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.
How to Effectively Market to Specialized Farmers
Farmer and Rancher MarketingIn today’s agricultural environment it is becoming more and more difficult to find a farm that is not specialized. Therefore, if you are an Ag-marketer it is important to understand how to approach specialized farmers.
American agriculture and rural life has seen a significant transformation in the past 100. In the early 1900s agriculture was labor intensive and there were a large number of small, diversified farms in rural areas. These farms employed close to half of the U.S. workforce and produced an average of five different commodities. Times have changed, however, and today, there is a small number of large, specialized farms in rural areas where less than a fourth of the U.S. population lives.
Many modern farmers are drawn to the idea of specialized farming for a variety of reasons. Specialized farms are more efficient because unlike a diversified operation there is a focus on a single product so no time is lost while workers switch from one process to another. There is less overhead since fewer products mean fewer supplies and less equipment. There also is less waste. Farmers also are able to obtain an in-depth knowledge of a particular product which allows them to become a specialist in that product. Finally, the operation’s financial records can be more easily maintained.
Of course, there are drawbacks to specialized farming as well. When a farmer only has one product to sell they have nothing to fall back on if market conditions are unfavorable. If a farm specializes in a particular crop there also is a danger of nutrients in the soil being depleted. These nutrients will then need to be reintroduced through chemicals or crops that aren’t part of the farm’s normal operation. Another significant risk of specialized farming is that a single infection or parasite could wipe out the entire operation. Many times specialized farming operations are subject to an irregular income stream, as well, since the farm’s particular crop or product may only be in demand during certain times of the year.
If you are an Ag-marketer, specialized farming requires a unique approach. Unlike diversified farms which consist of a large number of crop or non-crop enterprises, specialized farms makes it easier for you to define your customer’s particular problems and offers solutions to those problems.
When developing a marketing strategy for specialized farms, segmentation is essential. It is essential that identify a prospect’s demographics, geographical location, revenue and product. Since specialized farms are so narrowly focused it is also crucial that you understand what makes them different and capitalize on those differences.
Five Ways to Make Mobile Videos Speak to Farmers and Ranchers
Farmer and Rancher Marketing, Farmers and RanchersUsing video to market to farmers and ranchers? Chances are that a majority of those farmers and ranchers will be viewing these videos on their mobile device.
If your marketing videos don’t translate well to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, you are going to have a tough time going up against your competitors. This is especially true when you are marketing to farmers and ranchers who have little time to waste trying to get a video to work on their mobile device.
The best practices for mobile video continue to evolve at a staggering rate. Here are some things to keep in mind right now when it comes to getting farmers and ranchers to view your videos on their mobile devices.
Finally, according to Google, 61 percent of mobile users say they won’t return to a mobile site they had trouble accessing and 40 percent say they would visit a competitor’s site instead. That’s why your videos must be specifically designed to look great on mobile devices
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.