As we approach the end of November, the darkest days of winter are yet to come. The good news is that the days start to get longer in four weeks’ time so it’s not all bad. However, there is no better time to plan and prepare for winter weather than now.

Dairy farms are arguably the most active of farms during winter months, particularly where winter milk is being produced either by dedicated winter and liquid milk suppliers or where spring-calving herds are milked through the winter.

There are a number of weather events that farmers need to be prepared for. The first is storm damage. Apart from physical damage to buildings and trees coming down blocking access points, loss of electricity is probably the biggest problem. Electricity is needed to power milking machines, to cool milk and to pump water.

Check that standby generators are in working order and test them regularly

While many milking machines, particularly older models, will have a PTO power option, this will only run the machine, not anything else. Most new machines all need generators to run them in the event of loss of mains power. Check that standby generators are in working order and test them regularly. It sometimes happens that generator parts get damaged from lack of use, so test the generator out to make sure that it is operating correctly. If there are any issues, get them fixed by an electrician or service technician.

Farmers should consider storing clean water for washing the milking machine and for feeding livestock

If electricity is lost to the pump-house and there is no back-up generator or water in storage tanks then you will be left without running water. The same applies to public or group water schemes as if the power goes to the pumping station there will be no water. Farmers should consider storing clean water for washing the milking machine and for feeding livestock.

Frost

The main issue in a severe frost is frozen water pipes and frozen pumps and other devices in milking parlours. Modern machines are good at self-draining, but problems can still occur. Keep all doors to milking parlours closed. Some farmers stack straw bales in front of openings to try and insulate the interior of buildings from frost.

Make sure pumps are drained at the base or well insulated to prevent impellers getting damaged

To prevent the milking machine from freezing, giving a final rinse of salt and water seems to work well for some. The rate is 2.5% salt, so 0.5kg in 20l of water. Put the salt water through after the final rinse. Suck enough water to line the internal surfaces and then drain the plant fully. Make sure pumps are drained at the base or well insulated to prevent impellers getting damaged. Leave clusters hanging down and drain them well to make sure no water can freeze in the bends.

Snow

The big snow of 2018 is fresh in the memory of many farmers still. That was a very unusual weather event but as 2020 has taught us you need to be prepared for everything. The key thing is to provide as much shelter for stock as possible and try and prevent snow from entering buildings where possible. This includes closing all doors and perhaps even blocking up openings with machinery or bales.

The worst part of the snow is usually drifts, so protecting yards and entrances from drifts is a very good way to protect the farmyard from the worst of the effects of heavy snow.