Gables and large roof areas can collapse in violent winds or storms. Similarly, powerful storms can lift up a whole roof, roofing plates, ventilation shafts or tiles. Feed silos, chimneys and exposed huts can also be damaged and collapse. Large trees can fall and damage buildings or machinery, or they can block access to the farm. In addition to damage to buildings and machinery, there is also a safety risk for people and for livestock.

Parts of buildings are loosened by strong winds if they are not properly secured. Maintenance plans can be prepared for regular inspection of buildings, silos, chimneys and small buildings. In this connection, a building expert can assess whether the construction is fully secure. Large and old trees standing close to buildings should be felled in good time, if they show signs of weakness. Where there is space, windbreaks can be planted around buildings. This will reduce the impact of the wind on the buildings.

After heavy snowfall, there is a risk that buildings will collapse because they cannot hold the weight of the snow. In particular, wide buildings with low-pitched roofs are at risk from snow pressure. The weight of the snow can be considerable in the event of longer periods of snowdrifting, or if old snow becomes compressed. When a thaw sets in, there is a risk that large amounts of water will be retained on the roof by the snow and blocked drains, drastically increasing the risk of collapse. Large amounts of snow can also slide down from high roofs to lower buildings or down onto areas beside buildings, where it can injure people or damage equipment.

If there are more than 30-40 cm of snow, or if there is an uneven distribution of snow on adjoining buildings or gables, or if it drifts on the roof, then the snow must be removed. This can be done using special scrapers which can be operated from the ground, or by using a crane which can scrape the snow off using special tools. When performing this work, there is a high risk of damaging ventilation shafts or roof ventilation. It is not advisable for people to go up on sloping roofs to shovel the snow clear manually, as there is a high risk of falling or falling through the roof. Note that drains from the roof and gutters must function so that water does not penetrate the building.

Large amounts of snow are often difficult to get rid of, as many farms are in areas with low priority for municipal snow ploughs. This can prevent access for vets and feed transporters, or it can mean that it is not possible to deliver or pick up livestock. This causes financial and well as animal-welfare problems.

Make room around buildings and roads for piling up large amounts of snow. If there is no machinery on the farm which can be used for snow clearance, you should set up an agreement with a contractor before the start of the winter so that snow clearance can be carried out in reasonable time. As far as possible, access roads should be open and high up so that snow does not drift onto them.

In the event of heavy downpours and thawing, there is a risk that drains cannot keep up. This can lead to flooding of low-lying buildings or inside buildings. In periods when slurry tanks are empty, there is a risk that the water outside the tank can raise the bottom of the tank. Large roof surfaces and paved areas, as well as slurry tanks with tent-type covers, collect large amounts of water.

Rainwater drains should be cleared regularly and kept clear so that they can drain water. If there is a risk of large amounts of water, it should be possible for surface water to be led into a collection basin which can delay the water before it is led out to open watercourses. Drainage channels should be established where ramps lead down to a door or a gate. The terrain can be regulated in many places beside buildings and slurry tanks so that it slopes away from the buildings. Make a breach in any dykes and vegetation so that water can be led away. Pumps and valves regulating water levels should be serviced regularly.

In periods of hard frost, water pipes can freeze so that there is no water supply. Feed installations running between buildings can freeze, blocking feed to livestock. There can also be ice in pump pipes which prevents slurry from being pumped into storage tanks. Mucking out equipment in outdoor areas can also freeze. Livestock delivery ramps can freeze and become slippery.

Water and slurry pipes which are not buried at a frost-free depth can be covered with insulation mats or straw. Pipes for feed should be insulated, including in feed stores. Channels under the floor for mucking-out installations should be made deep enough to hold manure for longer periods. Delivery ramps can be fitted with underfloor heating to avoid ice forming.

The climate will vary much more than it has done previously. This means greater risks for either very wet or very dry periods. A warmer climate will mean that winter crops will have to be sown later and that spring crops will have to be sown earlier. If it is very wet in the spring, at harvest time or in September, when winter crops are to be sown, getting work in the fields done on time and at the quality required will be difficult. It may be tempting to run machinery on fields in conditions which could cause harmful compaction. It is very easy to cause irreparable damage to the soil. This will lead to permanent losses in yields. It will also impair the ability of the soil to drain off surplus water quickly.

