Stock photo for illustration only.

As machinery may not have been used for several months, NFU Mutual is advising farmers to carry out machinery maintenance and ensure employees are properly inducted and trained ahead of the silage season.

“Getting high quality silage is vital for farmers who are facing high fertiliser and energy costs, but safety must remain at the forefront of minds this silage-making season,” said Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual’s rural affairs specialist.

“Working under pressure to get crops in before the weather changes is a perennial issue for farmers, but it is a well-known fact farm incidents happen when people are tired, machinery is pushed too hard or work continues in unfavourable conditions. No cut of silage is worth someone’s life or limb.”

Checks on brakes, tyres, trailer couplings, hydraulic pipes and lights are an essential part of a pre-cut maintained schedule, said Andy Mason, managing director of NFU Mutual Risk Management Services.

If new people are joining the team, make sure they are trained to operate the machinery they will be using and warn them about any hazards on the farm, such as steep slopes, slippery lanes and blind spots on public roads – as well as the actions to take to combat those hazards.

Staff must also know the safe working laods of trailers and must not allow them to be overfilled.

“You should never compromise on people’s safety and in many parts of the UK police forces are clamping down and making more checks on trailer loads,” Mr Mason concluded.

NFU Mutual silage safety checklist

Before silage harvesting:

• Make sure you have identified and assessed the hazards on the farm, in the field and the tasks that will be conducted during silage harvesting and know how to manage the risks
• Put in place a system for keeping in contact with lone workers

• Make sure new staff are properly inducted and trained for the work you give them – in particular the dangers of working with and around farm machinery
• Teach staff about the principles of “Safe Stop”: Make sure the handbrake is fully applied; controls and equipment are left safe; stop the engine; and remove the key, before leaving the vehicle or accessing the machine.
• Put in place measures to ensure children are kept away from working areas
• Make sure staff know the safe working loads of trailers and don’t allow trailers to be overfilled
• Ensure vehicles and trailers are road legal with fully maintained and working brakes, lights, indicators and flashing beacons. Also check the age, condition and pressures of tyres. Consider using a third party to inspect trailers, with accreditation such as the ‘Tilly Your Trailer’ scheme
• Consider letting local people know when you will be taking silage trailers on local lanes via neighbourhood social media sites to help people reroute journeys as this will cut delays and incident risks

Working in the fields:

• Regularly check moving parts of mowers, tedders, forage harvesters and balers, including guards and PTO shafts for wear or damage
• Switch off engines and ensure parts have stopped before clearing blockages or carrying out maintenance – remove keys as well to prevent accidental starting (Safe Stop!)
• Make sure drivers are aware of the locations and heights of overhead power lines and check that your machinery will safely pass under wires and restrictions
• Take special care to check for vehicles following behind before turning right into fields or yards, as this is a common cause of accidents
• Regularly clear up any mud deposits from roads – warn drivers with signage where mud may be present
• Be aware of potential walkers in fields with public rights of way and stop the vehicle if people are in close proximity
• Keep a mobile phone on you at all times – not left in a tractor or pick-up cab
• Take regular breaks to eat, drink and rest to stave off tiredness

Working on silage clamps:

• Keep people away from moving vehicles
• Ensure a filling plan is followed and that sight rails are visible at all times
• Never overfill a silage clamp as this increases the risk of vehicles overturning when rolling or filling
• Only use vehicles that are suitable for the task – fitted with an approved safety cab or Roll over Protection Structure (RoPS), well-lugged tyres, suitably weighted etc.
• For indoor clamps, keep away for the first 72 hours as this is when dangerous nitrogen dioxide gas can form in large quantities

Keep clear of the edge of the clamp (at least 1m) when (un)sheeting or removing tyres. If possible, use a mobile working platform or a hook or a pole to keep away from the edge of the face

The post How to stay safe during silage season appeared first on Farmers Guide.

While agriculture employs just 1% of the UK’s workforce, it’s responsible for 18% of all deaths in the workplace.

According to research carried out by the Farm Safety Foundation involving 900 farmers across Britain, 91% agree that farming is dangerous and most feel a personal responsibility to do something about it, with younger farmers especially keen to take action.

