Farmland Management

Land management allows the farm owner to achieve maximum productivity while having the smallest impact on the environment and natural resources.  It increases profits while at the same time lowering costs.  Understanding a few basic principals will allow the farm owner to experience a number of benefits.

Soil management for the small farm will lead to increased productivity, whether one is raising livestock or raising crops. The soil is the soul of a farm, and proper management will decrease costs and labor while increasing profit. Proper soil management will maximaze forage or crop production while containing costs assoctiated with irrigation, fertilization and seeding.

Pasture management will maximize the production of forage and hay on any property. This, in turn, will reduce overall costs to the producer. Good pasture management will result in healthier livestock, reduced costs and increased property values. It has been said that a livestock producer is really nothing more than a grass farmer, meaning that if one maximizes forage production first, improved animal production will follow naturally. Good pasture management simply makes good sense.

Grazing management will help to increase productivity, lower costs and contribute to the health and value of the land. Over grazed land will produce less forage and contribute to poor health in livestock. Establishing an effective grazing management plan will benefit the producer, the animals and the environment. The small acreage land owner should strongly consider an intensive grazing, pasture rotation program in order to maximize forage production.

Irrigation management will help to increase productivity, lower costs and contribute to the health and value of the land. The lack of an irrigation management program will lead to increased costs and a degraded environment. Proper irrigation will maximize forage production while conserving water and reducing labor.

Farm fencing on the small farm will be based on the purpose that the fence will serve. Fences should be considered as a permanent structure, and as such will require proper planning. Fences are an integral part of any farm management plan, whether used to contain livestock, deter predators, or to define property boundaries. Good fencing will lead to higher property values and a more efficient farm operation.

Wildlife management for the small farm increases the enjoyment of country living as well as raising property values. Ponds, streams, trees, shrubs and pasture can all play a role in establishing an environment conducive to wildlife. A well managed small farm integrates itself into the environment in a pleasing synthesis of human, animal and nature.