It is important always to assess very critically when the soil can and cannot bear heavy agricultural machinery. A good soil structure, with many connected pore systems improves the ability of the soil to drain water rapidly and various measures can be taken to reduce the pressure on fields and protect this property. One measure could be to change to no-till techniques which will improve the carrying capacity of the soil. The disadvantage here is lower yields for a period.

More winter precipitation and more heavy precipitation events will increase the risk of soil being washed out into watercourses and lakes through surface run-off and through drains. This pollutes the aquatic environment, especially with phosphorus. This also means loss of fertile and nutrient-rich soil and it will gradually reduce the cultivation value of the soil.

It is important to prevent surface run-off from higher areas, but in some places, especially in undulating landscapes, it can be difficult to fully prevent surface run-off in connection with heavy precipitation events. In such areas, buffer zones with permanent vegetation can be an effective measure to limit the addition of soil to the aquatic environment by surface run-off. The width and design of a buffer zone should depend on the local conditions and the statutory requirements in the area.

All else being equal, increased winter precipitation, in combination with increased biological activity in the soil, will cause more run-off of nitrates from farmland during the warmer winters of the future. This will lead to a loss of nitrogen from the farmland and increased discharges of nitrogen into the aquatic environment.

Run-off of nitrate can be countered by cultivating catch crops, short-term catch crops or some other form of plant growth during the autumn and winter seasons. In a slightly warmer climate, conditions will be better for growing catch crops, short-term catch crops and winter crops, because growth will be able to start earlier and continue for longer. Furthermore, in recent years there has been extensive work on many other measures to reduce discharges of nitrates into the aquatic environment, for example mini wetlands, buffer zones and controlled drainage.

In an undulating landscape, water can easily run onto the soil surface in connection with heavy precipitation because the water does not have time to soak down into the soil. In an undulating landscape the water collects in channels which can quickly be cut very deep by the flowing water. More heavy precipitation events in the future will exacerbate problems of surface run-off and erosion channels/gullies. There is a risk that eroded soil will be washed out into watercourses and lakes. This contributes to pollution of the aquatic environment, especially with phosphorus. Erosion is increased if tilling is in the same direction as the slope of a hillside, and in the long term this can lead to inhomogenous fields in relation to yields, as the process leads to accumulation of nutrient-rich soil further down the hill or in hollows.

A good soil structure ensures that water can quickly soak down into the soil. The soil structure can be improved by adding organic material to the soil. This can be done by ploughing in straw, growing catch crops, and in some cases spreading lime. It is also important to avoid harmful soil compaction, which reduces the volume of the soil by destroying large pores. Harmful soil compaction is best avoided by avoiding use of heavy agricultural machinery and by never driving on the soil when the carrying capacity of the soil is low because the soil is very wet. Similarly, it is important to avoid always using the same tracks. Soil erosion can be countered by tilling along the contours of a slope.

Heavy precipitation, especially over several days, means a higher risk of periods with high water levels in the soil or even flooding on fields. High water levels in the winter and spring can damage root development in crops. Crops can only survive short-term flooding. If water remains in a hollow in a field for a long time, the crops will die.

Water removal can possibly be improved by draining fields. If there already is drainage around a field, it is important that the system is working well and that it is maintained. Any broken drainpipes should be replaced. If the drainpipes are full of sediment, this can be removed by sluicing. If the problem is due to the water flow in the watercourse, it can be referred to the municipality which, as the watercourses authority, can provide information about provisions in regulations for the watercourse and their implementation.

Heavy precipitation, especially over several days, means a higher risk of periods with high water levels in the soil or even flooding on fields. High water levels in the winter and spring can damage root development in crops. Crops can only survive short-term flooding. If water remains in a hollow in a field for a long time, the crops will die.

Water removal can possibly be improved by draining fields. If there already is drainage around a field, it is important that the system is working well and that it is maintained. Any broken drainpipes should be replaced. If the drainpipes are full of sediment, this can be removed by sluicing. If the problem is due to the water flow in the watercourse, it can be referred to the municipality which, as the watercourses authority, can provide information about provisions in regulations for the watercourse and their implementation.

Increased winter precipitation means that more areas are at risk of flooding for a longer or shorter period. This increases the risk that winter crops will be partly or fully destroyed. It will also often mean that all or part of an area that has been flooded will have to be sown in the spring.

