How Farms Can Power Themselves Through Winter

By Emily Folk

Winter's approach marks a drop in production for many agriculturists, but others power through the weather like any other season. Snow on the ground doesn't mean crop growing or cattle raising has to stop. Farmers find little reason to throw in the towel during winter due to new technologies and better agricultural methods.

Avoid letting the rain and mud lower your spirits by establishing practical techniques for winter farming. Whether you're new to the game or familiar with the rules, you'll find valuable information on maintaining a frosty farm. Here are some ways to move production along until the sunny skies return.

1. Add Windbreaks and Ventilation

Your livestock will need plenty of protection from the wind if you don't keep them inside the barn. Low temperatures aren't dangerous for cows, but windchill is a different story. Plant wind-facing trees to shield your cattle from strong gusts, and construct an outdoor shelter for them to warm up in. Mobile shelters don't require the commitment of a full barn, yet they provide the same wind-blocking advantage.

If you shelter the cattle inside, ensure adequate ventilation to maintain the airflow without freezing them.

2. Grow Winter Plants and Cover Crops

Winter doesn't have to dampen your income if you know which crops will continue the money flow. Winter vegetables like kale, spinach and lettuce grow well in cold weather and produce substantial yields. You're bound to find customers willing to buy these winter veggies, especially with less competition from other farmers.

Add cover crops to your winter to-do list. These plants — typically legumes and grains — rejuvenate the soil by providing biomass and nitrogen. This process leaves you with less work to do in the spring by fertilizing the ground in advance. Life dies back in the winter, but your soil fertility doesn't have to go with it.

3. Implement Backup Measures

It's not unusual for farms to experience power outages during the winter due to snow falling on power lines. These blackouts can derail operations on your farm or ranch by impeding your ability to operate machinery, care for livestock and maintain greenhouses. Installing a backup generator keeps your farm operational during widespread outages, preventing profit loss from losing animals or crops. Lost efficiency from brownouts and blackouts can become a thing of the past with high-quality backup power.

4. Experiment With Hydroponics

You may decide to forgo the upkeep of cover cropping and grow your crops without soil for quicker results. Hydroponic systems are excellent for winter use as long as the water flows consistently to avoid freezing. There are several types you can try, such as the ebb and flow system, deep water culture or the drip system.

Drip systems work well with vertical farming setups, as they allow the water to drip onto the plants and recirculate for continued use. Most growers do vertical agriculture indoors — convenient for protecting your plants from harsh winter weather.

5. Safely Store Your Livestock Feed

Your livestock will need food to carry them through the winter, but so will furry rascals like rats. These creatures can easily destroy feed stores if they sneak in and begin munching away. Protect the supply with rodent-proof containers and rat deterrents.

Stockpile enough feed to sustain your livestock for a few weeks. Avoid storing too much at a time, or it'll spoil before the cattle can eat it. You can pull off winter grazing if your area receives little snow by using supplemental protein and encouraging bale grazing.

6. Stock up for Emergencies

Though you do your best to winterize your farm, it's not unlikely that some animals could fall sick from the cold. Stock up on medical supplies in case this happens to avoid serious illness or death. Ranchers are no strangers to seeing their cattle affected by hypothermia and frostbite. Shelter your small, vulnerable livestock and vaccinate them before the weather turns worse.

Acquire supplies such as obstetrical tubes, feeding bottles and calf pullers for calving. You don't want to get caught unprepared once calving season starts in the thick of winter.

7. Use Solar Energy

Use a solar PV system to complement your backup generator. Solar panels work just as well in winter as they do in summer, if not more. They generate electricity by converting the light they receive from both the sun and snow albedo. This ability makes up for the lower efficiency they may experience due to snowfall. Though snow is obstructive, it cleans your solar panels from debris as it melts — and even light melting will restart electricity production.

Winter Farming Made Easy

Your farm will run like a well-oiled machine through the winter when you implement helpful winterization methods. Get a leg up on the competition by maintaining your land for optimal plant growth and livestock health. Your efforts will cement your status as an agricultural authority.

About the author: Emily is a sustainability writer and avid gardener. You can read more of her work on her site, Conservation Folks, where she writes about helping tomorrow’s planet today.