Understanding the Seasonal Suitability of Contract Farming Services
Timing is crucial in farming, and each season brings its own set of demands and pressures. When you’re short on time or resources, tasks can fall behind. Not good for business.
The nature of agricultural work often means that extra hands are required at specific times of the year – whether it’s managing summer harvests or winter preparation. By hiring agricultural contractors, you not only get the benefit of extra manpower and expertise, but also access to cutting-edge machinery and years of know-how. Here’s why contract farming services make all the difference, season by season.
Spring: Laying the Foundations
Spring is a time of new beginnings, not just for crops, but for livestock too. Farmers are busy preparing the land, planting crops, and ensuring the welfare of their animals, many of which are giving birth. While this season is one of hope and potential, it’s also fraught with challenges.
Contractors come into their own here, helping with everything from fertiliser application to managing herbicides. Using advanced equipment like our KRM Bogballe Spreader, our team of professional contractors can ensure your crops get the precise nutrients they need right from the start.
And let’s not forget livestock – with lambing in full swing, it’s essential to have extra hands on deck to manage the influx of new life.
Summer: Peak Workload
Summer brings the height of the farming calendar. Crops are thriving, and farmers need to be in full gear with weed control, pest management, and ensuring their livestock stays healthy. But it’s also when things can start to get overwhelming.
For crop farmers, June marks the beginning of haybaling and silaging, both of which are crucial for stocking up feed for the colder months. With larger livestock farms, sheep shearing becomes a major task – one that’s as labour-intensive as it is essential. This is where agricultural contractors really shine. Whether it’s supporting large-scale sheep shearing or helping with pest management, summertime agricultural contracting ensure that nothing gets overlooked. Having the option to hire workers just for the summer means you can tackle these labour-heavy tasks efficiently, without the headache of managing full-time staff.
Autumn: Harvest and Beyond
This is the time when all your hard work throughout the year comes to fruition, with crops ready for harvesting. But the harvest season can quickly turn into a race against time, especially with the unpredictable British weather.
Contract farming services can make or break your harvest season. Skilled contractors operate heavy machinery, covering vast areas quickly and efficiently, which is critical when time is of the essence. And with AWSM’s machine hire services, you don’t need to worry about the long-term cost of owning expensive equipment. You get what you need, when you need it – and only for as long as you need it.
As the weather cools, it’s also time to prepare livestock for winter. From sheep spraying to barn checks, contractors can help ensure your livestock are in top shape to face the coming months. It’s about planning ahead – and with contractors, you can ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Winter: The Season of Maintenance and Planning
Winter offers a brief respite after the intense activity of the other seasons, but it’s far from quiet. With the fields cleared, now is the time to focus on maintenance, repairs, and planning for the year ahead. Farm animals need secure, warm shelters, and machinery needs attention after months of heavy use.
This is also the season when nature throws its own set of challenges, with icy roads and snow-covered fields making daily tasks a struggle. Depending on how harsh the winter is, contractors can help by offering snow ploughing and gritting services. Keeping paths clear and safe is essential for farmers to maintain access to their land and livestock, and contractors have the equipment and experience to handle this, even during the harshest of winters.
Farming Services For Every Season
While some seasons may seem more demanding than others, the truth is that farming is a year-round job, with each season bringing its own challenges. Contract farming services are the flexible solution every farmer needs – giving you the help you need, exactly when you need it.
Ready to see how AWSM’s contract farming services can make a difference to your farm? Get in touch today and let’s plan for a successful year ahead.