Having a health and safety (H&S) policy is vital for all farms, and a written policy is a legal requirement for businesses with over five employees. Moreover, key assurance schemes like Red Tractor require an active H&S policy to be in place regardless of farm size.

Wayne Owen, from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Agricultural Sector Team, explained: “The law says that every business, including farmers, must have a policy for managing health and safety.

“A health and safety policy sets out your general approach to health and safety. It explains how you, as an employer, will manage health and safety in your business. It should clearly say who does what, when and how.”

While the benefits of having a H&S policy are many, negative attitudes to the process still prevent farmers from having one, which is what the Farm Safety Foundation’s new tool is here to address.

Charity manager Stephanie Berkeley believes the key component in adopting good health and safety culture is “buy-in”.

“Agriculture isn’t like other industries in that it can present hazards to people not actively involved in the industry, such as children and family members living on the farm and visitors. Hazards can also exist for vets, delivery workers and even emergency medical services personnel, as they provide assistance and care to victims of farm incidents,” she pointed out.

The Farm Safety Foundation’s new tool aims to simplify the process of creating a H&S policy by giving farmers a series of simple questions to work through. There are also lots of useful links on the site providing further information, broken down into different farming categories.

Ms Berkeley added: “Each and every farm worker thinking about what could happen to their work colleagues, visitors or family members on the farm, what could cause it and how serious it could be, is something we should all buy into. It’s a matter of common sense… but it is not common practice.

“Rather than providing a templated policy that the farmer doesn’t even have to read before signing it and that will sit on a shelf in the farm office gathering dust, we want to walk the farmer through a simple online process.

“We’re making it easier for farmers to build a policy for their particular farm, that they can share with workers, reminding them why safety matters,” she concluded.

“A valuable tool for farms of all sizes”

To gather content for the digital tool, the Farm Safety Foundation worked with Casey Barker, a health and safety expert from NFU Mutual Risk Management Services, and engaged Warwickshire-based design consultancy Exhibit Interactive to create the user interface.

Joe Ashton, MD of Exhibit Interactive, commented: “We have worked with Stephanie and the team for several years now to create various cutting-edge approaches to improving farm safety, notably their Virtual Reality farm safety training sessions.

“We were delighted to support them with this project as it seems like such a valuable tool for farms of all sizes,” he added.

Having gone through extensive testing by health and safety experts, the HSE and Red Tractor, the tool is now available free of charge on the yellowwellies.org website.

Christine Tacon, chair of Red Tractor, highlighted that having an active H&S policy is critical to encouraging farm owners to think about potential risks and how to manage them.

“This tool allows members to ensure their policy accurately reflects their farm make-up and activities, and the format allows those responsible to make amends as their business changes and grows. The format also supports communication, understanding and adoption of practices, to ensure on-site health and safety is available to all,” she said.

“Red Tractor are the largest assurance scheme in British agriculture, and we’re pleased to be able to direct our members to these new Farm Safety Foundation resources.”

To access the Farm Safety Foundation’s Build Your Own Health & Safety Policy visit the Yellow Wellies website or click here.

The post Yellow Wellies launch free digital tool to boost health & safety on farms appeared first on Farmers Guide.

With the price of materials increasing due to disruptions in the supply chain and pressures of inflation, a growing number of people are now unaware that their buildings may cost significantly more to rebuild than what they are actually insured for.

The issue of underinsurance is having a significant impact across the UK with many business owners losing out on pay-outs due to their insurance policy being undervalued.

In 2022, leading insurer Aviva, in its latest Risk Insights Report, estimated that half of SMEs in the UK are underinsured, and 40 per cent of buildings covered in policies were underinsured by 20 per cent.

Chris Clement
Copyright Stuart Walker Photography

Chris Clement, the commercial director for H&H Insurance Brokers, said “Many businesses have existing insurance policies in place for their buildings which they believe covers them for a full pay-out if anything does go wrong.

“But with the way the prices of building materials have risen, the actual cost of rebuilding after any sort of damage may have doubled or even trebled in some instances, so what they are finding is that the value of the building has risen and the sum the insurer is paying out doesn’t cover the full amount of the rebuild.

