Livestock agent David Clarke has been showing the extent of severe snow on his farm in Co Westmeath.

Also in Westmeath, one sheep was seen dashing through the snow on the Dunne family farm.

Sheep and suckler farmer John Curran in Kells, Co Meath said he brought all his stock inside this Thursday morning including 80 ewes and their lambs.

“They were OK yesterday in five to six inches of snow, but there is now 12 inches on the ground and they could be in trouble,” he said. All his lambs have now made it to safety.

The sheds are not immune to the weather conditions, however, with snow blowing in as the wind picked up in the morning. “No matter where you go, it’s everywhere,” John said.

His plan for the next 24 hours is to keep a close watch on his animals as the worst of the winter storm hits.

“The sheep are fairly packed in” and need supervision in overcrowded conditions, while several of John’s cows are due to calve.

In Kilkenny, sheep farmer Brian Nicholson has so far managed to keep his water flowing.

You can read more about Brian’s farm here.

In Cork, Harold Kingston had a small mishap with his water supply.

Read more about Harold's dairy farm here.

Speaking of water, these pictures from mikeygrace2013 and patmustard11 via Snapchat show the challenges.

Frozen taps.

Frozen taps.

This picture sent by Catherine O'Donoghue Murphy via Facebook shows how a small leak covered a gate in ice at her farm in Castletownbere, Co Cork.

Gate covered in ice by leaky pipe on the farm of Catherine O'Donoghue Murphy in Castletownbere, Co Cork.

Irish Farmers Journal beef editor Adam Woods has been busy writing but also keeping Tullamore Farm ticking over.

Tullamore Farm is covered in a blanket of snow:

Tullamore Farm.

Tullamore Farm.

Tullamore Farm.

In Tipperary, dairy calves on the Murphy farm are being protected by a wall of straw.

Jane Shackleton’s Belties were bred for this kind of weather.

As was this FBD staff member, by the sounds of it.

Meanwhile, the circle of life continues across the country, as this picture of a newborn calf shows.

And the same is happening on Irish Farmers Journal beef specialist Ciarán Lenehan’s farm.

Weather advice

  • Darren Carty says snow drifts and wind chill pose the greatest risk to ewes and lambs.
  • Michael Collins on how to keep your tractor and farm equipment moving in the big freeze.
  • William Conlon writes about how to deal with frozen pipes.
  • Aidan Brennan says farmers should consider milking cows just once a day.

  • Adam Woods writes about temporary shelters and ad-lib feeding during the severe weather.

    • And of course take care of yourself and ensure you have adequate household supplies before Government orders to stay indoors from this Thursday afternoon – just like Glanbia business manager Niamh Bambrick in Co Kilkenny:

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