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Safety is paramount as heavy snow batters farms

Philip Case 01 March 2018
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© Tim Scrivener© Tim Scrivener

Farmers are being urged to prioritise the safety of staff and livestock amid concerns that rural communities could be cut off for days by heavy snow and large snow drifts.

The Met Office has issued a red warning – the highest level of warning – for heavy snow and blizzards in central Scotland around Glasgow and Edinburgh, south-west England and south Wales.

Further heavy snow is expected to fall on Thursday afternoon (1 March), overnight and into Friday (2 March) in these areas, with widespread disruption likely to roads and possible power cuts, as Storm Emma approaches.

See also: 9 stunning snaps of February snowfall on the farm

The forecaster says it will stay cold, with snow showers across the North this weekend. In the South, it is expected to turn less cold with further wintry showers expected. Bitterly cold winds will affect all areas.

Scotland and the north-east of England are currently the worst-affected regions, with deep snow still falling and drifting in high winds. There has also been very heavy snow in Devon and Cornwall, including low-lying areas that rarely see snow.

Rural insurer NFU Mutual has issued advice for farmers to help cope with the snow (see panel).

“Farmers across the UK are facing huge difficulties to look after livestock in the worst UK-wide winter weather we have seen for over a decade,” said Tim Price, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual.

“In the areas which have had heavy snow and temperatures falling below -10C, farmers are facing a massive challenge to get fodder to sheep and cattle which are out in the fields or housed in remote buildings.”

Tips on how to stay safe on snow-hit farms

1. Risk of pipes freezing in homes and farms is very high

Check pipes around homes, outbuildings and farm buildings every few hours as the temperature rises above freezing so you can isolate a leak before it causes devastating damage.

2. Dairy deliveries could be hit

Where roads in livestock areas are particularly badly affected by snow, it may be that some dairies are unable to collect milk. Some farmers take out uncollected milk insurance cover for this contingency, and we may see claims coming in if the present conditions persist.

3. Monitor snow depths on roofs

Keep an eye on the depth of snow on roofs and move vulnerable livestock inside if snowfall turns wet and slushy and roofs appears at risk.

4. Prioritise staff safety

Safety for farmers, family members and workers is paramount. Farmers are under intense pressure, trying to keep animals alive and while working in extreme cold, but it’s vital to avoid taking risks which could lead to injury or fatalities.

5. Public urged to avoid driving

Farmers should urge the public to avoid using rural roads unless it’s absolutely necessary. Abandoned vehicles are causing more problems for farm deliveries and milk collections than the snow itself.

(Source: NFU Mutual)

Farmers have been posting photos and videos on Twitter and Facebook to show how they are coping with the snow.

 

Livestock farmer Jonathan Sloan reported “a frozen tractor, frozen water and snow drifts the height of gates” at his cattle and sheep farm in Kinross, Scotland.

At Hill Top Farm, Malham, in the Yorkshire Dales, farmers have moved the cattle from the hilltops nearer to home to keep a closer check on animals and provide supplementary silage, if necessary.

“Lots of hill farmers will be worried about drifting snow as winds pick up – it’s really bad, especially for sheep. Good luck everyone, stay safe,” the farm posted on its Facebook page.

Cannon Hall Farm, near Barnsley, remained open on Thursday (28 February). Director Robert Nicolson said staff had moved the sheep inside.

“I can confirm that the beast from the east has well and truly bitten us,” he said, in a Facebook Live video.

However, Mr Nicolson said he was buoyed after a Swiss Valais blacknose ewe had given birth to triplets.

The Isles of Scilly got a rare dusting of snow. Staff at Salakee Farm posted a video of themselves feeding their Dexter cows extra hay.

Finally, Berkshire farmer Colin Rayner tweeted a thank-you message to his staff for braving the weather, with some having travelled many miles to work.

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