“This is hitting a lot of businesses across the UK hard in their pocket and can be potentially devastating to businesses but, by raising awareness of the problem, we hope to make this dilemma a very rare one for people across the country.

“Seeing your building destroyed by a fire or partially damaged by strong winds is traumatic enough and learning that you will only get a certain percentage of the rebuild costs through the insurance pay-out is a stress you can really do without.

“Making sure you are correctly covered is paramount and it’s why your broker must ensure every detail of the policy is accounted for to avoid this disappointment.”

The most common reason for underinsurance was cited as a failure of conducting regular valuations.

Chris said “When renewing policies, I think it is essential for your broker to visit the property and analyse the items which they’re looking to cover so they can get a more realistic and accurate picture of the level of cover required.

“During Covid when site visits weren’t allowed, many fell into the habit of carrying out reviews over the phone but I recommend that this type of review is kept to a minimum.”

H&H Insurance Brokers is the UK’s Independent Broker of the Year for 2022 and one of the UK’s leading independent insurance brokers operating across the North of England, the Scottish Borders and Wales, with nearly 40 years of experience protecting businesses across various sectors.

The post Farmers warned about ‘potentially devastating’ financial implications of underinsuring buildings appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Iwan Evans is reported to have died from his injuries while his son Dafydd, 42, was seriously injured after a grain silo collapsed at Cleiriau Isaf Farm, in Aberhosen, Powys, according to BBC News.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement that crews from five stations attended the farm at 5pm on Friday, along with police and ambulance services.

Dafydd Evans was due to take part in a concert with the Machynlleth Male Voice Choir on Saturday, but it was postponed as a mark of respect.

Fellow choir member and NFU agent Aled Griffiths is quoted by the BBC as saying: “This is an extremely sad situation, and the whole area is in shock. They are a very popular family.

“We cancelled the show as a mark of respect for Dafydd, but also out of respect for the family who are grieving after the loss of Iwan.

“Dafydd is a long-time member of the choir. He never misses a practice and is extremely well liked.”

Councillor Elwyn Vaughan added: “It is a huge tragedy today to hear this news and of course in this agricultural community, a close-knit community, it is deeply felt throughout the area.

“Dafydd is a member of the community council, a member of the Machynlleth choir, and obviously well-known throughout the area and highly respected throughout the area. Of course we wish him well and hope for the best in the coming days.”

Dyfed-Powys Police said in a statement following the incident: ‘Dyfed-Powys Police is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man at a farm in the Aberhosan area of Machynlleth on Friday evening, 17th February 2023. The death is not being treated as suspicious.

‘A 42-year-old man is in hospital with serious injuries. The Health and Safety Executive and H.M. Coroner have been informed.

‘Our thoughts are with the family who are receiving specialist support.’

The post Powys farmer dies and son seriously injured in grain silo collapse appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Storm Otto, named by the Danish Met Office, is set to hit parts of the UK early Friday morning, with rainfall of 40-50mm also likely to affect parts of western Scotland.

NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist Hannah Binns said that while the storm is unlikely to be a repeat of Storms Arwen, Dudley, Eunice or Franklin, farmers should still prepare for high-speed winds and flooding.

“With more than 100 years’ experience of protecting our countryside, we know that lack of shelter leaves isolated rural communities, farms and dwellings more at risk from high-speed gusts and severe weather.

“Previous storms have caused widespread disruption across the UK, bringing down power lines, ripping trees from the ground, damaging buildings, interrupting travel routes and flooding,” sha cautioned.

“As Storm Otto approaches, we are urging farmers to plan ahead and take great care when working outside in stormy conditions.”

NFU Mutual’s network of 295 Agency offices will be on hand during the weather event to help communities progress repairs after the storm, make emergency payments and settle simpler claims promptly.

Ms Binns reminded farmers that their own safety, as well as that of family members and workers should always be the number one  priority. Therefore, it is vital farmers avoid taking risks which could lead to injury or fatalities.

“For farmers working alone, it is important they tell someone where they will be and their expected time back, as well as carry a charged mobile phone while working outside and use the What3Words app to help provide a location in the event of an emergency,” she added.

