February is all about getting ahead of spring, and having the right gear on hand can make a huge difference once workload ramps up.

With lambing and calving just around the corner on many farms, now is the time to clean and prepare calving and lambing pens, check that all essential equipment is ready, and stock up from the Calving Essentials collection, including colostrum bags, stomach tubes, disinfectants, and mastitis detection tools. Colostrum quality and hygiene are critical at this stage, so products from our Animal Health Collection, such as colostrum refractometers and mastitis detectors, can help give newborn calves and lambs the best possible start.

Animal health jobs continue through February, with farmers monitoring body condition, tackling lameness, and managing stock that are still housed or moving between yard and paddocks. Regular foot care is especially important in wet conditions, making items from the Hoof Health Collection — including footbaths and footbath solutions — a smart investment before problems escalate. Reviewing silage stocks and feed plans now also allows time to order supplements and minerals from the Animal Nutrition & Supplements Collection before spring demand peaks.

Where ground conditions allow, February is ideal for walking fields, checking for winter damage, and planning early grazing or reseeding. Repairing fences and setting up temporary paddocks is easier with products from the Fencing Collection, including solar fence units and accessories that keep stock secure without relying on mains power. Yard and machinery maintenance should also be prioritised, with farmers servicing tractors, checking handling equipment, and tidying yards ahead of the busy season.