Going the Extra Mile To Reduce Waste on Your Farm
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If we’re to do right by the planet we all share, each and every one of us needs to do our part for a more sustainable tomorrow. And that’s as true for us as consumers as it is for us as farmers. In our day to day lives there are a plethora of ways in which we can live more sustainably and consume fewer resources in ways that don’t come at the expense of our lifestyles. For example, we can install low flow shower heads, buy fewer pre-packaged goods and repurpose and recycle instead of throwing our waste into landfill. Not to mention taking steps to reduce energy consumption from switching to CFL light bulbs and installing smart meters around the home to track energy usage.
Nonetheless, as eco-friendly farmers it’s understandable that we might feel inclined to go the extra mile to make our farms and our homes as sustainable as possible. And since one of the greatest enemies of sustainability is waste, here are some ways in which you can go the extra mile to reduce waste on the farm...
Stay agile to reduce the impact of weather on crop yields
All farmers know that careful planning is the best way to reduce waste when it comes to crop yields. However, there’s one variable in the ever-shifting equation of farming for which one can never really account… the weather. While you should always have plans for your crops, they should never be set in stone and you should always keep a close eye on the effects the weather has on your yields. Here are some ideas on how the world of agriculture can learn from the world of tech in terms of agile planning.
Repurpose your commercial fertiliser
Many sustainably-minded farmers use organically derived commercial fertilisers to maximise yields and reduce seed wastage. However, if you find yourself with an abundance of commercial fertiliser, whatever you do don’t throw it away. There are many uses of commercial fertilisers outside of agriculture. Use it on your lawn to keep it lush and verdant or donate it to your local school, park, football or cricket pitch. Your community will thank you for it and you’ll take a bold step towards reducing waste and operating at peak eco-efficiency.
Don’t leave your harvests to chance
The harvest represents some of the hardest working days on a farm… and it’s also a time when there’s a great propensity for food waste. It’s essential to maintain open lines of communication within your team throughout the harvest and ensuring that every employee knows exactly what they’re doing and has the resources to track their progress to reduce harvest waste.
For example, while you’ve invested a great deal in your machinery, machines inevitably miss crops when harvesting. It may be worth scheduling some time for a member of your team to follow along behind your machines to catch any areas or crops missed by the machine.
Invest in your storage infrastructure
Finally, storage represents great potential for food waste, so it’s important not only to invest in good refrigeration but to ensure that storage facilities are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to crop storage so that bacteria cannot cause food waste.
