Winter's here -- are you prepared?

A major winter blast rolled through the nation's center in mid-December, firing up blizzard warnings and bringing with it high winds, heavy snow, and a stern reminder that it's the time of year to start making sure your farm, its livestock, and machinery are ready for the brutal winter weather in the weeks ahead.

• Marketing Talk: Farmers report on the storm

Here are a few features to run through to make sure you're ready for Old Man Winter, whether you're a crop or livestock producer or both.

DON'T GET CAUGHT BY A WINTER BLAST || During the average winter in farm country, a lot can change in an instant. So, to avoid a lot of trouble (and flaring tempers), here's a quick checklist of things to take care of ahead of time so you're not surprised by a winter blast.

• Read more: Is your herd ready for winter?