Back to HOMEPAGE The prolonged freeze during the
last fortnight of 2009
James Irvine
Editor: www.land-care.org.uk
Filed 31Dec09
©www.land-care.org.uk
The big freeze-up at Cultybraggan Farm, Perthshire, has lasted throughout
the last fortnight of 2009, and is set to continue.
It has been some 10 years since the last such persistent freeze.
(Photo ©Kimpton Graphics)
To enlarge photo CLICK HERE
Persistent frost causes problems for livestock farms. Water supplies to housed cattle tend to freeze up. Cows with suckler calves at foot need to have good nutrition, if their calves are to get a good supply of milk and the cows are to keep their condition. The cattle are fed silage made last summer on the farm, plus cake to provide a good nutritional balance and enough energy to counter the cold.
Frozen River Ruchil with the Cultybraggan farmsteading in the background
(Photo ©Kimtpon Graphics)
To enlarge photo CLICK HERE
Another batch of calves is due to be born on farm shortly. The ability to move a cow and/or calf that may be in difficulty so that it can be treated is important. With the risk of slipping on icy surfaces it can be hazardous if cattle need to be moved for whatever reason.
Cultybraggan Farm put off all its sheep in November 2008. Currently winter grazing for sheep is let to Invergeldie Estate, Glen Lednock, Comrie. They have blackfaced hogs that are hardy beasts, accustomed to much higher altitude and mountain.
A Limousin and two Aberdeen Angus cows survey the wintry scene while they enjoy
farm-produced silage from the comfort of their housing
(Photo ©Kimpton Graphics)
To enlarge photo CLICK HERE)
It has been some ten years since the Farm has experienced such a prolonged frost. The Climate Change experts told us not so long ago that the winters in the UK were going to get milder and wetter. They also told us that last summer was going to be a barbeque summer. It turned out to be one of the wettest. Now they say that we can expect more frequent episodes of severe weather, which is a pretty good way of hedging one's bets.
In truth the factors that are involved in determining the future global weather are likely to be much more complicated than can presently be incorporated into meteorologists' long term forecasts through computer modelling.
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