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Livestock farmers battle the elements as snow takes its toll

Rhian Price, Hayley Chapman and Michael Priestley 02 March 2018
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© Peter MacDiarmid /REX /Shutterstock© Peter MacDiarmid /REX /Shutterstock

The “Beast from the East” is wreaking havoc on livestock farms across Britain.  

Farmers have been battling the elements as strong winds and snow battered the country, causing huge snow drifts.

In south Wales, up to 51cm of snow has been recorded as Storm Emma hammered Britain, while 40cm has fallen in areas of Scotland and northern England.

Here are a few of the tweets that capture what’s happening on farms. And here at FW, we never cease to be amazed at the dedication of a livestock farmer.

See also: Farmers ‘legends’ for clearing snow-filled roads

Many livestock owners have had to herd sheep and cattle to the safety of sheds.

Meanwhile, dairy farmers have spent painstaking hours covering and heating parlours and cluster units in an attempt to stop them freezing.

Farmers from Scotland and the north of England and Wales seem worst affected, with farmers posting pictures of themselves digging through huge snow drifts to get to stock and put out feed.

Farmers are deploying all tactics to keep stock as protected as possible from the horrible conditions outside.

However, some farmers haven’t been able to shelter animals, even indoors.

It’s a stressful time for many.

The abysmal conditions have made even simple day-to-day tasks impossible, with farmers being forced to cart fresh water to stock due to frozen pipes.

In some parts, treacherous road conditions have meant milk tankers have been unable to pick up milk.

Some have been able to clear roads enough to get the tanker in…

Others have not been so lucky and have faced the gut-wrenching task of disposing of tank-fulls of the white stuff.

But some of them are even still smiling!

As Elle says, shoutout to all the farmers battling the elements…

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