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For Farmers Bad Winter Aftermath Not Just About Potholes - SAC Advice Available Online

SAC News Release Ref. No: 11N29
Published: 09 Mar 2011

The headlines have changed and the buds are bursting but even as the spring days get longer the effects of the past winter’s snow and ice are still being felt by farmers. Potholes may be an obvious legacy for urban dwellers but in the countryside the aftermath is less easy to spot. SAC has published a series of advice notes on its website, aimed at farmers struggling with a shortage of feed, fodder and bedding or an uncertain lamb crop.

To reach the advice go to our Bad Winter Aftermath pages.

Coordinated by Graham Baird, at SAC’s Perth Veterinary Centre, SAC issued some of these advice notes during the worst of the winter’s storms. However while the initial problems of feeding and watering stock or collapsing roofs brought their own pressures there is likely to be a sting in the winter’s tail.

“We felt it was important to keep that early advice available”, says Graham Baird. “With feed and fodder costs climbing and several months of a Scottish spring still to get through, many farmers are worried about making food stocks last. Then there is the effect the stress of that winter may have placed on the stock. For example there is concern that some ewes may be approaching lambing in poorer condition than normal. This can affect the health of lambs and the ewes which might suffer twin lamb diseases and other nutritional disorders. Stock in poorer condition is also more susceptible to parasites and disease. All these things will be challenges”.

The advice on the website has been prepared by the team of SAC beef and sheep consultants, nutritionists and vets with funding from Scottish Government as part of its Animal, Welfare Advisory Activity. There is general information for all farmers and more specific advice for suckler beef and sheep producers.

According to Graham Baird as the year progresses more information will be added to the page.

“No one can predict what might come to light several months down the line, but we would hope to address it. If we are to get more of these bad winters this kind of information will continue to be useful and may help producers prepare better”.   

Graham Baird can be contacted via the details below.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Mr Graham Baird
Veterinary Centre Manager
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work Perth Veterinary Centre, 5 Bertha Park View,
Perth
PH1 3FZ
TelWork 01738 629167
Fax 01738 643198

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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