Preparing Your Farm for Summer
For most farms, summer is a challenging time because it’s both part of the spring growing season and part of the fall harvest season, depending on where you are and what you’ve planted. Here in the Midwest, you also have to contend with some severe weather, including high heat, dry weather, tornadoes and heavy thunderstorms. All of this can make farm management difficult if you don’t plan ahead.
High Plains Equipment is your North Dakota farm equipment dealer, with locations in Devils Lake and Harvey. Below, you’ll find some helpful suggestions for readying yourself, your farm equipment and your farm itself for summertime.
Equipment Maintenance
Staying on top of equipment maintenance will ensure that your machinery functions as it should for planting, tending and harvesting crops. Check the owner’s manual for each piece of equipment to determine when you should change oil and lubricate parts. Always ensure that your equipment has plenty of clean, fresh fuel and aired-up tires. If you work in especially dusty conditions, keep an eye on the air filters and change them out as needed.
Attending To Your Health
When you work outside in the heat, you are vulnerable to heat exhaustion, dehydration, severe sunburn and even heatstroke, so it’s really important to make sure that you’re being safe. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight clothing in natural fabrics and light colors to protect your head, face, neck and skin from the sun. Try to work during the early morning or early evening rather than mid-afternoon so you can avoid the hottest part of the day.
Apply high SPF sunscreen to any exposed skin and make sure to reapply it, especially if you sweat a lot. Try to stay in the shade as much as you can and keep water handy so you can stay hydrated. If you find yourself feeling too fatigued or even dizzy, get inside and sit or lay down near a fan or air-conditioning unit and consume fluids to cool down.
Checking On Animals
Your livestock will also need tending during the hot summer months. Make sure that the barn is open and that there are shady places for your animals to retreat to. Also, check their water daily and ensure that they always have fresh and clean water to drink. During storms, you’ll want to make sure to put animals in the barn and secure it as well as possible. Do not leave animals out in the field or tied to a fence in the event of a tornado or other serious storm!
Looking to purchase some new farm equipment? Come on down to see us at our locations in Harvey and Devils Lake, ND, to check out our fine selection of new and used farm equipment for sale. Our finance department can assist you with your purchase if need be. High Plains Equipment serves the communities of Minot and Grand Forks, ND.