Ready to truly enjoy your acreage?
Owning land is fun. Figuring out how to maintain it? Not so much. Unless you planned on becoming a first-time acreage owner, few people take the time to learn about rural land maintenance. When they do, it’s often too late.
Don’t worry! HG Farms Equipment has your rural property maintenance questions covered.
In this blog post you’ll learn:
- How to know what your acreage needs
- Everything you need from your equipment dealership
- Seasonal maintenance projects you shouldn’t neglect
- Why working with your local agricultural equipment dealership is key
- Mistakes first-time acreage owners often make
Ready to maintain that acreage like a pro?
Let’s dive in.
How To Know What Your Acreage Needs
Rule #1. All property is different.
Maintaining 5 acres of hobby farm is drastically different than caring for a 20-acre spread with cattle, pasture land, and outbuildings. Understanding exactly what your land requires in terms of maintenance is the first step to success. New owners should work with a reputable agricultural equipment dealership to simplify the process.
The latest USDA Census of Agriculture reports there are now over 1 million beginning farmers in the United States alone. That’s 11% more than in 2017! A lot of these producers are first-time land owners trying their hand at rural property maintenance for the first time.
And…
Beginning farmers have an average age of 47 years old. They’re not recent high school graduates looking for a summer job. Most are established adults looking to expand their lifestyle or start a new career. While many have the funds to invest in their operation and purchase land, they often know little about the daily upkeep required.
That’s why connecting with trusted Case IH and Kubota equipment in Mount Vernon equips new acreage owners with the guidance and know-how they need to maintain their property.
Knowledge is power! Taking time to evaluate will set you up for success down the road.
Everything You Need From Your Equipment Dealership
This is where things get tricky for most first-time owners.
Walking into any agricultural equipment dealership thinking you know it all is almost like walking into a hardware store blindfolded. You’ll leave having spent way too much money… or walk out without a single item.
Both are expensive mistakes.
Here’s a quick list of basic things all acreage owners need from their local equipment dealership.
- Compact or utility tractor: The backbone of any acreage. Something in the 25-45 horsepower range is sufficient for properties between 5 and 10 acres.
- Mower or finish cutter: Cutting your lawn or trimming fence rows keeps acreage from becoming an overgrown wildfire waiting to happen.
- Front-end loader: Moving mulch, gravel, dirt, debris or anything else around the property is made easy with a front-end loader.
- Box blade or grading tool: Nobody likes pot holes in their driveway. Preserve your driveway and manage drainage issues with a box blade or grader attachment.
- And more…
Luckily, HG Farms Equipment has experienced team members willing to walk customers through all available options step by step. The dealership has served Mount Vernon since 1974, giving them plenty of expertise to share.
Seasonal Maintenance Projects You Shouldn’t Neglect
Land maintenance isn’t a “one and done” kind of deal. Acquiring an acreage is a continual learning process with projects spanning all four seasons.
Spring:
Inspecting the property for winter damage, checking fence lines, and clearing winter debris are great ways to start. Erosion control is another big task during these months.
Summer:
Mowing often, controlling vegetation, and tending to pasture keep properties looking sharp and drive away pests. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for areas of property that have become overgrown. Proper brush control does more than just look nice. It prevents fires and keeps rodents and insects at bay.
Fall:
Winterizing equipment, water systems, and outdoor sprinklers. Fall is also the best time to wrap up those bigger projects before the ground freezes. Don’t forget about your antifreeze levels either!
Winter:
Performing maintenance on equipment, planning for next years improvements, and managing snow removal. Winter months are the perfect time to service equipment, sharpen blades, and order parts before the busy season begins.
Learn from the pros and create a maintenance calendar that works for you. By planning ahead you’ll never have to deal with emergency maintenance again.
Why Working With Your Local Equipment Dealership Is Important
Here’s something worth noting…
Without a strong relationship with a local agricultural equipment dealership, the first-time land owner experience will suffer.
The customer experience received at a local equipment dealership is what shapes opinions on the entire brand. Dealerships who care about their customers provide exceptional service, have parts available when needed, and offer knowledgeable staff that understand the area’s unique needs.
Here are a few things all dealers should offer:
- Knowledgeable staff members who understand acreage maintenance
- Full service repair and maintenance facilities
- Parts inventory available for same day service
- Realistic financing options for new property owners
- Training on how to properly use and maintain equipment
HG Farms Equipment is passionate about connecting with beginning farmers and providing them everything they need to maintain their acreage.
Mistakes First-Time Acreage Owners Often Make
Don’t be fooled…
The majority of first-time landowners end up making the same mistakes. By learning from others, you save yourself time and money.
Mistake #1: Purchasing equipment that’s too small
That four-foot-wide riding mower you’ve been using to cut your suburban lawn won’t cut it when you start maintaining acreage. Don’t undersell yourself. Match your tractor to your workload and you’ll thank yourself later.
Mistake #2: Neglecting equipment maintenance
If you purchase equipment and leave it idle in the garage all year without proper maintenance, it will fall apart. Changing oil, replacing filters and preparing your equipment for each season prolongs the life of your tractor and implements.
Mistake #3: Failing to plan for each season
Your mower keeps your grass cut during the warmer months. But what about snow? Brush cutting? You’ll need equipment and attachments that can handle each season’s projects.
Mistake #4: Failure to educate yourself
Operating tractors, mowers, and various attachments safely requires education. From equipment demonstrations at dealerships to online training provided by manufacturers there are plenty of ways new acreage owners can learn.
Mistake #5: Underestimating how much time it takes
Land maintenance isn’t a walk in the park. It takes time and patience. When first getting started it’s important to learn as much as you can about your property and develop realistic timelines to prevent burn out.
HG Farms Maintenance Checklist
Don’t stress yourself out trying to figure everything out on your own.
Create a comprehensive maintenance checklist that includes property inspections, equipment preparation, and seasonal projects.
Wrapping Things Up
As always, beginners should take things slow.
Don’t feel like you have to purchase the biggest tractor or every mower attachment available. Learn your land, build a relationship with your local equipment dealership, and tackle problems as they come.
Every year thousands of new acreage owners prove that mastering rural property maintenance is possible. You can be next!
So, what are you waiting for?
Check out the HG Farms Equipment machine lineup and start preparing for that busy season today.
Remember…
Start simple. Learn about your land. Build your machine lineup from there.