A useful checklist starts with the things that could stop the farm operating, threaten animal welfare or leave somebody working in unsafe conditions. Write it down, give jobs an owner and make time to check what's actually been done.
Feed, forage and bedding: count what you've got
Walk the stores rather than relying on what you remember ordering. Check the quantity and condition of forage, concentrate feed and bedding against expected winter use. Allow for changes in livestock numbers, weather and the possibility of a longer housing period. Inspect for damp, spoilage, pests and damaged wrapping, and keep feed stored securely and appropriately.
If stocks look tight, investigate supply and delivery now. Buying in a panic during prolonged bad weather can leave you with limited choices and expensive transport. Discuss major diet changes with your vet or nutrition adviser; sudden changes can cause problems, and different classes of livestock have different needs.
Make water a priority
A frozen trough or failed pump can become an urgent welfare issue very quickly. Check exposed pipes, stopcocks, pumps, trough valves and any backup supply. Insulate where appropriate, test equipment before the cold arrives and make sure more than one person knows how to isolate a leak.
For remote fields, think about access after heavy rain or snow. The most convenient summer route may be impassable with a trailer in January. Keep a practical alternative in mind rather than relying on being able to drive everywhere.
Buildings and machinery deserve a walk-round
Inspect roofs, gutters, drainage, doors, gates and livestock housing before a storm exposes a weak point. Clear blocked channels and make sure ventilation isn't sacrificed in the effort to keep buildings warm. Check lighting in places where people work after dark, especially around loading areas and livestock handling facilities.
Service equipment that becomes essential in winter: generators, loaders, feeding machinery and vehicles. Check tyres, batteries, fuel storage and hydraulic hoses. A breakdown is frustrating in daylight; in freezing rain, with animals waiting to be fed, it can become much more serious. Only competent people should carry out repairs, particularly on electrical equipment and machinery.
Build a bad-weather plan people can actually use
Who feeds the livestock if the usual person is ill? Which supplier can deliver if your normal route is blocked? Where are emergency numbers, keys and isolation switches kept? A plan doesn't need to
Include personal safety. Working alone in severe weather or handling unpredictable livestock when tired creates risks. Agree check-in arrangements and make sure somebody knows where you're working. Don't let a full job list turn every evening into another late finish.
Leave room for the unexpected
Winter never follows the checklist perfectly. Prioritise what protects people, animals and the ability to keep working. A tidy yard and a tested backup plan may save more time than an ambitious improvement project that remains half finished until spring.
Know another farmer who always remembers the job everyone else forgets? Share this checklist with them, compare notes and help each other get ready before the weather turns.
