There is always work to do on a farming property but unless you schedule regular maintenance in the short term, you could be inundated with larger costs in the long term. Here are some maintenance tips that will keep your farm safe, working efficiently and looking presentable.
Machinery Maintenance
- Ensure all your staff is trained on how to operate and repair machinery so that any problems can be fixed immediately and not left to a particular person
- Keep your machinery clean so that any wear and tear is easily identifiable
- Lubricate your machinery regularly to reduce friction and increase their longevity
- Schedule regular services and stick to them
Property Maintenance
- Plant a cover crop for unused pasture in order to: keep it healthy, build fertile soil, suppress weeds and control pests
- Walk the fenceline of your property to: check posts (and fix if rotten or leaning), check gate latches, test the electric fences
Building Maintenance
- Check animal quarters for any damage or problems
- Check the family residence for building wear and tear
Overall, have a system to follow. You may like to repair issues as you find them or take notes and schedule a set number of hours each week or month to address them altogether. Revisit the plan and goals for your farm on a regular basis and check that you are on target in terms of the quality of your farming vehicles, land and buildings.
If you have an issue with any of the buildings on your property that are beyond repair, including the family home, you may wish to consider a prefabricated modular building to replace the original. The buildings are factory built, aesthetically pleasing and can be made in a fraction of the time that it takes to build traditional buildings onsite. Contact us for more information.