Climate resilience on-farm action planner: Storms and wind

Here are some of the impacts of storms and wind and the actions you can take using our Climate resilience on-farm action planner.

The UK could see storms increase in frequency and intensity. The unique combination of increased wind speeds, increased rainfall and lightning during these events provides the potential for more extreme impacts.

• Keep the site tidy and secure any equipment or objects that could blow around
• Review the design of vulnerable structures and buildings, reviewing wind loading calculations
• Provide reinforcement if necessary to maintain building integrity
• Agree new design criteria; engineer housing systems to provide comfortable conditions for housed animals most of the time

• Ensure well-maintained emergency back-up power and contingency, e.g. for dairy herds, and implement and maintain emergency back-up power that is sufficient to support milking and milk storage

• Transporting stock and mixing with other livestock is very stressful from a physical and social point of view. Good feeding, watering and magnesium levels help
• Provide ample bedding and feed, especially for vulnerable animals like calves and lambs in potentially longer periods of housing