Some preventative steps farmers can take ahead of the storm include identifying higher ground to move livestock to in the event of flooding as well as making sure there are alternative fuel and power sources on the farm in case of a power cut or disruption.

To help farmers plan ahead, NFU Mutual issued detailed safety advice for protecting farms and its residents before, during and after the storm:

Before the storm

• Stay alert for Met Office weather warnings.
• Regularly inspect your farm and keep on top of maintenance by carrying out necessary repairs to buildings, fences and walls whilst the weather is calm.
• Check that tiles, slates, and roofing sheets are in place and put away any items that cannot be secured.
• Avoid being near barn doors if there are high winds.
• Make sure gutters are not leaking and are clear of leaves and other debris.
• Protect and lag water pipes in vulnerable areas and know where the water supply is so that you can turn it off in the event of burst pipes.
• Ensure you have a good tree inspection programme in place, paying particular attention to trees bordering buildings, roads, railway lines and rights of way.
• Prepare for power cuts: have torches and batteries to hand and make sure any generators are ready to use, and can run at full load for long periods of time, if required.
• Plan evacuation routes to get staff and livestock to safety in the case of extreme weather such as floods – identify higher ground that you can move livestock to in event of flooding.
• Have your insurer’s emergency helpline available. Call NFU Mutual’s 24-hour commercial helpline freephone number on 080028265.

During the storm

• Do not leave the house or make journeys unless absolutely necessary.
• If you need to leave the house, avoid the sheltered side of walls when walking.
• If journeys are essential, drive slowly and carefully, staying aware of high winds on exposed roads and ice and water on the road.
• Do not attempt emergency repairs during the storm.
• Keep all building doors and windows closed.

After the storm 

• Be aware after a storm or weather event, power cables or powerlines may have been brought down.
• Don’t enter any buildings that could be unsafe following a storm.
• Report any damage to NFU Mutual as soon as possible.

The post NFU Mutual shares safety advice ahead of Storm Otto appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Every year, poor mental health leads to fatal accidents and suicide attempts among those working in the agriculture industry. According to research led by the Farm Safety Foundation, 94% of UK farmers under 40 rank mental ill-health as the greatest hidden issue facing farmers today.

Therefore, this year’s campaign comes at a time when there is consensus in the farming community that mental health in the sector is deteriorating. Emma Haley, charity manager at YANA (You Are Not Alone), confirmed the organisation has seen an increase in farmers needing support over recent years.

“Calls into YANA’s helpline have increased significantly over the last two years, with 40% more calls received in 2022 compared to the previous year.

“Specifically, there has been an increase in people calling because they are concerned about someone. This is important because it can be daunting and isolating when living with someone who is struggling. It is often the first step to the person seeking help themselves,” she added.

While farmers are resilient by nature and are used to dealing with factors outside of their control on a day-to-day basis, the challenges can become overwhelming when too many uncertainties are present for a prolonged period of time, Ms Haley pointed out.

She reminded farmers that at times like these, it’s not uncommon for people to need a “little extra help” to get back on track.

“The most common cause for people seeking help is due to experiencing feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. However mental health affects all aspects of life and so we also see people calling in due to relationship or work issues, bereavement and finance related problems,” she revealed.

Meanwhile, Alex Phillimore, head of communications and development at The Farming Community Network (FCN), said cases presented to the charity have been increasingly complex in recent years, and FCN has been working alongside other stakeholders to help farmers find a positive way forward.

“We see some common themes emerging in many cases we are supporting on, including mental ill-health, family relationship issues and family concerns. No two cases are the same, but we do find that many are concerned about the future, anxious about uncertainty and market pressures, and worried about the long-term sustainability of the farm business in a changing industry,” he revealed.

Mr Phillimore also emphasised the importance of communities and the wider public supporting the essential work farmers are doing every day to put food on the nation’s table.

“[…] We know that prolonged periods of stress and anxiety can negatively impact both our physical health and our mental health, and we need to ensure that farmers, growers and all in the supply chain are given the respect and support needed to thrive. We all rely on farmers three times a day.”

“A problem shared is a problem halved”

Among the objectives of the Farm Safety Foundation’s Mind Your Head campaign are continuing to break down the stigma attached to poor mental health in farming and encouraging those living and working in the sector to look out for each other.

