The Farmers Mart Oct/Nov 2013 - Issue 30

PREPARE FOR WINTER DON’T BE CAUGHT OUT PREPARE FOR WINTER Given the huge problems the weather has thrown at us in the past few years alone, farmers, more than most businesses, need to be as prepared as they can be for potentially severe weather in advance. Identify your business risks and have an action/ contingency plan. HOUSING AND SNOW OR STORM DAMAGE Have you identified buildings that may be particularly vulnerable? Have you identified alternative or additional housing options (perhaps in conjunction with neighbouring farms)? Have you made plans to allow you to accommodate expansion of stock numbers (particularly in intensive situations) if you cannot get stock off farm? LOCATION OF LIVESTOCK Do you have prepared plans in place to reduce risk for ‘remote’ stock in the event of a ‘bad’ forecast? Have you identified ‘safe’ and accessible areas to which stock may be moved in the event of a ‘bad’ forecast? FEED Have you factored in adequate feed supplies? If not, have you considered how you are going to maintain stocks during periods of severe weather and transport disruption? Have you considered the early dispersal of feed stocks in strategic locations - perhaps in conjunction with neighbouring farmers? 56 Oct/Nov 2013 FarmersMart BEDDING Have you sufficient stocks of bedding going into winter? Have you secured as much straw as possible under cover (either in buildings or under sheeting)? Are you aware of alternative options to ‘conventional’ bedding? PLANNING WITH NEIGHBOURING FAMRS Have you considered the benefits of joint planning with neighbouring farms to ensure critical business activity can be sustained? Have you discussed with neighbouring farmers the mutual benefits of joint contingency arrangements? MACHINERY Is your machinery ‘winterproofed’? Is your feeding machinery well serviced as winter approaches? Have you a back-up feeding system in place? Have you shed capacity freed up to ensure that tractor fuel systems have some frost protection? SLURRY Have you ensured no surface/rainwater can enter slurry tanks/Stores? Have you sufficient storage capacity or have you contingency solutions in place? Have you emptied your slurry store(s) in preparation for winter in order to avoid the need to spread during unsuitable conditions (or NVZ closed periods)? Do not move underground slurry with cattle in the building. It can kill! WATER Have you made adequate preparation to ensure that water supplies to stock are secured in the event of freezing conditions? Have you contingency arrangements that you can draw on if necessary, e.g. water bowsers? Have you considered the possibility/benefit of having a continuous flow water system to prevent freezing? FUEL/POWER Have you made provision to have adequate stocks of fuel oil / heating oil going into winter? Have you sufficient storage capacity? Are your fuel tanks/stores secure? Do you know where you can source ‘emergency’ fuel stocks if necessary? Have you considered the need for ‘emergency’ generators? ACCESS How are you going to ensure vital access and exit points are kept open? Have you contingencies in place to allow you to clear snow with your own equipment or local equipment? Have you sufficient stocks of salt / grit to keep vital access and exit points open? INSURANCE Have you reviewed your insurance cover in light of recent severe winters/st ?H[XY?O\?H[?H???Y[?][?H]?B?Y\]X]H[??\?[??H??\?[??X?O??\?[?\?[??\?[??H?X?B?[??YH??\???8?&?]?\?B??X]\????H[XY?x?&O?PS ??Q?UB?Y\????H?????H?\?H?Z[[??X^H?\?[??H[??\??\????[[????[?\?[[?[XY?H?]?[????\?H?H?Z[[????\?Y\????[\??\??S?H?\????Y??H?[[?[????????H?Z[[????[?\?Z?[???\Z\????X]?\?H??[?H^\??\?Y??[??X\?[????????HH????\?\?H\?H?X[S??T????]\?[??H?Z[[?????\?B??H?X][??[?\]X[?Y[????H??X?\?K??[?H]?[???Z[[????\?B??\?X[??\?K??\?B?\?H\??\?X?[?]H?Z[[??\?]?\?????\?[???\?B?\????[??[??[?\?B??Z[[??[?[[?[??X?[?\??Y[??\??YY?]?HH??\][??\???[?]\?\??\??Y\??Y?B?????????XY[?K?\?]????\?Y\??[X\????Z??

The Farmers Mart Oct/Nov 2013 - Issue 30 | Page 56