It can be necessary to completely stop growing winter crops on areas at high risk of flooding. Winter rye is the most hardy against flooding, while winter barley is the most sensitive.
Alternatively it is possible to change to grass, energy crops or spring crops.

It is uncertain whether, over the next 30-40 years, average summer precipitation will be less than previously. On the other hand there are indications that there is a risk of more periods of long-term drought. In sandy soil in particular, extreme drought can lead to large yield losses and damage to crops. In particular, crops with a long growing season such as maize and beet can require watering for longer periods. However, note that increased concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere will reduce the overall water consumption of crops, although this is unlikely to have a great effect in long-term droughts.

Possibility to water fields is an effective insurance against drought. However, it is very expensive to establish field-watering systems and watering requires a lot of work. Therefore, decisions to establish field-watering systems should be made on the basis of a thorough financial analysis. It will not always be possible to obtain a permit to extract water for watering fields. Information about this is available from your municipality. Note that action plans for the aquatic environment can change existing local conditions for watering fields.

Strong winds and storms can generally lead to yield losses from direct damage to crops and from unfavourable impacts on the micro-climate around the crops. For example, increased grain losses from mature or almost mature crops, snapped ears on corn or snapped stems on maize. Strong wind and storms can also cause more wind erosion (sand drifting).

Windbreaks are a good, well-known measure to create more shelter for crops on fields and around buildings. Certain additional yields can be achieved by establishing windbreaks. In general, for farm crops, additional yields of 5-10% can be expected from planting windbreaks. These additional yields are even higher for more wind-sensitive crops. Windbreaks will also preserve the fertility of soil because they reduce the risk that the topsoil is blown away.

During powerful winds or storms, overpressure forms on one side of the building, leading to underpressure on the other side of the building. If the livestock shed has wall inlets for ventilation, powerful winds can also give rise to increased ventilation on the windward side. Furthermore, wind tunnels can form between two buildings and these can lead to an overpressure zone and an underpressure zone building up inside the livestock shed at either end of the building. If the livestock shed has diffuse ceiling ventilation, the insulation above the ceiling can be blown or sucked out of place and up into loft space. This leads to strong cold draughts in some pens and to almost no ventilation air being led to other pens. In such an event, the mechanical ventilation system is unable to control the distribution of air and regulate the indoor climate of the shed, thus causing uneven temperatures and draughts which may lead to dirt in pens and behavioural problems such as biting among the livestock.

To alleviate the problem with direct wind effects on wall inlets, wind sheets can be mounted on the wall in front of the inlets. Two fences spaced 3-5 meters apart and with displaced openings can be established between building to prevent wind-tunnel effects. In order to prevent insulation mats in ceilings from being blown or sucked out of place, they should be bond-laid. Furthermore, they should be fixed by boards along an 0.5-meter zone along the outer walls. Further away from the outer walls, an RIO net should be installed above the insulation. This net can be secured to the base of the rafters. Where possible, windbreaks can be planted around the buildings. This will reduce the wind effects on the buildings. The best effect is achieved by planting vegetation approximately 15-35 meters from the buildings.

With snow and wind outside buildings, there is risk of snowdrift entering the buildings through openings in the eaves. The snow accumulates in drifts on the insulation inside the loft. This blanks off part of the ventilation system’s air intake surface area. Consequently, not enough air or no air at all reaches parts of the shed, while there is a draught in other parts of the shed. When the snow melts, water will run down into the shed in dung areas and resting areas, and this will lead to a very poor shed environment and shed functionality. The insulation in the ceiling will be wet/destroyed, and air distribution will be poor until the insulation has dried or has been replaced.

In order to minimise snow in the loft space, air intake surface areas must be designed and placed correctly. The air intake surface area should be placed in the eaves, so that the opening is situated 10-15 centimetres from the outer wall. This will generate turbulence by the wall, so that much of the snow stays outside the shed. Typically, the opening is dimensioned to fit the amount of air during summer, at which time of year there is the greatest need for ventilation. During winter, an extra wind board can be mounted along the outer wall, by which the opening is reduced to better match the requirements for ventilation during winter. If snow has entered the building, it should be removed immediately, and this can only be accomplished manually. A hatch door can be established in the gable at the same level as the walkway, so that it is possible to transport the snow directly out of the building instead of down into the shed.