Farmers supporting farmers and acting upon early signs of anxiety or depression is gaining increasing prominence as the industry continues to take lives through work-related accidents each year.

In 2021/2022, a total of 22 farm worker deaths have been recorded in the HSE Fatal Injuries in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing in GB report, while an even more disheartening 36 suicides were registered in England and Wales among the farming industry in 2021 (Office of National Statistics).

Addressing those struggling to cope or worried about a colleague or family member, Ms Haley from YANA said: “The best thing you can do is find someone you trust to talk to or reach out to one of the support charities to speak to someone neutral.

“Think about the things you can control and try to make small positive changes. This could be things like how you spend your spare time, who you spend it with, your reactions, how well you are eating. These are all things that can help to cope better.”

When noticing changes in someone’s behaviour that indicate they might be struggling, Ms Haley said the best course of action is to ask the person if they are struggling and not just accepting the first response.

“Explain why you are concerned, and any changes you have noticed. Most importantly, let them know you are there to listen if they want to talk, then check in on them every now and then. It can take a while for someone to talk but your consistent messages will make a difference,” she stressed.

On the same note, Alex Phillimore emphasised the sooner someone asks for help, the sooner charities like FCN can help resolve the situation.

“Sometimes people feel they’d be a burden, or feel guilty about asking for help. But the truth is that there is immense strength in being able to let people in, admit things aren’t going so well, and talk about it.

“We need to normalise asking for help early, remind people we’re part of a community that is supportive and looks after its own, and that there are many people out there who are here to listen, support and help – including FCN volunteers,” he added.

Mr Phillimore encouraged farmers to share their burden and remember they are not alone. Finally, he urged those worried about a family member, friend or colleague, to take action.

“Remind people that a problem shared is a problem halved, and that none of us should be shouldering our burdens alone. Learn about the signs and symptoms of mental ill-health and let people know about the support that is out there.”

Both FCN and YANA offer various forms of support to those involved in the agriculture industry, delivered by trained personnel who understand the pressures in farming.

The FCN helpline 03000 111 999 is open between 7am to 11pm every day of the year, and the YANA helpline 0300 323 0400 can be contacted 24/7.

The post “We all rely on farmers three times a day” appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Over the past few years, the UK farming industry has seen continued uncertainty around Brexit, the covid-19 pandemic, supply chain shortages, the war in Ukraine and avian flu. Meanwhile, the cost of fertiliser has trebled in price and red diesel has doubled, coupled with the cost of living, loss of BPS and greater environmental pressures.

The impact this is having on farmers’ businesses and mental health is real cause for concern, the Farm Safety Foundation has said today (13^th February).

A recent study by the rural charity revealed that poor mental health among farmers and agricultural workers is of growing concern and has a direct impact on farm safety. In a sample of 450 farmers under 40, nearly all (94%) agreed that poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing the industry today.

This week marks the sixth annual Mind Your Head campaign, which brings together over 300 farming organisations and charities across the UK. It aims to break down the stigma attached to poor mental health in the farming sector.

According to the Office of National Statistics, 36 suicides were registered in England and Wales by those working in the farming and agricultural industry in 2021. Meanwhile 22 farm workers lost their lives due to fatal farm accidents in 2021/22.

“Direct link” between mental health and farm safety

The Farm Safety Foundation study revealed that 90% of young farmers agree that farm safety and mental health are directly linked.

The study revealed alarming statistics about those with lower mental wellbeing scores. Using the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scores, those recording lower scores were less likely to take steps to stay safe on the farm, including wearing PPE and carrying out risk assessments.

They were also more likely to admit to taking risks, less likely to think about the consequences and less likely to take personal responsibility for their safety.

Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation said: “Our research shows that levels of mental health in farming are deteriorating and it is being propelled by – in addition to many other things – the current political climate, stress caused by covid and its aftermath, spiralling costs and continuing barriers to adequate care for many people living and working in the rural community.”

Farmers taking part in the survey recognised that there are barriers to ‘opening up’ about their mental health, but having ‘no one to talk to’ was not seen as a significant barrier.

However, calls to rural support helplines have increased or become more complex over the past three years, she added.

