Selecting, Maintaining, and Managing Small- Scale Farm Equipment Developed By: Toby Green, Nutra-Vet Nutritionals, Kevin Laughlin, UI Extension, Tom Karsky, UI Extension, Scott Jensen, UI Extension & Jim Bjork, D & B Supply.

A 18 week program for people interested in becoming better stewards of the land in the Treasure Valley Living on the Land Module 1, Lesson 3

Before we get started…  Has everyone brought a list of existing farm equipment that you have to class?  Did you create a list of equipment that you believe you need to implement your small farm plan?  Have you created a list of addresses and phone numbers of small-scale farm rental equipment sites near your home or acreage?  Do you have a maintenance schedule or records for your equipment bring it or create a list of things you do annually to keep your equipment up?

We’ll be covering…  Equipment needs for living on small acreage properties.  Short-term and long-term equipment selection, maintenance and management goals for your property.  Why inventory your small-scale farm machinery.  Considering safety when operating your equipment, practical do’s and don’ts!  Practical maintenance skills and schedules for existing equipment.

Equipment needs for living on small acreage properties.  What type of farm power machinery do you have?  What farm implements do you have?  What is your transportation equipment: truck, pick-up, or trailer? Consider capacity and efficiency.  Have you considered leasing/renting some equipment?  What are the possibilities of contracting with custom operators in your area?

What Type of Equipment is Generally Needed for a 5 – 10 Acre Property?  Crops  Forage  Livestock  Landscape  Greenhouse or Nursery  Wildlife  Stewardship

Short-term and Long-term Equipment Selection, Maintenance, and Management Goals for Your Property.  Develop a list of possible enterprises.  Determine which enterprises are compatible with your resources.  Growing considerations.  Climate  Rotation (animal or crop)  Irrigation  Pollination  Pest Management  Labor Requirements  Harvesting  Marketing

Short-term and Long-term Equipment Selection, Maintenance, and Management Goals for Your Property.  Analyze compatibility among enterprises.  Possible enterprises for small farms.  Stewardship of the land vs. income.  List equipment needed for enterprises or stewardship goals identified.  Prioritize list and gather information on maintenance and selection options.

Why inventory your small-scale farm equipment & machinery?  Check for condition and handy for getting parts when you have make, model number, and year in an organized location. Once it is done you don’t have to do it again or look for equipment records.  Taxes  If you choose to sell the equipment and can produce a inventory and maintenance record you may command a higher price.  See buying tips for used equipment

How do you best maintain small farm machinery and equipment?  Crops  Forage  Livestock  Landscape  Greenhouse or Nursery  Wildlife  Stewardship

SSSR - Practical maintenance skills and schedules for existing equipment.  Season - By season of the year tell what needs to be done for each piece of equipment.  Steps - List the maintenance steps you do so that you remember from year to year or if you need to hire some one they can do it.  Safety – List the safety issues surrounding maintaining each piece of equipment  Record – In a book, electronic devise, or record write down what you did and when you did it!

How do you best maintain small farm machinery and equipment?  Maintenance schedules (See hand out).  When to replace consumable parts!  Practical times of year and approaches that work.  Best ideas that work.  Absolute practical basics and skills.

Considering SAFETY when operating your equipment, practical do’s and don’ts!  Crops  Forage  Livestock  Landscape  Greenhouse or Nursery  Wildlife  Stewardship

Considering SAFETY when operating your equipment, practical do’s and don’ts!  Slow Moving Vehicles  Power Take-Off Safety  Child safety and equipment use  Electrical, fluid and mechanical dangers involved with small scale agriculture.

Safety considerations for small-scale operators!  Check King Cutter Web site for Safety information.  Owners manual for the piece of equipment you are looking concerned about and the safety considerations are in a section of the owners manual.  See “Review Those Owners Manuals”.

Sources of farm equipment, to buy, lease, or rent  Crops  Forage  Livestock  Landscape  Greenhouse or Nursery  Wildlife  Stewardship

Sources of farm equipment, to buy, lease, or rent in the Treasure Valley:  Small tractor implement parts are made by the following manufacturers:  King Cutter (D & B Supply)  Specialty Products (D & B Supply)  John Deere  Case/International

Sources of farm equipment, to buy, lease, or rent in the Treasure Valley:  Small tractor implement parts are made by the following manufacturers:  John Deere  Case/International  Schlofman Tractor & Equipment, Boise  Campbell Tractor, Nampa & Caldwell

Managing equipment, family, property and personal needs!  Create a chart on maintenance and service.  Keep equipment in proper working order and know the safety concerns for each piece of equipment.  Be sure family members all know how to operate all pieces of equipment in a safe manner.

Review & Questions  What equipment do you need?  How do you fill out a maintenance schedule?  How often due you lube and oil equipment?  Where do you get equipment?

Selecting, Maintaining, and Managing Small- Scale Farm Machinery Summary  Equipment inventory  Equipment you need, limitations, & mitigation.  Enterprises & considerations  Selection and rental of equipment  Maintenance schedules,tips, and records.  Public, family, and personal safety.