4 Tips for Family Farms to Prepare for Winter Storms

For many family farms, winter does not mean relaxation, and you also need to be prepared for snowstorms that may occur at any time.

With the onset of winter, the days get shorter and cooler, and the potential for problems increases. From freezing rain to snow and ice, there are many opportunities for bad conditions to arise. But if you plan ahead, you won't be caught off guard when a winter storm hits! And can minimize the loss of the farm. If you're a new farmer and don't know where to start, take these tips into account.  

4 Tips for Family Farms to Prepare for Winter Storms

1. Here are some quick tips to help you prepare for winter storms on your farm:
     * Plan ahead for food preparation and storage, including for farm animals
     * Two-way radio with NOAA function
     * Warm and Heating Items
     * Fortify houses, warehouses, and silos
2. 

Plan ahead for food preparation and storage, including for farm animals

Prepare enough food for the winter, whether it is canned, dehydrated food, dry food, etc., prepare enough food for everyone on the family farm, of course, including farm animals. In the process of preparing, you also need to consider after the snowstorm arrives, when the water and electricity are cut off, if the food can play its role, the stored food should not only be convenient to store but also convenient to eat, without complicated processing.

Two-way radio with NOAA function

It is very important to know the weather. The two-way radio with NOAA can not only let you know the weather in time, but also keep in touch with the outside world when you need help. In the case of power failure, the two-way radio is the most reliable communication tool , In winter, water and power cuts caused by blizzards make you have to make complete preparations under such circumstances.

You need to rehearse and prepare for any contingencies that might arise during extreme weather conditions on your family farms.

Warm and Heating Items

Prepare heating stoves, heating blankets, etc. for members of the family farm so that everyone can be warmed up in the event of a power outage, and make sure your heating equipment is in good condition to prevent firewood from being exposed to freezing in the wind and snow use. You'll also need to think about heating your farm animals.

Fortify houses, warehouses, and silos

Fortify your home ahead of time, and windproof your windows and doors to keep cold drafts from entering and raging winds from destroying your home. You'll also need to spend time doing repairs and inspections on other properties on your farm. Check your roofs (not just on your house, but on your barn and outbuildings) to make sure they can handle the snow load. If there are any leaks or damage, get them fixed before winter hits.

In addition, you should add any necessary insulation. This can be formal, such as adding new insulation to your home, or informal - such as placing bales of straw around your chicken coop. Don’t forget about water lines, either - these freeze up quickly. 

There are also fencing and other farm-specific features. As winter storms approach, the chances of fences being knocked out and barn roofs collapsing under snow loads increase. You have to have these things ready before the storm arrives.

The snowstorm in winter is a huge challenge for family farms. In any case, we must do actually work to help the farm minimize losses.