Two-Way Radios Help Farmers Overcome Adversity
A husband-wife farming operation rely on Midland two-way radios to safely get the job done in the field.
We spoke to them about the use of two-way radios on their operation.
ABOUT HUNTER CREEK FARMS
Moriah Hunter and her husband run a hay and direct beef operation in Kentucky. They've had their farm for about 10 years.
“Technically, we are first-generation farmers. It’s my husband’s family’s land. The land has been passed to us, but we are the first ones to really farm it. He bought his first cow when he was nine-years-old, a little entrepreneur and he built his herd from there.”
About three years ago they expanded their operation to include direct beef.
“We have a cow/calf operation and used to take all our cows to the stockyards. We decided to just try it ourselves and went down a whole different road. Our friends and family loved it, so we just continue to get more into it.”
With three kids, Hunter enjoys getting her kids involved in the work on the farm.
“We have a six, three, and one-year-old. The best part of AG is that I can raise them through this. When you see things from your kids’ eyes, you don’t realize how amazing these life lessons are until you get to teach them. I love that I get to help them learn about what we do.”
IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION
For the Hunters, reliable communication is a must.
“My husband had a really bad wreck, a year before I met him. It left him with a quarter of his vision so we’ve had to adapt to doing things a certain way or how we work. Communication is crucial. It is so important that we communicate on every step of the way. We’re unique that we have that circumstance.”
For instance, Hunter keeps in touch with her husband as he drives through the field as new holes and sinkholes pop up throughout the year.
Beyond assisting her husband in navigating the farm, it's about making safety a priority.
Farming is really dangerous. You’re working with heavy equipment, you’re around animals, they’re not always predictable.”
TWO-WAY RADIOS MAKE AN IMPACT
Before turning to two-way radios, communication wasn't reliable on the farm.
“Communication used to be us on speaker phone from my tractor to his tractor. It’s a big deal for us., especially with having kids on the farm. Safety is a huge aspect of communication.”
After implementing two-way radios on their operation, Hunter can't remember a time without them.
“I’m kicking myself for not investing in them sooner. The two-way radio communication has just been mind blowing.”
Hunter uses the radios to help direct her husband in the barn and around the field. The reliable communication has completely transformed their operation. Their farm uses the MXT115AGVP3 MicroMobile® Farm Tractor Bundle, X-Talker T71VP3 Two-Way Radio, and the T10X3M Multi-Color Pack X-Talker® Two-Way Radio.
“We’ve been using them for calving season. I take the Ranger and one of my two-way radios and I leave the other one with my husband while he’s up in the barnyard feeding while I’m checking cows. It’s winter time, I’ve got gloves on, I’m cold, and if there is a problem all I have to do is grab the walkie talkies and press a button. It’s instant communication.”
Hunter can't believe that every farm isn't using the two-way radios and making then a must-have item.
“Two-way radio communication isn’t an add-on. This should be in every operation. Everybody should have these. Everybody needs a good communication plan that doesn’t involve a cellphone. It’s changed how we do things.”
She's even used the two-way radios to keep in touch with her kids and give them some freedom.
“Recently, I picked up my kid from school and because I was busy, but he wanted to ride his four wheeler around, I just gave him a radio so I can easily get ahold of him. We just find a way to use them everyday.”
MAY ON THE FARM
While Hunter would consider May a transition month, there is still a lot to accomplish on the farm.
“We’re cleaning off equipment, ordering twine, checking over all our equipment because we finish up calving about May 10 so because of that we’re still checking cows once a day.”
After the Derby, things get a bit busy in horse country.
“After Derby, we’re going to be looking, checking the fields to determine what we are going to cut first. People start calling this time of year to start reserving their hay orders.”
Hay season for the farm typically begins in mid-May and runs through October.
"We bale 1,500-2,00 squares a day and there’s lots of equipment out of there that we’re moving and working with. During hay season, we're out there all day, everyday."
