In November, UK farmers will be focusing on winter preparation and maintenance, including finishing harvests of root vegetables, bringing livestock indoors, preparing land for spring and general farm upkeep. 

Crop and land work

• Farmers begin ploughing fields for crops that will be sown in the spring. 
• Harvesting of winter vegetables like beetroot, turnips, parsnips, leeks and carrots continues, though most of the main harvest is completed in October. 
• Stored potatoes are sorted by size for transport to shops or kept for the farming family. 
• Some farmers may spread manure, adhering to regulations that prevent spreading on frozen ground. 
• Clearing and prepping fields for the next growing season is done.

Livestock management

• Animals are brought indoors for shelter from the colder weather. 
• Grazing animals' diets need to be supplemented with feeds like sugar beet and hay, especially when grass quality declines. 
• Calves are weaned onto a concentrate feed towards the end of the month. 
• Male calves are castrated. 
• Some animals are vaccinated and tracked, though this is more common in the spring. 

General maintenance

• Machinery upkeep: Ensuring all farm machinery is in working order is crucial for the year ahead. 
• General repairs: Farmers undertake repairs, painting and cleaning as part of their general farm upkeep. 
• Hedge cutting: This activity continues and must be completed by March to avoid disturbing nesting birds.

If there’s anything at all that you need, please don’t hesitate to contact us either by email or by phone and we will be pleased to help.