In recent years, many areas across the country that have typically avoided severe winter weather have been hit with unprecedented amounts of cold and snow, leaving many wondering about adequate winter land management. 

With many parts of the country experiencing the cold realities of wintertime, landowners in these areas need to understand what’s necessary to protect themselves and their properties. Failing to prepare for an especially icy winter could create a lot of “catch-up” work for landowners come springtime.

Here are a few winter land management tips for landowners! 

Winterize Structures

Before major snowfall, it’s important to inspect and prepare any structures like barns, sheds, and fences for the winter weather. This is also the time to make any necessary winterizing preparations for things like ponds or other water sources! Be on the lookout for any necessary repairs, broken windows, or missing shingles, and consider insulating buildings to conserve heat.

Insulation is especially important for livestock that can’t withstand the cold on their own and will require shelter. This is also a good time to inspect and clean any gutters/downspouts to prevent ice dams from forming, which can result in costly water damage. It’s best to find and address these repairs before the weather turns too cold since it will save the landowner from needing to do these things out in freezing temperatures.

Protect Livestock and Wildlife

For landowners with animals or livestock on their property, there are a few things to keep in mind to keep them and your farm protected throughout the winter. 

It’s important to secure a freshwater source for livestock over the winter, as most natural water sources will freeze in cold weather. So be sure to have a plan to supply livestock with sufficient daily water. It’s also good practice to keep an ax or other tool handy to break up ice in water sources for livestock or to use a de-icer on water troughs daily or hourly depending on temperatures. 

Livestock and wildlife also need more to eat each day in the wintertime since they expend more energy trying to stay warm. Take a trip to the feed store to ensure that you’ll have a generous amount of hay/feed for livestock as well as bedding. If your property is home to deer or other game, consider setting out supplemental feed to provide additional nutrition for their diet to help them through the winter and better prepare them for the spring! 

Shelter is the final thing to think about when preparing livestock for winter. Some animals like cattle and horses will be fine outside for most of the winter but will need to be brought into a shelter or windbreak when the extreme cold sets in. Inspect shelters for any cracks or leaks that could let water or cold air into the shelter. Ensure that any heaters are in good working order and that the shelter can heat up to an acceptable temperature to keep livestock warm in freezing temperatures.

Snow Removal Planning

Creating a plan for snow removal is crucial to ensuring that you and your family aren’t left stuck or stranded in the event of a massive snowfall. It’s also important for preventing injuries, as a slip and fall on the snow or ice is a quick way to wind up in the emergency room. 

For landowners living in areas that don’t typically receive much snow, investing in a decent snow shovel will likely be enough to manage snow removal. Landowners living in areas with high snowfalls should look to purchase a quality mid-size snowblower to ensure that they can move multiple feet of snow at a time. It may seem like overkill to purchase a larger snowblower, but it’s always better to have the capability to handle massive snowfalls and not need it than to be buried under multiple feet of snow that a little snowblower can’t handle.

Clearing large areas like parking lots or long driveways is best done with a snow plow, which can be mounted to the fronts of trucks, ATVs, UTVs, and more. These are typically more expensive than a snow blower but will make quick work of large spaces with lots of snow.

Finally, consider investing in a small supply of salt/ice-remover or sand to address ice build-up. Having these things on hand will ensure that roads and trails can be made accessible and prevent vehicles from getting stuck or people from falling and getting injured.

Plan For a Winter Emergency

The worst thing a landowner can do in terms of winter land management is fail to make a plan for emergencies. Consider how to stay warm in the event of a power outage, for some purchasing a small generator may be sensible. It’s also a good idea to put together an emergency kit with warm clothes, flashlights, blankets, and battery-operated communication devices or a storm radio. Stocking up on non-perishable food is similarly important since a large winter storm could make traveling to the grocery store dangerous or impossible for multiple days.

All of that goes for animals and livestock as well. In the event that roads freeze over and become inaccessible, it’s important to make sure that you’ve got enough feed to sustain your animals for a few days or until it becomes safe to travel for food or other necessities. 

By setting aside time to think about how to handle the challenges of winter and taking proactive measures, landowners can ensure that themselves, their families, their animals, and their property are adequately prepared for anything the winter weather may throw at them. Successfully navigating a severe winter season or storm just requires a little bit of planning on the part of the landowner. Have you adequately prepared your property for the winter season? If you’ve got additional questions about winter land management, get in touch with your local Land Professional today!