For example:

• In Wales, Tir Dewi have noted 5-8 times the volume of calls to their helpline
• The DPJ Foundation have made 47% more counselling referrals
• In Northern Ireland, Rural Support have reported a 40% increase in calls to the support line
• While call volumes to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and RSABI in Scotland have been consistent, the referrals and interactions have become more complex and require more of a multi-agency approach.

Stephanie added: “Urgent action is needed to support the ongoing mental health of our farmers. We need to take the pressure off these rural support groups and charities who are increasingly relied upon to provide support for those in crisis situations.”

Len Eadon’s story

Recognising the signs and symptoms of someone struggling with their mental health and at crisis point can be difficult, especially when they are the person that everyone else depends on for support.

Andy and Lynda Eadon have shared the heart-breaking story of losing their only child to suicide, to encourage young people in the industry to reach out and support each other.

At 22 years old, Leonard (Len) Eadon was a popular young farmer, completing his studies at Harper Adams University with his whole life ahead of him, but in January 2022 he took his own life.

One year on, his parents Andy and Lynda have been working with Stephanie and the team at the Farm Safety Foundation for the past year to raise awareness among the next generation of farmers of recognising the signs and symptoms of someone struggling and gain the confidence to start what could be a difficult conversation. They are calling for more support for those making their journey into the industry and have created the Five-a-Day Challenge in Len’s memory.

Lynda says: “When Leonard died, it became a very strong feeling that we had to do something to bring people in the farming community together to talk. This is why Andy devised Five-a-Day Challenge – five very simple things you can do every day to look after your mental health.”

Len’s Five-a-Day Challenge:

1. Be honest with yourself and those around you
2. Talk openly about daily challenges and LISTEN
3. Care for yourself as well as you care for others
4. Contact that person you’ve been saying you should
5. Plan for the unexpected – make the right choices.

Over 18,000 of bright red challenge cards have been printed and distributed to markets, local young farmers clubs and through the NFU Student Farmer magazine. Andy and Lynda also commissioned 2,000 copies of the Farm Safety Foundation’s Little Book of Minding Your Head to be printed and distributed to YFCs to support the new mental health curve module that they have developed.

Lynda continues: “Our hope is that, because Leonard was so well known and it shocked so many people, we want people to keep talking about it and keep remembering him and realise that they need to be aware of what they’re feeling and reach out if they need it. There is no shame. There is no stigma. But there is support.”

For more information on the Mind Your Head campaign visit  www.yellowwellies.org or follow it on social media – @yellowwelliesUK on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #MindYourHead

The post Urgent calls for greater mental health support for farmers appeared first on Farmers Guide.

In response to destructive floods hitting Wales, the Midlands and the South West of England last week and further volatile weather to come, the rural insurer has issued advice regarding how to mitigate the impact of flooding on farms and rural properties.

The average farm flooding claim in 2022 was £26,343, climbing to £31,195 in November and December, the insurer revealed.

NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist Hannah Binns said the situation is being closely monitored with yellow weather warnings currently in place across various parts of the UK.

“The impact of flooding on farming can be significant as it not only disrupts vital work but can place lives in danger, so it is important rural businesses prepare appropriately for this risk,” Ms Binns stressed.

“There are a number of actions farmers can take to prepare for flooding, such as having a farm flood plan detailing everyone’s role should the worst happen.

“Farmers can also identify higher ground to move livestock to if water levels rise and move vulnerable machinery, tools, stocks and veterinary resupplies to safer areas.”

Safety must be the number one priority for those affected by flooding, Ms Binns continued, and steps must be taken to keep family and pets away from the flood water.

“Where possible, move to higher parts of the property and switch off electricity and gas supplies in flooded areas.

“At NFU Mutual our local Agents will be alert to flood warnings in their community and will be on hand to help, so it is important to have access to copies of any insurance documents and the relevant contact details,” Ms Binns advised.

NFU Mutual flood advice

To help farmers devise an effective action plan in case of an emergency, the rural insurer has provided detailed flooding advice as follows:

• Work out a farm flood plan so that if the worst does happen everybody knows what action to take and who is responsible for what.

