If you own and operate a California farm, your crops are your livelihood. You spend part of the year planning for the coming planting season. From there, you put in all the hard work it takes to prepare the fields and get those crops planted. During the months that follow, you take care of the growing crops and nurture them to maturity. Along the way, giving them everything Mother Nature doesn’t quite provide in the right amounts weighs on your shoulders. Finally, harvest time rolls around, and you get to enjoy the literal fruits of your labor.
Of course, with the pending harvest being the ultimate goal of all your time and effort, being sure all your harvesting equipment is ready to go to work when the time comes is essential. Waiting until the last minute to perform equipment maintenance and secure all the necessary agriculture harvester products could ultimately end in disaster for your crops as well as your bottom line. Because of that, getting ready for the harvesting season could be considered a year-round job. No matter which stage of growth your crops are in at the moment, now is the time to get prepared for the harvest.
If you’re a seasoned farmer, you’re well aware of all the nuances that come about when it’s time to harvest your crops. On the other hand, if you’re new to the industry, you’ll soon learn about all the tiny details that need attention and all the things that could go wrong when you least expect it. In either case, the following tips can help you get ready for a successful harvest during which everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Above all else, it’s important to remember that clear and effective communication is the key to success. Let everyone involved in the harvesting process know what your plans are. Explain the order of events, who is in charge of what, and what’s expected over the course of each day. If, for some reason, any of your plans change, be sure to let everyone know why and how the schedule will be modified. Encourage your crew to ask questions if they’re not clear on any point. Of course, it’s equally essential to make sure everyone is listening to what you’re telling them. If not, all your communication efforts will be in vain.
Even a small breakdown in communication could lead to unnecessary, and potentially detrimental, delays. It could also cause a wide range of additional problems, such as devastating injuries, broken equipment, and even damage to your crops. Start each day of the harvest season with a group meeting to discuss yesterday’s progress, what needs to happen today, what to do if something goes wrong, and other important points. Doing so is bound to set you up for success.
On a small-scale farm that only supplies a single family with produce, harvesting everything by hand may be possible, especially if several family members are willing to get involved in the process. When it comes to larger operations, though, roaming the fields and picking all those fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, or other yields through manpower alone certainly isn’t feasible. Because of that, your harvesting equipment is essential.
Ideally, if something went wrong with any of your equipment near the end of the last harvest, you either fixed it on the spot or made a note of it so you could take care of it later. Take a moment to think back and remember if there were any repair or replacement needs that were put on the back burner at that time. If so, be sure to touch base with your local parts and Agriculture Harvester Product supplier and address them right now. Otherwise, they’ll still be waiting come this year’s harvest season.
Hopefully, you’ve become at least somewhat familiar with your harvesting equipment over time. If so, you’re probably aware of any repetitive problems those pieces of machinery might present you with. That means you may even have a list of parts you’re likely to need to remedy those issues during harvest season. It’s also a good idea to think about all the components without which you wouldn’t be able to complete the harvest.
From conveyor belt lacing to tine bearings, go ahead and order those critical parts now so you’ll have them on hand when the need arises. This will help keep your progress on track during the harvest. Some might say that ordering parts you’re not sure you’ll need is an unnecessary expense, but quite a few would argue that it’s always better to be safe than to be sorry.
Like many farmers in California, you may need to take your agricultural equipment out on the roadways to get from one field to another or to get from your barn to the fields. If so, it’s important to be fully prepared for driving that machinery on the road. This is especially true if you’re likely to encounter traffic. After all, drivers are incredibly impatient these days, and most of them don’t understand the complexities and limitations when moving farm equipment.
First and foremost, take the time to confirm that all your lights and flashers are working properly. Secure all attachments and other accessories before heading out. Make sure your orange safety triangles and other signage are in place and clearly visible. Be sure that anyone who will be driving your equipment on the road is licensed and experienced enough to do so. Also ensure they’re aware of all the rules and regulations that apply to farm equipment on the road in the state of California.
If you take the time to prepare in advance of the harvesting season, you’ll be able to minimize the impact of unexpected malfunctions and keep your crew on track throughout the entire process. Make communication a top priority, don’t let breakdowns catch you off guard, and make sure all your operators and equipment are roadworthy. All these tips will help ensure your harvest goes as safely and effectively as possible.
