Recounting winter days on the farm conjures up recollections of freezing fingers and toes, and sparkling trees and white rolling hills.

After the recent snow storms, I realized that I don’t miss the hours each day in the cold barn, thawing pipes, cracking ice out of water buckets and lugging water to the young stock on our dairy farm. For many farmers, these chores are part of the daily routine this time of year.

I recall that getting dairy cattle moving, scrapping manure daily and making sure animals can get fresh water seemed to take twice as long when the thermometer registered below 15 degrees. Trudging through the snow while wearing several layers of clothing is not a pleasant memory, though I realize for many farmers out there, it is the daily norm.

Besides dealing with the cold weather, farmers use this time of year to “go to school.” Many opportunies are available from extension educators, supply representatives and service providers. The local producers have to pick and choose what seminar or class to take, because there are so many from which to choose. They could be going to some type of educational event every week. Farm organizations also schedule meetings during what to an outsider appears as “down” time for the farmer, but for most producers they are as busy in the winter as any other time of year.

The crop farmer takes advantage of equipment not being used daily to perform annual maintenance and extensive repairs. This ensures that in the spring when planting begins the equipment is in top condition. If repairs require more skill than the farmer has, he can arrange for the repairs or overhauls to be done in a dealer’s service center so the equipment is back when it will be needed in the spring.

Now is also the time when farmers can update their chemical applicator’s license. Licensed applicators must earns credits each year to maintain their license. The extension service, the department of agricuture and the chemical companies coordinate educational programming to provide the education necessary to earn credits.

Though farm accounting is an ongoing process, this time of year lends itself to evaluating those records and preparing for tax filing, as well as some long-term planning for the future.

The extension service and several service providers have computer programs to assist farmers as they make plans for the new year. With tight profit margins, farmers can use the information gained from using these programs to make management and purchasing decisions that will benefit their farm operations.

Several land-grant universities have also developed programs to help dairy producers improve their efficiency to increase their profit margin. Some assist them in evaluating their operations using figures from their own farms. These systems help farmers make small changes that can reap impressive results in the future of their farms.

Some families actually have time to enjoy the sparkling trees and white rolling hills on their farms – and an opportunity to experience freezing fingers and toes. Watch for the snowmobile and sledding tracks on those hillsides and designs on the farm ponds from recent iceskaters.

Carol Ann Gregg is a staff writer for Allied News.