A succession of storms have battered farming communities across the UK, with more than 2,000 claims already made to rural insurer NFU Mutual.
Storm Eunice, which chief meteorologists predicted to be one of the worst storms the country has seen in the last three decades, saw average wind gusts of between 60-90mph, reaching 122mph in Needles on the Isle of Wight, bringing down powerlines and trees, as well as damaging property.
Among the hardest hit farmers were those in the south west and east of England, as well as Wales and central and northern parts of England, with typical claims put in to replace barn roofs which had blown off or shattered tractor doors.
And Storm Franklin’s high winds, rain and flooding, which hit the country shortly after Eunice, saw further disruption and wide-spread damage.
Highlighting the storms’ damage was set to be significant, Paul Branch head of claims at NFU Mutual said the firm was already working to assess damage, with teams of loss adjusters visiting members during the weekend and arranging repairs.
While Scotland weathered the recent storms better, they compounded much of the damage wrought by Storm Arwen last November, NFU Scotland communications director Bob Carruth said.
"Forestry Scotland estimate that Arwen brought down around 4,000 hectares of forestry, an estimated eight million trees," he said.
"Significant structural damage to permanent buildings and temporary structures was also recorded and the majority of the 7,500 claims to NFU Mutual after Storm Arwen will have been from Scottish farmers.
"Recent storms will have inflicted further damage on structures weakened by previous weather events this winter."
Neighbourly
Arable farmer Colin Rayner, from Windsor and Maidenhead, was one of many using farm machinery to help clear roads, but voiced his concern such neighbourly deeds could stop when the red diesel law change comes into force in April 2022.
"It will make farmers think twice about helping people out, especially if we have to empty fuel tanks, change filters then fill up with white diesel," he said.
He added HMRC had suggested farmers could operate a fleet of white vehicles and a fleet of red vehicles at a recent meeting with the National Association of Agricultural Contractors.
