Here’s How to Get Your Farm Ready for the Season

Whether you run a hobby farm, homestead, or larger agri-business, you need to inspect your farming supplies and equipment at the start of each season. Check your barn door hardware to ensure the mechanism operates smoothly, and test your barn fans for proper ventilation. If you use a tractor or other farm vehicles, make sure the hitch pins are ready for towing. Livestock feed equipment can also take a beating so examine your chicken feeders, chick waterers, and stock tanks and replace them if necessary. A few extra feed scoops, muck buckets, and hay forks can also come in handy.

You’ll also want to walk your property to check for any damaged fencing, and identify new areas where fencing is required. Hardware cloth can protect your vegetable gardens from small herbivores, and help keep your chickens and rabbits safe from smaller predators. Chicken wire is essential for maintaining coops, hutches, and other animal enclosures. Welded wire fencing offers a stronger option and can also be used to make tree guards and animal cages. If deer are a problem, a seven-foot high deer fence will help protect your fruit trees and berry bushes. Chain link fencing is ideal for separating your outdoor living spaces from farm areas. Be sure to have a post hole digger on hand for easy installation.