Augers, grain bins and tractors are tools of the farming trade. Unfortunately, they also are common items that get struck by lightning, posing a huge risk to farmers.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, farmers are among those most likely to get struck by lightning while working outdoors. And with thunderstorm season upon us, it is important that farmers take the threat of lightning seriously.
Lightning is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in America. The greatest number of lightning strikes occur in July, with June and August coming in second and third. A majority of lightning fatalities occur between noon and 6 p.m.
In the past 40 years, nearly 400 people a year have been hit by lightning. Of that number about 80 have died. Many others have been left with severe neurological problems.
Experts tell farmers (and everyone else) to go indoors as soon as they hear thunder. If you are able to hear thunder, a storm is within 10 miles. It is important that you avoid all contact with electrical equipment and plumbing, as well. Once the storm has passed you should wait 30 minutes before the last thunder clap before going back outside.
Unfortunately, many farmers do get caught outside during lightning and are unable to make it to safety. If this happens, the National Weather Service advises that these individuals make themselves as small as they are able and have as little contact with the ground as is possible. Squat down on the balls of your feet, tuck your head down and don’t touch the ground with your hands. Right before lightning strikes, people report feeling the hair on their beck stand up.
Many people are surprised to learn that the most common cause of lightning deaths occur as a result of cardiac arrest. This means that knowing CPR can save lives. Contrary to popular believe, it is not dangerous to touch an individual who has been struck by lightning.
And farmers aren’t the only ones at risk, farm animals also are at risk from lightning strikes. Just last month, 32 cows were killed in Missouri by lightning. The veterinarian who examined those cows said that was the most he had ever seen killed by a single lightning strike. Previously, the most he had seen killed was six.
The 32 cows killed were likely huddling together to get out of the rain when the lightning struck. Their owner, Jared Blackwelder of Texas County, said while the cows were not pets he raised every one of them. As a dairy farmer, he interacted with them twice a day and was greatly affected by their deaths.
Challenges Facing Young Farmers
Farmers List, MarketingIf you are marketing to young farmers, it is important that you understand their struggles and concerns. After all, you can’t provide the solutions young farmers are looking for if you don’t know what solutions they need.
So what do young farmers view as their biggest challenges? Read on to learn what these farmers list as obstacles to their success.
Five Ways to Get Creative with Your Food Marketing
Social MediaEveryone loves to eat and everyone loves food. What does that mean for farmers and agricultural-based businesses? It means that they need to get creative with their marketing techniques.
While everyone can tell you the food they grow or sell is healthy, delicious and a great value, today it’s all about how you say these things. Want to get heard in the crowded food-based marketplace? Here are some fun and different ways farmers, grocers, restaurants and any other foodies can get noticed (heck, you might even become a viral sensation).
When you are selling food you are selling a feeling or idea, as well. Make sure your food product doesn’t get passed over by a particular market segment because it wasn’t marketed to attract those unique consumers!
Protecting Yourself from Lightning on the Farm
Farm AnimalsAugers, grain bins and tractors are tools of the farming trade. Unfortunately, they also are common items that get struck by lightning, posing a huge risk to farmers.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, farmers are among those most likely to get struck by lightning while working outdoors. And with thunderstorm season upon us, it is important that farmers take the threat of lightning seriously.
Lightning is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in America. The greatest number of lightning strikes occur in July, with June and August coming in second and third. A majority of lightning fatalities occur between noon and 6 p.m.
In the past 40 years, nearly 400 people a year have been hit by lightning. Of that number about 80 have died. Many others have been left with severe neurological problems.
Experts tell farmers (and everyone else) to go indoors as soon as they hear thunder. If you are able to hear thunder, a storm is within 10 miles. It is important that you avoid all contact with electrical equipment and plumbing, as well. Once the storm has passed you should wait 30 minutes before the last thunder clap before going back outside.
Unfortunately, many farmers do get caught outside during lightning and are unable to make it to safety. If this happens, the National Weather Service advises that these individuals make themselves as small as they are able and have as little contact with the ground as is possible. Squat down on the balls of your feet, tuck your head down and don’t touch the ground with your hands. Right before lightning strikes, people report feeling the hair on their beck stand up.
Many people are surprised to learn that the most common cause of lightning deaths occur as a result of cardiac arrest. This means that knowing CPR can save lives. Contrary to popular believe, it is not dangerous to touch an individual who has been struck by lightning.
And farmers aren’t the only ones at risk, farm animals also are at risk from lightning strikes. Just last month, 32 cows were killed in Missouri by lightning. The veterinarian who examined those cows said that was the most he had ever seen killed by a single lightning strike. Previously, the most he had seen killed was six.
