Preparing your farm for Storm Barra

Written by Michelle Martin from Agriland

A Status Yellow weather warning is in place for the UK tomorrow (December 7), extending until Wednesday (December 8) for Northern Ireland and southern England.

Severe wind, rain and snow is to be expected, as Storm Barra makes its way in from the west.

There is a potential, the Met Office notes, for travel disruption, damage to buildings, power cuts and a small chance that injuries and danger to life occur, from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties, and fast-flowing or deep floodwater.

In light of this, Agriland is reminding farmers to take the necessary steps to safeguard their premises, their livestock and themselves.

Wind​


If possible this evening, farmers should walk around their premises and prepare for certain scenarios.

This may involve securing certain items for risk they blow away, or moving certain items, e.g. machinery, away from areas of risk, i.e. buildings or trees that may blow over.

Ensure that livestock are sheltered, secure and away from areas of risk.

Rain​


Should you live in an rea where there is a flood risk then, on top of the arrangement listed above, you should have a plan in place as to where you will bring your animals if it floods, and how you’ll transport them.

After a flood keep an eye on the animals to see if they are drinking the water, as it may have been affected with sewage. manure and chemicals during the storm. Get advice from a vet if you think your animals have been drinking dirty water.

Snow​


During extreme cold weather, you must provide feed and water regularly, keep any drinking water troughs free of ice for animals kept outside and take water to animals regularly if any pipes or other water supplies are blocked.

Worst case scenario​


In the event that some animals don’t make it through the storm, you must you must arrange for the disposal of any and all carcasses by rendering or incineration.

As the owner of a dead animal you risk a fine or imprisonment if you don’t deal with any carcasses that are a health risk or a nuisance, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Carcasses can, after severe flooding, end up in a range of places, including fields; hedgerows; depressions; roads; canals; rivers; beaches; and the sea.

If ownership of a carcass cant be proven on private or public land then the responsibility of disposal lies with the landowner.

During the storm, your personal safety and the safety of your family should come first, and farmers should not tend to their buildings, machinery, animals or anything else if it put them at risk.

The post Preparing your farm for Storm Barra appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

Continue reading on the Agriland Website...
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 105 40.9%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 93 36.2%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 39 15.2%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 5 1.9%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.2%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 12 4.7%

May Event: The most profitable farm diversification strategy 2024 - Mobile Data Centres

  • 1,653
  • 32
With just a internet connection and a plug socket you too can join over 70 farms currently earning up to £1.27 ppkw ~ 201% ROI

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mo...2024-mobile-data-centres-tickets-871045770347

Tuesday, May 21 · 10am - 2pm GMT+1

Location: Village Hotel Bury, Rochdale Road, Bury, BL9 7BQ

The Farming Forum has teamed up with the award winning hardware manufacturer Easy Compute to bring you an educational talk about how AI and blockchain technology is helping farmers to diversify their land.

Over the past 7 years, Easy Compute have been working with farmers, agricultural businesses, and renewable energy farms all across the UK to help turn leftover space into mini data centres. With...
Top