Growers and agronomists took to Twitter to air their pleasure that winter has arrived, ushering in a spell of harsh frosts and sub-zero temperatures across many parts of the UK.

The bitter conditions are in stark contrast to last December, which was officially the warmest on record with an average temperature of 8C for the month.

The hope is that the cold blast will hold back the spread of crop diseases, such as yellow rust, and deter pests.

See also: Yellow rust disease strikes North Eastern wheat crops

We’ve cherry-picked our favourite winter weather farming tweets to capture the mood of arable farmers across the country.

3 nights in a row of below -5, almost unheard of for down here @MRH_Agronomy @AgriiWest pic.twitter.com/2ntl9sJ4Ro

— Todd Jex (@TJex_RegenAg) December 1, 2016

No words needed pic.twitter.com/qAJhR9EM6J

— David Walston (@OOOfarmer) November 29, 2016

Osr still white with frost this afternoon pic.twitter.com/0X15dHGTxd

— David Lines💙 (@LinesDavid) November 30, 2016

Beautiful frost this am. Should help with a few unwanted pests #winter16 pic.twitter.com/3qpbQ09PBX

— Will Atkinson (@atkinsonwill1) November 26, 2016

Osr getting knocked back by frost and pigeon patrol started already pic.twitter.com/BzFCLYOIJH

— James Telfer (@jitelfer) November 24, 2016

Sammy took advantage of the frost this morning and made a top job of ploughing the beet pad area. pic.twitter.com/E74l5oRw5w

— James S. Peck (@Pxfarms) November 30, 2016

Heavy frost again this morning. Lots of ice breaking for sheep & poultry water pic.twitter.com/chSFyAh4cK

— Charlotte Maythorn (@MaythornFarm) November 30, 2016

Re-drilling sprayed off area on the frost this morning. pic.twitter.com/x0NpzgYQOW

— Russell McKenzie (@russbmckenzie) November 30, 2016

https://twitter.com/johnny1_760/status/803512488092467200

Finally got on the kerb today in the cold #compass and #Elgar looking a mixed bag. Spirit not even marking ground @HOUSEHAMSPRAYER pic.twitter.com/gnExkH078n

— Matt lewis (@Farmermatt77) November 30, 2016

Lovely morning for some winter ploughing, only a few days work left now. pic.twitter.com/VXjIHKfUdz

— A.H. Worth (@AH_Worth) November 30, 2016