The 32 cows killed were likely huddling together to get out of the rain when the lightning struck. Their owner, Jared Blackwelder of Texas County, said while the cows were not pets he raised every one of them. As a dairy farmer, he interacted with them twice a day and was greatly affected by their deaths.
Three Hot Farming Trends
Farmer Life, Farmers ListFarming is a business and like all good business owners, farmers understand the importance of keeping their eye on industry trends. By doing so, farmers are able to predict what consumers are looking for in the short term and provide those products and services.
Today, farmers list the following trends that are hot right now:
Trend #1: Consumers are ready (and more than willing) to pay for the high quality foodstuffs.
Last year, the average retail price for things like beef, cheese, eggs, fruit and milk fell but many consumers were still willing to pay higher prices by skipping the grocery store and doing business directly with farmers. Even farmers who have contracts with supermarkets understand the lucrative nature of direct sales opportunities and take advantage of things like farmers’ markets and roadside stands.
Trend #2: An increase in farm-to table-opportunities.
Today’s families are busier than ever and need fast food options to accommodate their hectic lifestyles. And while fast food is unlikely to go away, consumers are seeking out healthier fast options. That means they are looking for fresh salads and sandwiches that they can grab on the go but that still contain healthy ingredients. When farmers partner with restaurants that provide this type of food they make a healthy profit.
Savvy farmers also are working with food delivery services that allow consumers to cook from-scratch meals while avoiding the hassle of shopping, chopping, washing and measuring fresh ingredients. These types of food delivery services allow families to cook and enjoy healthy, fresh meals without ever having to worry about menu planning.
Trend #3: A rise in the demand for organic options.
Consumers want food that does more than just meet their nutritional needs. They want to purchase food that is good for them and the environment and the community and the world at-large. When food is labeled as helping the environment and small producers, for example, consumers take note. Coffee made from sustainably produced beans and locally grown produce are examples of what consumers are looking for. And these consumers are willing to pay for those labels. Certified organic farms are the fastest growing segment of food industry. Currently, there are more than 21,000 certified organic farms in the United States and that number is expected to continue to rise.
Farmers know that catering to their customers is the key to staying viable at a time when falling food prices seem to be the norm. By doing so these farmers are able to thrive in tight economic times.
Reducing Ticks on the Farm
Farmer Life, Farmers and RanchersTicks are nothing to be trifled with. Lyme disease, the newly identified Powassan virus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and many other diseases are transmitted by this pesky arachnid.
Farmers, ranchers and others who work in the agricultural industry must be especially vigilant when it comes to protecting themselves against ticks. Many people believe that ticks fall out of trees and land on people’s heads. The truth is, ticks live in grasses and low shrubs. When a person walks through grass or shrubs a tick will jump out and land on an individual and make its way up the person’s body.
If you are working outside, bug or mosquito spray is not going to do the trick. Instead, you need to wear a repellent specifically designed for ticks. It also is important to remember that tick repellent is meant to be applied to clothing, not to the skin.
The appropriate clothing also is a powerful weapon in the fight against ticks. Be sure to wear long pants, sock and boots when working in grass or shrubs. For added protection, make sure to tuck your pants into your socks. Finally, remember that ticks cannot transmit disease unless they are attached to a person and feeding off that person so always do a body-check after coming in from the outside.
When it comes to breeding grounds for ticks, nothing compares to farms. Cattle, dogs, sheep and farmers themselves all provide the blood ticks live off of. Ticks have relatively few enemies in the animal kingdom so farmers must take matters into their own hands if they wish to reduce the population of ticks.
What follows are some steps to take to manage the tick population on your farm:
Three Ways to Strengthen Customer Relationships When You’re Pressed for Time
Farmer and Rancher Marketing, MarketingIf there is one thing farmers value above all else, it is the knowledge that the people they do business with are trustworthy and understand the challenges they face. If a farmer believes that he or she is not valued and appreciated by a business, chances are great that they will find another business that will.
Savvy Ag business owners understand the importance of connecting with their clients and do all they can to keep lines of communication open. Unfortunately, this can be difficult with so many demands on their time, including marketing their business so they can secure new customers.
So what’s a business to do? If you want to sustain and grow your client relationships but feel as if there is never enough time to do it all, we have some suggestions that may help to make things a little easier on you. In other words, some steps you can take to strengthen your client relationships while acknowledging the ever-increasing demands on your time.
All customers, especially farmers, need to know that they are a priority. Making sure they do will allow you to do the best job possible without wasting time.