monitoring the amount of water lost through evaporation or runoff can help farmers reduce waste and optimize irrigation practices. 9. Inventory Understanding what farm inventory items you have on hand is a large component to keeping an organized and efficient farm. It's a crucial component for farms to ensure that essential supplies are always available, minimize waste where you can, and optimize spending. Efficient tracking of inventory helps farmers avoid running out of critical resources like seeds, fertilizers, and feed, while also reducing overstock and spoilage. Basic things for farmers to track for inventory: Livestock feed and supplies (for Animal Farms): Tracking inventory of animal feed, bedding, medications, and other supplies for livestock ensures animals are well-cared for. Fertilizers and soil amendments: Tracking the quantity and type of fertilizers, compost, and soil amendments helps ensure the farm has the necessary nutrients for soil health and optimal crop growth. Seed inventory: Tracking the quantity and types of seeds on hand is essential for crop planning, planting schedules, and ensuring that the right varieties are available when needed. Pesticides and herbicides: Monitoring the amount of pesticides, herbicides, and other crop protection chemicals ensures that the farm is stocked with the right supplies for pest and weed management. Equipment and tools inventory: Tracking farm equipment and tools—including tractors, plows, sprayers, and hand tools—is necessary for maintenance scheduling and ensuring everything needed for farm operations is available. Water and irrigation supplies: Tracking the availability of irrigation supplies, such as hoses, sprinklers, pumps, and drip lines, is essential to ensure proper watering and irrigation efficiency. Spare parts and maintenance supplies: Having a record of spare parts, lubricants, and other maintenance supplies for equipment helps avoid operational delays. Packaging Materials: Packaging materials (e.g., boxes, bags, labels, crates) helps ensure that the farm is prepared for post-harvest processing and shipping. Storage and yields: Tracking crops stored in silos, warehouses, or coolers, including the quantity and condition, is helpful for managing sales and preventing spoilage or loss. Tracking what products you have on-hand to sell is vital to your operation. Rotation and shelf life is very important to track for safety reasons. Nice to haves for farmers to track for inventory: Crop covers (row covers, mulch, etc.): Tracking inputs like mulch, tents, and row covers can help manage costs and ensure that all crop protection methods are there when you need them. Fuel: Tracking fuel (such as diesel for machinery or electricity for cold storage), and other energy-related consumables like batteries for flashlights helps keep your farm running smoothly. Consumables (Gloves, Safety Gear, etc.): Tracking consumables like gloves, safety gear, chemicals, and cleaning supplies can help manage stock levels and ensure worker safety. Tools and supplies for specialized activities: Tracking tools or supplies for specialized activities, such as grafting tools, pruning shears, or seedling trays, ensures that the farm has the right equipment for all its farming operations. What Data Might You Be Tracking That Isn’t Helping? While the above categories are crucial, many farmers fall into the trap of tracking data that doesn’t contribute to their bottom line or operational success. Here are a few examples of data that might not be worth your time: 1. Overly Detailed Weather Data Unless you're working in a niche environment where every microclimate matters (e.g., a greenhouse or a high-value crop operation), spending too much time tracking every minor weather fluctuation may lead to unnecessary distractions. Focus on the bigger picture — like average rainfall, temperature ranges, and extreme weather events. 2. Unnecessary Crop Data Tracking every detail of each crop variety may be overkill if you're already measuring yield performance, growth stages, and health. Instead, focus on the varieties that provide the best return on investment and track data related to these crops. 3. Excessive Social Media Metrics While social media can be a great tool for marketing and connecting with customers, tracking likes, shares, and other engagement metrics may not directly improve your farm’s productivity. Focus more on customer feedback or conversion rates, and only track social media performance as part of a broader marketing strategy. 