In order to minimise snow in the loft space, the air intake surface areas must be designed and placed correctly. The air intake surface area should be placed in the eaves, so that the opening is situated 10-15 centimetres from the outer wall. This will generate turbulence by the wall, so that large part of the snow stays outside the shed. Typically, the opening is dimensioned to fit the amount of air during summer, at which time of year there is the greatest need for ventilation. During winter, an extra wind board can be mounted along the outer wall, by which the opening is reduced to better match the requirements for ventilation during winter. If snow has entered the building, it should be removed immediately, and this can only be accomplished manually. A hatch door can be established in the gable level with the footbridge, so that it is possible to transport the snow directly out of the building instead of down into the shed.

An alarm system should be installed which is activated in the event of a power cut, so that the operator can launch remediation measures such as opening ventilation hatches and ensuring the supply of drinking water. All electrical installations should be inspected annually by a certified electrician. Electrical controls and other critical installations can be protected against lightning bolts or other excess voltage from the grid by installing transient protection. Production properties should have an emergency power generator which either starts up automatically in the event of case of power failure, or, alternatively, an emergency power generator which can be connected to the farm plant relatively quickly.

Temperatures inside the sheds may increase significantly if the building has large window areas or large areas with skylight panels in the roof. Livestock that are always stalled in the same pen may be exposed to very uncomfortable conditions if their pen is exposed to direct sunlight. During heatwaves when outdoor temperatures are high, and when ventilation is less effective because the air is hot, there is a risk of especially critical situations. High temperatures throughout the shed will reduce the intake of food by livestock and thus reduce production. There may even be heat-related livestock fatalities.

When designing new buildings, care should be taken to avoid very large window areas and ridge skylights. Skylights facing south and west should be avoided. In new buildings, the ventilation plant can be designed with the possibility of stronger ventilation, or more direct ventilation, during warm periods. Air bleeder valves which provide air jets are a better way of providing cooling during warm conditions. In existing buildings, solar shading or extra air intakes and outputs in the ventilation system could be considered. Installing an axial flow blower inside the building for extra indoor air circulation is also a possibility. In the event of heatwaves, it is important to have cooling with high-pressure misting installed to reduce indoor temperatures.

During periods with hard frost, the water pipes to the shed may freeze if the pipes run through unheated or unused areas. Pipes supplying water and feed may freeze if they run adjacent to poorly insulated or draughty doors and windows. If the insulation is insufficient, the temperature in the shed will drop during cold weather and the air exchange rate will be lower, leading to a poorer indoor climate, greater infection pressure, and poorer disease resistance in the livestock. When temperature drops in the shed, the livestock's feed intake is increased, as the animals use a greater proportion of their energy intake to maintain their body temperature.

Visible pipes should be re-insulated. Doors and windows should be resealed and possibly replaced by new windows with better insulation properties. In sheds where the animals are kept in pens, a roof can be installed over the resting area. With this type of subdivided indoor climate, it will be possible to maintain a lower overall space temperature and better air quality, while also providing the animals with a resting area at a comfortable temperature. This solution also prevents animals from being exposed to draught in the resting areas. The roofs should be partially adjustable, so that they can be raised or lowered according to need.

Increased rainfall amounts and more intense showers mean an increased risk of driving rain and water intrusion in general. Driving rain is a problem, in particular in sheds with open sides through which the rain can reach up to several meters inside the building and make the cattle resting area wet and unhygienic. Wet resting areas can give rise to udder-health problems in dairy cows and may also lead to hoof problems. Moreover, they lead to a greater work load for staff, as they will have to spend more time on clearing and cleaning out pens and resting areas. In sheds with ventilation openings in the ridge, there is also a risk of rainwater intrusion. Typically, the water will fall onto the feed table and make the feed damp and unsavoury.

The livestock building should be equipped with adjustable screens that are automatically closed against the rain. The screens are controlled by a weather station which reacts to wind direction, rain and temperature, etc. Buildings with ventilation openings in the ridge should have gutters installed under the openings to collect the rainwater.

Stronger winds and more powerful storms place greater demands on materials and structural designs. Buildings have to be able to withstand storms of up to hurricane strength. This also applies to ventilation screens, skylights, gates and other openings in buildings.

