Maintaining Productivity During the Winter Months

As autumn ends and the harvest wraps up, the focus for many farms shifts rather than slows. While the fields may fall silent, the workload continues - just in a different form. With cattle and livestock now housed, winter becomes a season of intensive care, planning and preparation, offering a crucial opportunity to reset priorities and build momentum for the year ahead.

At Farm & General, we understand that farming never truly stops. That’s why we encourage our farmers to make full use of the winter months on the farm to stay productive, protect their businesses and plan for future months. This includes everything from machinery servicing and record-keeping to reviewing insurance and putting succession plans in place.

Below, we look at the key tasks you should consider and how the right support, including the tailored farming insurance services offered Farm & General, can help strengthen your business all year round.

The Importance of Winter Planning

Winter is often used as a time to reflect on the last year and how changes can be made to succeed in the upcoming year. It’s a great time to look at unlocking new opportunities through diversification, reduce risks on the farm through improved safety and risk procedures and purchase new equipment and vehicles. 

The winter provides an opportunity to boost productivity through planning, preparing and protecting the farm ready for Spring, to make sure you’re not just ready you’re ahead.

Key Farm Tasks to Consider

1. Machinery and Equipment Maintenance
   Winter is the right time to service and repair machinery. Vehicles are less in demand, so it’s more practical to schedule inspections, replace worn parts or upgrade key tools. Keeping equipment in top condition reduces the risk of breakdowns during busy months and often leads to lower repair bills overall.
2. Farm Record-Keeping
   With the weather changing, winter is ideal for reviewing business records. This includes tracking income and expenses, analysing crop yields, reviewing input usage and preparing tax documents. Updated records are essential for making informed decisions and for accessing support schemes or grants.
3. Strategic Business Planning
   Whether you're looking to expand, diversify or just tighten operations, winter is a great time to set new business goals. You might want to look at new markets, sustainability measures, or digital tools to improve productivity. Having a clear plan going into spring makes execution far easier.
4. Reviewing Insurance Cover
   A lot can change in a year - new buildings, new machinery, changes in staffing or a shift in what you grow or rear. It’s important that your farm insurance reflects those changes. The winter is the perfect moment to review your existing policies, identify any gaps in cover and explore whether better terms are available.

Supporting British Farmers with Tailored Insurance

At Farm & General, we work with farms of all sizes and sectors to protect what matters most. We offer a wide range of specialist farm insurance policies designed around real farming needs.

Our core insurance services include:

• Farm combined insurance – A complete package covering property, contents, equipment, livestock, business interruption and liability.
• Agricultural vehicle insurance – Cover for tractors, ATVs, telehandlers and other essential vehicles.
• Livestock insurance – Protection against losses from illness, accident or theft.
• Environmental liability – Cover for pollution-related claims or clean-up costs.
• Employer’s and public liability insurance – Essential for farms with staff, visitors or contractors.
• Diversification cover – Insurance tailored to farm businesses expanding into tourism, retail or events.

Every farm is unique. That’s why our advisors work closely with you to build a policy that matches the scale and nature of your business - whether you're a smallholder or a large mixed enterprise.

Succession Planning: Start the Conversation This Winter

One of the most critical and most delayed areas of farm management is succession planning. Many farmers want to pass their business on but put off the conversation until it’s urgent. That can create stress, confusion and potential risk to the business.

Succession planning is not just about retirement. It’s about protecting the future of your farm, supporting the next generation and giving yourself peace of mind. Winter provides the time to think clearly, involve the right people and put formal agreements in place.

At Farm & General, we help farmers plan for the future with insurance options that support succession, protect assets and ensure continuity of income. Whether you’re preparing to step back, share responsibility or restructure ownership, we’ll work with you to reduce risk and keep the business secure. Explore of range of farming insurance and contact us to learn more.

Why November Is the Right Time

November sits at a natural pause for reflection. The harvest is finished and planning for the new season is yet to begin. That makes it the perfect month to focus on the long-term health of your business.

This month, we’re encouraging all our clients to review their current position. That includes checking your insurance policies, updating your risk management plans and starting conversations about succession. These steps may not feel urgent, but they are essential for keeping your farm resilient and ready for whatever the future holds.

Make the Most of the Winter Months

Productivity doesn’t end with the growing season. With the right focus, winter can be your most strategic and valuable time of year.

At Farm & General, we’re here to help you plan, protect and prepare for winter on the farm. From insurance cover to succession support, our services are built around the real needs of British farmers.

Learn more or get in touch to speak with one of our agricultural specialists