We still have cattle to manage and they are actually the most work during this time period. We have to make sure that they have enough to eat and they have the right mineral and protein supplements. Most cold mornings we spend some time breaking ice that has formed on the top of the stock tanks in order for cattle to have access to water. We also have to make sure that the electric fence is hot and the cattle are happily inside the fence.
There is a amazing amount of paper work that comes with being a farmer and winter time is when we get to do the most. We have to account for every acre we farm and ranch by reporting what we planted and where to the government throughout the year. After we've satisfied Uncle Sam we have to head over to our crop insurance agents and fill out basically the exact same thing for a second time. The cherry on the top of our paperwork sundae is figuring our yearly tax bill. Hooray for taxes!
Probably the best thing about the winter is going to farm conferences. This month I attended the Cover Your Acres Conference. Cover Your Acres is a Northwest Kansas farm conference that focuses on issues that are affecting our area. This is important to me because the type of farming we do in Western Kansas is a lot different than the type of farming they do in Iowa. Surprisingly, many of the big agricultural companies still haven't figured this out and they try to sell us things that just do not work here. I also attended the Farm Bureau: Young Farmer and Rancher Conference. This conference brings together young farmers and ranchers from across Kansas. The main focus of this conference is overall trends in farming and issues facing all Kansas farmers. It's also just a lot of fun to get to talk to other young farmers from across the state. I actually met a farmer that farms in Johnson County. It is pretty interesting to hear some of the issues they face on the other side of the state. At one point in time he actually said "We do that to burn moisture". This lead me to the conclusion that the grass really is greener on the other side (of Kansas).
-Winter Farmer Ryan
