Farmers Urged to Provide Data on this Winter’s Losses
NFU Scotland is urging its members to provide the union with information on how the severe winter has affected their businesses. The union has devised a short survey which is available to all its members requesting information on the additional livestock feed costs incurred this winter as well as lamb losses and damage done to crops and grass.
NFU Scotland will use the information it gathers to compile a body of evidence which it can use in discussion with the EU and the Scottish Government to press the case for the importance of support for Scottish agriculture.
The survey is being sent out via e-mail to NFUS members and is also available by clicking here. The survey will also be posted out to all NFUS members in the next edition of the Scottish Farming Leader.
NFU Scotland’s Policy Director, Scott Walker, says:
“This has been one of the hardest winters on record and the purpose of this survey is to gauge what the impact of it has been. There were horrendous snowfalls in late December with snow remaining on the ground for many weeks and then this was followed by snow, sleet and torrential driving rain across many parts of Scotland in late March and early April.
“Anecdotally we know that this combination has meant many farmers will have incurred much additional expense in providing large quantities of additional feed for stock over the past few months and may have lost many ewes and lambs. Now we need to quantify these costs and losses and determine where they have occurred. In addition we want to assess the level of damage to grassland and crops. We need this evidence to use in our armoury in discussions with Europe and with the Scottish Government on the importance of continued support for agriculture.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Below is a copy of the survey which NFUS members are being invited to complete.
- Responses should be sent to Catherine Ronald at NFUS Head Office, e: catherine.ronald@nfus.org.uk, f: 0131 472 4010, post: NFU Scotland, Rural Centre, West Mains, Ingliston, Newbridge, EH28 8LT by Friday 14 May.
Name | |
Postcode | |
NFUS Membership Number | |
LFA Area (yes or no) | |
LFA Designation (Very fragile, fragile or standard) | |
Number of Breeding Cattle | |
Number of Breeding Sheep | |
THIS WINTER (2009/2010) | LAST WINTER (2008/2009) |
Spend on bought in feed | £ | Spend on bought in feed | £ |
Spend on bought in bedding | £ | Spend on bought in bedding | £ |
Total number of dead lambs | | Total number of dead lambs | |
Number of deaths you believe is down to the winter conditions | | Number of deaths you believe is down to the winter conditions | |
Total number live lambs | | Total number live lambs | |
Non compensated costs incurred as a result of damage to farm buildings | £ | Non compensated costs incurred as a result of damage to farm buildings | £ |
Can you describe any damage that has been done to grass or crops on your farm by the winter weather i.e. reseeding etc ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. |
Ends
Contact Sarah Anderson on 0131 472 4108
Date Published: 16/04/2010
News Article No.: 66/10
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