SHEEP farmers in the worst of the snow hit areas have not only been struggling to find their stock, but simply struggling to get out to find them in the first place.

With farming areas up and down the country hit particularly badly by the snow brought by the 'beast from the east', then by the winds of Storm Emma, snow drifts proved a nightmare, not only for sheep outside, but for those in sheds too.

It also left numerous roads more or less impassible, and with council workers battling away on main roads and motorways, many rural roads waited several days to be ploughed or gritted.

One sheep farmer from near Stirling had major problems finding his sheep after snow drifts made access to where his flock was almost impossible.

Speaking anonymously, he explained: "The snow in itself is obviously bad enough, but it was the combination of wind and snow that caused us the real issues as far as stock was concerned.

"When we got to them, we luckily didn't have many ewes to actually dig out of drifts, but it was getting to them in the first place that was the biggest issue. Access roads for us were totally blocked, and the council didn't come near us, so it was up to ourselves and other local farmers to clear the rural roads. As much as anything this also helped local residents, which was important when you look at how many families with kids were cut off.

"Snow drifting into sheds was also an issue for us and the ewes we've got lambing inside. Even making sure they had water wasn't easy, and we did find ourselves carting water across the farm to make sure they always had it available."

Working in the horrendous conditions was not only arduous, but it also meant that farmers and those tending to stock would quite often put themselves in difficult situations.

With last weeks red weather warning describing conditions as being 'a risk to life', National Sheep Association president John Fyall urged people to be careful: "Despite the weather 'warnings' now being downgraded, the snow and weather is still causing problems and is putting increasing pressure on folk. As people are taking livestock into sheds, especially squeezing in in-lamb and newly lambed sheep, we urge people to pay attention to roofs and make sure the stock can have an exit from any worrying snow build up areas without any risk to humans.

"Do not go onto roofs – I was tempted as ice is blocking a shaded gutter as some thaw is running into the courts – but it is a massive risk to do anything. I have already spoken to two people that are battling with shed roofs having caved in," said Mr Fyall.

"With fodder and straw already at a premium, all sheep farms will be feeling this and whilst the hills loss will be unquantifiable perhaps until lambing, areas like Easter Ross and Fife which haven't seen such falls for a while are losing sheep to drifts. As we speak snow is still coming down.

"We had put off our NSA committee meeting by a week but next week I intend to listen to and discuss any measures necessary or issues brought up by the weather, as the government are keen to respond to lessons," he said. "This could range from farm support for those in dire circumstances to how we respond as an industry to public needs such as road clearance, and certainly on supply chain issues when public have perhaps seen what is at risk relying on central depots and a few players. There is a bit of public goodwill to the industry from this, thanks to those who have played their part and let's use it to help us going forward."

Grant Ferguson, who farmers near Biggar also had a terrible few days, battling the elements. He said: "The snow just makes everything such a hard shift. Jobs that are usually straightforward and run of the mill end up complicated and taking hours longer than the usually would, or you just can't get them done at all.

"I actually ended up helping scan sheep in the snow as it started on the Wednesday, and it was a miserable job, not only for the folk, but for the ewes as well. It puts them through stress that they just don't need when they're in-lamb.

"I also struggled to get out to gimmers that are out on hill ground. You need to get to them to feed them but the snow and drifts make it a near impossible task."