4. Too Much Data on Farm Size and Structure Tracking dimensions of fields and various structural components (barns, roads, etc.) may not always yield useful insights unless you’re specifically planning for expansion or reorganization. Keep this data to a minimum and focus on operational factors that actually affect productivity. How to Ensure You're Tracking the Right Data Identify Your Key Goals : Are you aiming to increase yield, reduce input costs, or improve sustainability? Your data needs to align with these priorities. Define clear farm goals before you begin tracking information. Use Smart Technology : Invest in farm software and hardware that can help you collect and analyze data efficiently. Use farm management platforms or apps that integrate multiple data sources to give you a holistic view of your operation. Regularly Review and Adjust : Data needs evolve. Regularly review the data you're tracking and adjust it as necessary. If certain metrics aren’t helping, stop tracking them, and divert that effort to more critical areas on your farm that need to be tracked. Focus on Actionable Insights : It’s not enough to just collect data. Ensure that you can translate that data into actionable insights that drive decisions. If you can’t act on the data you’re tracking, it might not be worth the time. Using Data On Your Farm The future of farming lies in data-driven decisions. But to make the most out of your data, it’s essential to track the right metrics and focus on what truly impacts your farm’s performance. By filtering out the noise and focusing on what matters most — whatever that might be for your farm - soil health, weather, crop performance, equipment, labor, and financial health — you’ll be able to make smarter, more efficient decisions that drive long-term success on your farm. In the end, the best data is not necessarily the most data — it’s the data that helps you grow your farm with confidence. So, take a step back, review what you’re tracking, and make sure that every piece of data serves a clear and actionable purpose. Your farm will thank you for it. As always, we help farms and ranches be more productive and profitable with our farm and ranch management software , Farmbrite . Give us a try for your farm today. And happy farming!

Getting Started, Benefits, and How To Manage At Scale With the demand for organic fertilizer ever rising, compositing will continue to grow in popularity and profitability. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2018, food waste alone made up approximately 24% of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in the United States. Unfortunately, a substantial portion of this organic waste ends up in landfills, where it decomposes anaerobically, producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. According to the U.S. Composting Council, the volume of compost sold has been steadily increasing over the years as composting gains popularity and awareness about its benefits grows. In recent years, the sale of compost has been reported to be in the millions of cubic yards annually. Often, farms have some of the best compost around. You might consider selling it from your farm. To help you start and manage a successful small- or large-scale compost business or to learn about how to best compost on your small farm, we have shared some insights below. What Is Composting? Composting is a natural aerobic process by which effective microorganisms convert organic materials into a more stable and usable form referred to as compost. Therefore, compost is a mass of fully decomposed organic matter (from material such as food scraps, animal manure, or plant waste products). The effective microorganisms that break down organic matter during composting are usually the aerobic decomposers, including naturally occurring bacteria and fungi. Composting differs from anaerobic decomposition in that the former is an oxygen-dependent process resulting in carbon dioxide, water, energy, and black humus, while the latter is an oxygen-nondependent process that produces methane, water, and carbon dioxide. A typical anaerobic decomposition occurs in landfills, producing methane, which causes the catastrophic greenhouse effect and global warming. Composting is done on a small scale (home composting) or a large scale (industrial composting). Mature compost is usually added to farms as a soil conditioner and an organic fertilizer. How Does Composting Work As stated earlier, composting is a controlled aerobic decomposition (requires oxygen) carried out by naturally occurring microorganisms. This process requires an optimum level of carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, oxygen, moisture, and temperature. A balance between carbon and nitrogen is crucial for the decomposers to grow and multiply. Green organic material contains nitrogen, while brown organic matter has carbon. So, you should balance the green and brown materials to maintain an optimum carbon-nitrogen ratio. Air is also an equally important parameter in composting because the decomposers use it for respiration. Insufficient oxygen leads to anaerobic fermentation, which might generate an unpleasant smell. You can ensure your compost is aerated by turning it regularly. Similarly, correct moisture levels enable the microorganisms to break down the organic material faster. On the contrary, excessive water content in the compost can slow down the process. You can regulate the moisture in your compost by balancing fresh and dry materials. Besides, you can water the compost if it becomes too dry. Lastly, temperature is an indicator of microbial activity. High temperature indicates that decomposition is happening quickly, whereas low temperature denotes a decrease in microbial activity. Benefits Of Composting If used correctly, compost can save you money by lowering soil maintenance costs, providing clean manure, and enhancing sustainability. Here are some of the benefits of composting: A mature compost contains essential nutrients in smaller