How do you keep your farm safe during the safety season?
- Shield your farm equipment from water
- Be careful when using farm equipment
- Be wary of electrocution
- Protect crops from heavy rains
- Store farm produce in dry places
- Keep open water away from people and animals
- Don’t forget your health and well-being
Farming is already a difficult task, but it can be even tougher during the rainy season. After a heavy downpour, you’re left with slippery paths and flooded areas. The water can even pose a risk to your crops and farm equipment. In the Philippines, the rainy season happens from June to November. During these months, you have to be proactive when it comes to the safety of your farm. Below are some tips on how to keep your farm safe during the rainy season. Keep on reading!
Shield Your Farm Equipment From Water
Tractors, planting machines, harvesting machines, and other agricultural equipment are tough and durable, but during the rainy season, you should take care to protect these machines from heavy rain. Although most farm equipment is made to withstand all types of weather, protecting them can help lengthen their lifespan.
Farming equipment that is made from iron is prone to rust when continuously exposed to water. Make sure that all exposed wires are covered, and faulty electrical components should be fixed and kept away from moisture. Damage might not show immediately, so it’s better to be safe by storing your farm equipment in a dry place instead of leaving them out overnight.
Be Careful When Using Farm Equipment
Due to the wet conditions during the rainy season, there can be some risks when using farm equipment. For instance, driving a tractor over very wet and muddy ground can cause it to become stuck. Other than that, bad weather can make it harder to see the field, so it can become the cause of accidents.
Driving too close to a ditch or pond can also be dangerous, as this can lead to the farm equipment rolling into the area when you get too close to the edge. Stay alert for holes or hidden ditches under flood water too.
Other than that, cut your speed to the minimum when driving with a tractor during rainy weather. Drive slowly when you can’t see the ground surface, for instance, when driving above long grass. If there’s a thunderstorm, it’s better to delay work for another day.
Be Wary Of Electrocution
During the rainy season, there’s a risk that water and electricity can cause electric accidents. If you have put up wired fences, make sure to put notices, so people can take precautions. Keep animals away from these fences.
Aside from that, be wary of trees that are placed near electric lines, as these can become conductors of electricity.
Protect Crops From Heavy Rains
Heavy rainfall can damage the soil on your farm. If neglected, this can cause the soil aggregates to break up or clog soil pores. If you want to decrease the damage to the soil, there are some things you can do to protect it. For instance, organic mulch, cover crops, and canopy can slow down rain drops.
The rain can also drain away the nitrogen that you put out to fertilize your crops. In this case, you can choose to dress the crops with nitrogen fertilizers when the soil dries out.
Wet conditions can also encourage diseases in your fields. Look out for flare-ups of diseases in crops. Root rots can also become a problem if the fields stay wet for prolonged periods.
Store Farm Produce In Dry Places
As producers of fruits and vegetables, it’s one of your job to maintain the quality of the crops from the field to the shelf.
Crops that are ready for harvest should be kept away from the rain because leaving them in wet soil can result in negative effects, such as microbial growth. After harvest, store fruits and vegetables in a cool and dry place.
Keep Open Water Away From People And Animals
Dams, wells, lakes, and other open water sources can be difficult to spot during heavy rain, so make sure that these areas are fenced and properly protected during the rainy season.
People, animals, and operated equipment can easily fall in these places during the rainy season. In these wet environments, mud and soft soils can easily cause slipping and falling over.
Don’t Forget Your Health And Well-Being
Aside from your equipment, crops, and your farm, don’t forget to prioritize your health and well-being too during the rainy season. The wet and cold environment during this season can increase your risk of getting sick. That’s why it’s beneficial to take extra safety precautions when farming.
For instance, make sure that you dress properly for the weather. Try to stay dry by wearing the right rain gear. Don’t forget to protect your feet by wearing the proper footwear because rainwater can expose you to bacteria and also cause slipping.
Key Takeaway
By knowing how to keep your farm safe during the rainy season, you can prevent accidents, maintain your farm equipment, and keep your crops in the best conditions! Farming during the wet season can be more challenging, but with these tips, you can prioritize safety so everything follows.
If you’re interested in purchasing agricultural equipment such as tractors, planting machines, and harvesting machines, you can contact us here at Ford Tractor!
