What are the challenges of managing a farm?

Farmers have to work long hours and be on-site for most of the day. They are required to do things such as planting, seeding, harvesting, and weeding in order to make sure that their crops grow well.

There is very little time off for these farmers because they need to constantly monitor their crops with a watchful eye in order to prevent any problems. This can be very tiring and stressful, but it is all part of the job.

Dairy farmers are often required in the milking shed each day or for most shifts of milking each week. On dairy farms where calving happens all year or over split spring and autumn calvings, means the dairy parlour operates 365 days a year.

Finding strategies for dealing with the work burden is important for maintaining a proper work-life balance. This can be difficult to do when you are always on the go, but finding time for yourself and your family is important.

2. Attention that animals are healthy and well-fed.

When time on the farm is already limited as discussed above, putting 100% attention to feeding and caring for animals is a must.

Farmers must pay close attention to the health and well-being of their livestock in order to ensure that they are producing the best possible products. If the animals are not well-fed or healthy, then they will not produce high-quality milk or meat.

Other than the loss of productivity, when livestock are underfed, they may lose body condition or have less than ideal conception rates. These are the types of things that falter in a stressed farm operation.

The same goes for unhealthy animals, whether it is keeping vaccinations up to date, drenching on time, or any other animal treatment. The important part is that the livestock are your livelihood, and the challenge is to maintain a healthy system.

Therefore, it is important for you to keep a close eye on your livestock and make sure that they are getting the proper nutrition and care.

3. Dealing with pests, diseases and weeds.

Farming is a complex and challenging occupation, requiring knowledge of all aspects of plant and animal husbandry.

This includes dealing with pests, diseases and weeds, which can quickly take over a farm if left unchecked.

Pests include insects, rodents and other animals that damage crops or spread disease.

Diseases can be caused by fungi, bacteria or viruses, and often affect plants in a specific area or region.

Weeds are plants that compete with crops for space, sunlight and water. They can also harbour pests and diseases, making them even more difficult to control. Dealing with these three problems is a constant challenge for farm management and one that can never be completely eliminated.

However, advances in technology and husbandry have made it possible to effectively manage these problems and produce healthy crops and animals.

4. Dealing with farm emergencies.

Farming is a risky business. One bad harvest or calamity that puts your livestock in danger can mean the difference between a profitable season and a loss. And while most farmers are used to dealing with the occasional emergency, such as a broken tractor or a disease outbreak, some events can be much more serious.

For example, in 2017, Hurricane Irma caused widespread damage to crops and infrastructure across Florida.

And in 2018, wildfires swept through California, destroying thousands of acres of farmland.

The 2019-2020 bushfire season caused havoc across Australia destroying farm buildings, and livestock and damaging thousands of hectares of farmland and native habitat.

As recent as 2022 we have seen green droughts across Australia and New Zealand, and at the same time devastating floods that have impacted and horrifyingly destroyed farm businesses.

These types of disasters can have a devastating impact on farmers and their families. In addition to the financial cost, there is also the emotional toll of losing one's livelihood.

That's why it's so important for farmers and managers to have a plan in place for dealing with emergencies. By being prepared and knowing what to do, they can minimize the damage and get their farms back up and running as quickly as possible.

5. Unpredictable weather conditions.

As a farm manager, not only do you have to contend with the day-to-day challenges of running a business, but you also have to deal with the ever-changing whims of Mother Nature.

One bad season can make or break a farm, and even the most experienced farmers can be caught off guard by an unseasonable cold snap or early frost.

In recent years, climate change has only made things more difficult, as extreme weather events have become more common and harder to predict. As a result, farmers must constantly adapt their strategies in order to minimize the impact of the weather on their crops.

It's a never-ending battle, but one that's essential for the survival of the farm and all are risks that your farm management needs to plan for.

Farmers are constantly challenged by pests, diseases, weeds, and unpredictable weather conditions. They must be prepared to deal with emergencies and have a plan in place for when disasters strike. In addition to these challenges, they must also adapt their strategies in order to minimize the impact of the weather on their crops.