quantities compared to synthetic fertilizers. So, the compost can be applied in large quantities to serve as an organic fertilizer, which can act as a substitute for chemical fertilizers. Composting helps minimize the greenhouse effect, global warming, and climate change. Unlike anaerobic digestion, a well-aerated and watered compost emits reduced amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases, which are known to promote global warming. Compost improves the soil’s nutrient retention ability and balances pH and soil density as well. These critical aspects of the soil boost healthy plant growth. Composting increases soil microorganisms, which capture and store atmospheric carbon dioxide in a more stable form (carbon sequestration). Adding cured compost to your farm increases water infiltration and binds the soil together, reducing soil erosion. Composting produces heat energy, which can be tapped and used to heat homes or warehouses. Composting is an awesome waste management technique. When you compost, you reduce the amount of waste dumped in landfills and recycle organic waste into soil conditioners. Disadvantages Of Composting Although composting has a wide range of benefits, it is not without limitations. Below are some of the disadvantages: If you don’t provide enough air and moisture, decomposition will occur slowly and anaerobically. This may lead to low-quality compost or the production of an irritating smell. Composting generates certain amounts of greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide. Controlling unpleasant smells can be costly, especially when composting is done near residential areas. Organic compost might not contain enough macronutrients needed by plants. Therefore, compost has to be applied in large amounts or be supplemented with inorganic fertilizers. People in the urban setting don’t separate organic from inorganic trash, making composting such waste difficult. Which Materials Can Be Composted? Most organic materials are suitable for composting. These include: Potato peels, Crushed eggshells, Banana peels Avocado skin Grass clippings Plant and tree leaves Small plant branches Wood chips, shavings, or sawdust Coffee grounds and tea Paper tea bags Black and white newspaper Other food and vegetable scraps Vegetative manure What To Avoid Adding To Compost Manure from pigs, cats, dogs, humans, and other non-herbivores might contain pathogenic microorganisms and shouldn’t be added to the compost. Petroleum products such as grease, engine oils, or fats. Painted wood, leaves, or shavings Meat, bones, and dairy products Invasive weeds Diseased plants Colored newspapers and magazines How To Start Composting Although composting is a great way to keep your garden soil healthy and lively, many gardeners and small-scale farmers don’t compost their organic waste. Some farmers believe that compost produces an unpleasant smell; others are impatient to wait for it to mature, but a great number do not know where to start. Below are the simple steps to start your home composting 1. Separate food and vegetable scraps from other wastes First, separate the biodegradable waste from the non-biodegradable materials. For a start, you can set aside easily degradable materials such as fruit and vegetable waste. You can also use select coffee grounds, eggshells, and tea bags. However, you should avoid meat and dairy products since such products attract rodents into the compound. 2. Keep the food scraps Properly store the food scraps you have set aside as you assemble enough waste for composting. 3. Choose the location for your compost At this stage, you choose an appropriate site for composting depending on the amount of space available in your residence. Composting at home can be done in the backyard. However, you can use compost bins available in the market for those without backyards. 4. Prepare the compost mix The “greens” and “browns” we mentioned earlier apply at this stage. "Greens" refer to green organic matter such as fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, or grass clippings. Greens are rich in nitrogen, which is an essential nutrient for microbial growth and reproduction. On the other hand, "Browns" contain much-needed carbon and include newspapers, egg cartons, pine needles, and dried leaves. The role of browns in compost is to provide food and energy to the bacteria and fungi responsible for decomposition. Ensure you crush eggshells and shred papers before adding them to the compost pile. Generally, green materials are wet, whereas brown materials are dry. When piling, you should ensure the browns are at the bottom and the wet greens on the top. This technique of layering ensures the compost is wet and aerated, enabling decomposers to break down organic materials effectively. 5. Wait for decomposition to occur After you have prepared your compost mix, you should wait for it to mature. The time taken for a compost to mature will depend on location. In warmer regions, compost can take as little as two months to get cured. On the contrary, compost in cold regions can take over five months to mature. Note that you should turn the compost regularly, maybe once every week. Turning keeps the compost sufficiently aerated and ensures that it is evenly decomposed. 