While many of us are looking forward to taking to the local slopes and sno-parks for winter recreation through February, our farmers and ranchers in Central Oregon are thinking about spring and gearing up for the upcoming growing season. Our growing season may be short but its success counts on year-round work. Here’s a peek into what farmers are up to in order to prepare for the 2024 harvest.
For ranchers:
Central Oregon ranchers spend some time focusing on pasture management right now. They may be assessing the condition of grazing areas, planning rotational grazing, and considering options for supplemental feeding from other farms if needed.
For those involved in cattle and sheep farming, February and March often coincide with calving and lambing season. This means monitoring pregnant animals, providing appropriate shelter, and being prepared for any assistance animals need during and after the birthing process.
For farmers:
Some farmers begin crop planning, or choosing the amounts and types of crops that they will grow, as soon as they harvest their last crop in the fall. This time of year is crunch time to make sure they are prepared for the summer and fall sales. Crop planning involves deciding on planting dates, crop rotation strategies, and optimizing field and greenhouse layouts to maximize efficiency and yield; factors that influence this include soil conditions, climate, and market demand.
Right now is when some farms are also starting their first seeds in greenhouses or nurseries. For example, this may be the time to plant longer-term crops like brassicas and start thinking about early season greens. This early start allows farmers to get ahead on the growing season.
For both vegetable farmers and livestock and poultry producers:
Central Oregon’s diverse landscape presents unique soil challenges, and this may be a time to address a farm’s soil health. This involves soil testing to for nutrient levels and pH, and the addition of amendments such as compost or organic matter.
Now is also the time for business development and business planning. This could mean assessing market demands, setting prices, starting hiring seasonal work, and coordinating with distributors or local markets. Winter is also when many grant and funding opportunities are open, such as HDFFA’s On-Farm Efficiency Grant or larger USDA/NRCS grants, so many farmers are spending time researching and writing grant proposals. In addition, there may be opportunities for conferences, professional development, or workshops, so farmers may be pursuing these resources and educational events. For example, OSU hosts the Small Farms Conference each year, and this year the Central Oregon Agriculture Show will be hosting the OSU Small Farms School.
Repairing and upgrading equipment and infrastructure like fencing, hoop houses, barns, and machinery during the quieter months helps ensure that everything is ready to go for when the workload increases during the growing seasons. More specifically, this may be the time to inspect and maintain irrigation systems, which is vital here in Central Oregon. This is especially important after a deep freeze!
And lastly… some business owners use this time to take a BREAK! You may be receiving automated-response emails from some farms as they spend time with their families, traveling, or just taking time away from their computers.
The late winter and early spring may not seem like a busy time for farmers from the outside perspective, but it is an important period of preparation and is the start of some regular business activities for the 2024 growing season. As the region begins to look into spring and summer, the efforts of farmers and ranchers set the stage for a successful and sustainable agricultural year in Central Oregon.
