Arctic weather hits farming industry hard

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The arctic conditions gripping the country have caused havoc for many in the agricultural industry.

Farmers everywhere have had to contend with frozen water pipes, tractors than won't start, dwindling feed stocks and, in some cases, total power failure.

Dedication!.JPGAuctioneers, too, have been forced to cancel their weekly livestock sales as roads have become impassable and buyers and sellers have been unable to make it to ringside.

And even agricultural journalists have, in many cases, been unable to get to their offices and been forced to work from home, (though, as the picture shows, I did give it my best shot!)

But it's not all bad news for business.

According to dairy co-op Milk Link, sales of UHT milk are booming. It has witnessed a 20% increase just this week as people have stocked up with long-life product to see them through the current cold snap...

On top of this, some retailers have increased their orders for UHT by as much as 50%, as they make provision in case supplies of fresh milk grind to a halt in the coming days - though Dairy UK insists this is not going to happen.

According to Milk Link's quick-off-the-mark marketing department "UHT milk can be stored in the cupboard for up to six months, tastes just the same as fresh milk and is the perfect, cost effective milk product for those watching their pennies".

Just a shame my colleague at Farmers Weekly Ian Ashbridge had not been alerted to this sooner. He has just phoned to tell me he had to drive 17 miles through the Wiltshire countryside last night, just to find a 2 litre carton of semi-skimmed!

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This page contains a single entry by Philip Clarke published on January 7, 2010 4:08 PM.

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