• Identify higher ground that livestock can be moved to if water levels rise. If you’re renting land in a low-lying area, it’s worth speaking with neighbouring landowners to obtain permission to move livestock to their higher ground.

• Sign up for Environment Agency flood alerts at the Gov.uk website.

• Safely store fuels and chemicals that could pollute water courses in the event of flooding.

• Plan an evacuation route so that you, your family and employees stay safe. Keep contact details to hand of people who could help you move livestock in an emergency.

• Look at your farming practices and how these could impact on flooding and water penetration. Take steps to reduce soil compaction in fields and think about creating runoff ponds.

• Think about flood resilience measures for buildings which could be vulnerable to flooding. Think about locating electrical sockets and wiring higher up walls so that they’re not susceptible to flooding if water gets in.

• If you’re planning to invest in new buildings, speak to your insurer first to ensure that they can provide flood cover at that specific location.

• Identify machinery, tools or stock that could be moved to prevent loss or damage. Move vulnerable machinery stock and veterinary resupplies to safe locations if flooding is forecast.

• Consider how you’ll alert staff about a flood warning and how they can help you to prepare.

When the worst has already happened

When it comes to mitigating the consequences of flooding on farms, NFU Mutual advises:

• Make safety your priority. Keep your family and pets away from the flood water and move to another part of the property.

• Do not put your life or the lives of others at risk attempted to rescue stranded animals. Contact the emergency services or the RPSCA on 0300 1234999 for help.

• Use What3Words to communicate an accurate location quickly.

• Ensure you can be contacted in an emergency, such as keeping your phone charged up and stay in contact with those around you.

• Call your insurer immediately, asking about alternative accommodation if your property is unsafe.

• Check on family and friends and let them know your situation.

• If you can, switch off mains gas and electricity supplies in the affected area.

• Have a pack with essential items like prescriptions, other medicines and food, paying particular attention to items like baby food handy to take with you if needed.

• Have a torch and charged mobile phone on hand in case of power cuts.

• When it’s safe to enter the flooded area again, catalogue all damaged items for insurance claims and begin clearing and drying out the area, seeking advice from your insurance company.

The post Farm flooding advice issued for Wales, Midlands and South West appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Frozen pipes can split when they thaw, resulting in an average bill of £8,000, NFU Mutual has warned. The rural insurer has shared advice on how to prevent pipes freezing and how to safely thaw them if they do.

Extreme cold weather greatly increases the risk of pipes freezing in rural homes and farms. When the water in pipes freezes, it expands, causing a build up of pressure, which can often cause the pipe to slit when the thaw starts, resulting in significant damage.

For this reason, it is important to check pipes around homes, outbuildings and farmyards every few hours as the temperatures rise above freezing so any leaks can be isolated, NFU Mutual advised.

Property claims manager Jon Bird commented: “If your taps, toilets or boiler stops working, you may have a frozen pipe, so it’s worth checking periodically. As soon as you identify a potentially frozen pipe, turn off your water at the mains and at your water tank, if you have one, and see if you can locate the blockage where the pipe is frozen.

“You can then call a plumber or attempt to thaw the pipe yourself while the water is off. To thaw pipes, open the taps and then attempt to thaw the area using hot cloths or towels or a similar item like a hot water bottle. Never use a naked flame and do not apply strong heat directly to the area, and consider placing a container beneath the area to catch any leaks if the pipe is burst.”

Mr Bird continued: “If there is a leak, ensure the mains water supply remains off and the water system is drained and contact your insurer.

“Those living in rural properties can also take steps to avoid pipes freeze in the first place by checking insulation and lagging, keeping the heating on and opening doors between rooms to allow air to circulate in unused rooms.”

With such extreme low temperatures, there is a possibility of widespread leaks developing as the colder weather subsides and pipes begin to thaw.

In 2018, when the ‘Beast from the East’ hit the country, NFU Mutual saw 1,660 claims for leaks following frozen pipes – over 10 times the average in the milder years since.

Steps to take now to prevent pipes from freezing

The chances of pipes freezing and splitting depends on the weather, the age and construction of the plumbing, and other factors.

However, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the chances of damage:

• Insulate pipes and water tanks with inexpensive lagging and tank jackets, paying particular attention to areas exposed to the cold – for example, outdoor pipes and those in attics, basements and lesser-used rooms
• Set your thermostat to kick in above freezing temperature, or set the heating to regularly come on, even if you are not home
• If leaving the house for a number of days, turn the water off at the mains and run the taps to avoid water building up in pipes
• Insulate your home with draught excluders and other methods
• When the heating is on, consider opening doors to little-used rooms and cupboards where pipes are
• Fix leaky taps, which can increase the chance of freezing.

What to do if your pipes freeze

If taps or toilets stop working or refilling, or your boiler stops working, your taps may be frozen. If this happens:

• Know where your stopcock is and turn off the water
• Open the taps and then attempt to thaw the area using hot cloths or towels or a similar item like a hot water bottle. Never use a naked flame and do not apply strong heat directly to the area. Consider placing a container beneath the area to catch any leaks if the pipe is burst
• If there is a leak, ensure the mains water supply remains off and the water system is drained and contact your insurer.

The post Weather shift prompts warning over frozen pipe damage appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Storms Arwen, Dudley, Eunice and Franklin caused damage totalling over £170 million.

The warning comes after last year’s Storm Arwen battered the countryside with NFU Mutual claims figures totalling over £80 million for farms, homes and other rural businesses.

This was followed by Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin, which hit the country in quick succession earlier this year.

Together, the storms caused damage totalling over £170 million as NFU Mutual supported over 20,000 customers with claims.

Fallen trees, branches and debris caused damage to vehicles and machinery, while high-wind speeds of up to 120mph ripped roofing sheets and cladding off homes and farm buildings.

There were also widespread power outages disrupting farm work and transport routes.

NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist Hannah Binns said: “Isolated rural communities, farms and dwellings are more at risk from extreme weather, so we are urging everyone to plan ahead and take great care if working outside in stormy conditions.

“There are a number of preventative steps farmers can take while the weather is calm, such as identifying safer ground to move livestock to in the event of flooding or snow, but human safety should always be the number one priority.

“It is also worth noting alternative fuel and power sources in case of a power cut or disruption, such as making sure generators are in working conditions and able to run at full load for long periods of time.

“It is important to keep up-to-date with weather warnings and have your insurer’s details to hand.”

NFU Mutual has a network of 295 agency offices who know their communities and are on standby to progress repairs after the storms, including making emergency payments and settling simpler claims immediately.

“We also work closely with agricultural specialist loss adjusters, so we are able to quickly deploy people who understand your business,” Hannah Binns added.

Protecting yourself and your farm in a storm

Before a storm

• Stay alert for Met Office weather warnings.
• Regularly inspect your farm and keep on top of maintenance by carrying out necessary repairs to buildings, fences and walls whilst the weather is calm.
• Check that tiles, slates, and roofing sheets are in place and put away any items that cannot be secured.
• Avoid being near barn doors if there are high winds.
• Make sure gutters are not leaking and are clear of leaves and other debris.
• Protect and lag water pipes in vulnerable areas and know where the water supply is so that you can turn it off in the event of burst pipes.
• Ensure you have a good tree inspection programme in place, paying particular attention to trees bordering buildings, roads, railway lines and rights of way.
• Prepare for power cuts: have torches and batteries to hand and make sure any generators are ready to use if required.

• Plan evacuation routes to get staff and livestock to safety in the case of extreme weather such as floods – identify higher ground that you can move livestock to in event of flooding.
• Have your insurer’s emergency helpline available. Call NFU Mutual’s 24 hour commercial helpline freephone number on 0800282652

During a storm

• Do not leave the house or make journeys unless absolutely necessary.
• If you need to leave the house, avoid the sheltered side of walls when walking.
• If journeys are essential, drive slowly and carefully, staying aware of high winds on exposed roads and ice and water on the road.
• Do not attempt emergency repairs during the storm.
• Keep all building doors and windows closed.

After a storm 

• Be aware after a storm or weather event, power cables or powerlines may have been brought down.
• Don’t enter any buildings that could be unsafe following a storm.
• Report any damage to NFU Mutual as soon as possible.

The post NFU Mutual urges farmers to prepare for winter storms appeared first on Farmers Guide.