6. Harvest and use As the compost matures, it will turn from a raw greenish brown color to dark brown humus with a likable earthly aroma. It will also cool down because decomposition has ended. If your compost meets these checks, it is ready to be used. 7. Selling your compost Add this to your business plan. Selling your compost can be done by the bucket load or only in bulk. Decide how you want to price your compost, market it, and deliver it. After you write down how you want to sell this product and for how much, you can get the word out to your customers, neighbors, and local garden centers. Types of Large-scale composting In-Vessel Composting In-vessel biodegradation can process huge quantities of waste while taking up less space than the windrow technique, and it can handle almost any kind of organic waste (e.g., meat, animal manure, biosolids, food scraps). Organic materials are fed into a drum, silo, concrete-lined trench, or similar piece of equipment using this method. This allows for precise control of environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and airflow. To ensure that the material is aerated, it is mechanically turned or mixed. The size and capacity of the vessel can vary. This method yields compost in a matter of weeks. It will be a few weeks or months before it is ready to use because the microbial activity must be balanced, and the pile must cool. Onsite Composting Institutions that plan to compost small quantities of food scraps can do so on-site. Composting can considerably reduce the amount of food that is wasted. Yard waste and small amounts of food scraps can also be composted on-site. Animal waste and large amounts of organic waste are not suitable for onsite composting. Aerated Static Pile Composting Compost is produced relatively quickly by aerated static pile composting (within three to six months). It works well for larger quantity generators of yard trimmings and compostable municipal solid waste (e.g., food scraps, paper products), such as local governments, landscapers, or farms. However, this method is ineffective for composting animal byproducts or grease from food processing industries. Organic waste is mixed in a large pile in aerated static pile composting. Layers of loosely piled bulking agents (e.g., wood chips, shredded newspaper) are added to the pile to allow air to pass from the bottom to the top. The piles can also be placed on top of a pipe system that supplies or draws air into the pile. A timer or thermistors could activate air blowers. Aerated (Turned) Windrow Composting Aerated or turned windrow composting is appropriate for large volumes, such as those generated by entire neighborhoods and collected by local governments, as well as high-volume food-processing operations (e.g., restaurants, cafeterias, and packing plants). It will produce a significant amount of compost, which may necessitate assistance in marketing the end product. Municipalities may wish to make compost available to residents at a low or no cost. This method of composting entails separating the organic waste into rows of long piles known as "windrows" and aerating them regularly by turning the piles manually or mechanically. The ideal pile height is four to eight feet, with a width of 14 to sixteen feet. The size of the pile generates enough heat to keep temperatures stable. It's indeed small enough to allow oxygen to circulate to the core of the pile. This technique can compost a wide range of wastes, including yard trimmings, grease, liquids, and animal byproducts (such as fish and poultry waste). Keep track of your compost, plantings, tasks , and more with Farmbrite, an All-in-One farm management software that fits small to medium-sized farms. Try it free for 14 days . Vermicomposting To make compost, red worms in bins consume food scraps, yard trimmings, and other organic matter. Worms decompose this material into high-quality compost known as castings. Worm bins are simple to build and can also be purchased. A pound of mature worms (roughly 800-1,000 worms) can consume up to half a pound of organic matter per day. The bins can be customized to accommodate the volume of kitchen waste that will be converted into castings. Producing usable castings typically takes 3 to 4 months. Castings can be used to make potting soil. Worm tea, another byproduct of vermicomposting , is often used as a high-quality liquid fertilizer for potted plants or gardens. Safety Precautions When handling waste, use standard safety precautions (e.g., washing your hands afterward and avoiding touching your face are just a few). Wear a dust mask while tending to your pile if you have a condition that predisposes you to an allergic reaction or infection, especially in dry weather. Take a look at your local restrictions on selling your compost, and take a look at these GAP practices that you can use to keep you and your customers safe. Final Thoughts Composting is an important tool in environmental conservation and the global fight against climate change, among other things. Compost benefits the climate in several ways, including lowering greenhouse gas emissions at landfills, encouraging vegetation to absorb carbon dioxide, and making our projects and gardens more resilient to the effects of climate change.