Fields rest. Winter slows growth in temperate regions, and farmers use the season for planning, maintenance, and preparation. Some crops like winter wheat and cover crops keep growing slowly. Others wait for spring.

The work does not stop. Equipment gets repaired. Fences get mended. Seed and fertilizer orders are placed. Livestock need extra feed and shelter as temperatures drop and forage becomes scarce.

Typical winter tasks

• Repairing machinery and buildings
• Planning crop rotations and budgets
• Feeding and housing livestock
• Attending conferences and training
• Ordering seed and inputs

Frost changes soil. Freezing and thawing can break up compacted layers, improving structure without tillage. Snow cover insulates soil and protects winter crops from extreme cold. Farmers watch the forecast as closely in winter as they do in summer.