MARYLAND - Farmers across Delmarva are in full preparation mode for the anticipated freeze tonight, ensuring their agricultural systems are winterized, livestock is kept warm, and crops are protected.
Dorchester County grain and poultry farmer Wendell Meekins and other farmers are in the midst of preparing for the expected drop in temperatures. They're employing various methods to winterize their equipment, like applying RV antifreeze to irrigation systems and machinery vulnerable to freezing, preventing any potential damages and bursts due to the cold.
Meekins explained the vulnerabilities of his fertilizer spreader to freezing temperatures,
“It’s done with mostly water, and mostly everything on this is plastic, so all the nozzles are plastic, and their very susceptible to freezing, so any of that that freezes it will just bust and cost us even more money to fix," said Meekins.
But Meekins also explained how the changing weather can sometimes create better conditions for certain farm tasks, offering optimal temperatures for specific activities such as soybean harvesting.
“A southwest wind and 80 degree temperatures is very very detrimental to cutting soy beans, they just don’t like to go through the machine. But a northwest wind, 30-40 degrees is just perfect, just what we’re looking for.”
Kelly Jackson at Emily's Produce echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing the persistent nature of farm work throughout the year. With necessary actions like clearing irrigation pipes, tending to animals, and shifting business operations online, ordering new seeds, and attending conferences, she says the winter is a period of intense preparation for the upcoming season,
“Generally people expect farmers to be down, relaxing and resting in the winter, but mostly any farmer is not doing that, their preparing for the next season, generally farmers are just as busy doing different kids of work in the winter.” said Jackson.
As winter begins to set in across Delmarva, farmers recommend protective measures for smaller crops, like mums, vegetable's, and other produce -- suggesting covering or moving plants indoors and checking farm equipment for proper antifreeze levels.