Gates and doors to livestock sheds therefore have to be equipped with storm protection to prevent them from blowing open in strong winds and thus causing damage to the roof structure, for example, if considerable wind pressure builds up inside the building. The same applies to the ventilation screens on the sides of the building. These screens or curtains must be made from a wind-resistant material and must be adequately secured to the building structure. Moreover, the control system for the screens has to be designed so that, in the event of a power failure, the screens will remain closed and fixed in place in order to keep the wind out of the building.

In very open livestock sheds, snowdrift can be a big problem, as snow can penetrate far into the building and cause nuisance to animals and humans. Snow can make pens and resting areas damp and unhygienic, because the snow often melts quickly. Snowdrift can also have a negative impact on ventilation screens, feed installations, and mucking-out installations. Even if their roof surface is insulated, buildings will not be free of frost during periods with very low outdoor temperatures. There will therefore be risk of frost damage to the water supply and milking equipment.

The risk of snowdrift should be limited as far as possible by closing the ventilation screens and the openings in the roof ridge. For ventilation and livestock welfare reasons, however, the building should not be sealed off completely. The water supply in naturally ventilated buildings should at all events be frost proofed, because the buildings will not be frost-free during winter. Frost protection can be ensured by establishing water supply with rotation and possibly with a heating element. Another possibility would be to have electrical tracing on pipes and water lines. Milking robots (AMS) and other milking equipment should be stored in insulated and heated rooms. AMS rooms placed inside the livestock building itself, should be equipped with insulated walls and ceiling, and should allow for heating from a local heat source such as an electric fan heater.

Prolonged periods with high temperatures outdoors can lead to even higher temperatures indoors, in particular in livestock sheds without insulation. This may cause heat stress among the livestock and thus reduced production. High temperatures inside buildings have a negative impact on animal welfare and the working environment of staff. In milk production, this could lead to heat stress and reduced milk yields. A high-yielding dairy cow needs extra energy to get rid of its excess heat already at a room temperature of 10 - 12 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, dairy cows are very tolerant of cold and will not be affected by winter temperatures in Denmark.

If high temperatures coincide with calm weather, the natural ventilation in the livestock shed will not be sufficient and there will be a need for mechanical ventilation of some sort, in the form of air mixers and fans etc. Furthermore, cool-water spraying systems may be installed at the livestock shed gathering area or high-pressure cooling may be installed in the building. Finally, insulating the roof surface may reduce temperature fluctuations inside the building.

Natural light is important in livestock sheds. Partly, because natural light has a positive affect on e.g. milk yield and reproduction, and partly because utilising natural light from the sun saves energy. Consequently, many livestock sheds are designed with skylights in the roof ridge and skylight panels in the rood surface. Strong solar radiation, however, can cause high local temperatures inside the building, and the livestock will keep away from these areas. This means that e.g. several resting areas will stand unused during large parts of the day, and the livestock will suffer from not having a place to lie down and rest, with resulting animal welfare problems.

Solar radiation through ridge skylights and skylight panels in the roof can be reduced by using diffused skylights or by installing adjustable shading. If the roof surface is insulated for condensation to ensure a less damp indoor climate during winter and lower indoor temperatures during summer, the skylight panels in the roof surface can be omitted, allowing for only skylights in the ridge.

In the event of heavy downpours and sudden thawing, water can enter a building from many places. The water can damage and destroy moveable objects, animal feedstuffs and bagged goods that are stored directly on the floor. The water can also damage machinery situated in basements and in pits below floor level.

Although there is much which can be done to protect buildings from water intrusion, sometimes water intrusion cannot be avoided. Therefore, it is also important to focus on how to minimise possible damage from water intrusion. For example, it is important to take care not to place bagged goods and animal feedstuffs directly on the floor. Storing moveable objects in silo plants could also be a way of safeguarding against water damage. Electrically powered sensitive machinery and other electric and electrical equipment can be placed on cast platforms above the floor.

Surface water can run back through the drainage system if the system is overloaded. The water can enter buildings through floor drains or low-lying drainage ditches. Intruding water can damage and destroy products, furniture and machinery.

A possible solution is to install a backflow blocker. You should inspect and clean out your drains at least once a year and check that they are working properly. Furthermore, damp-sensitive items should be stored at a good distance from the floor in storage racks or on shelves fitted to the wall. Machinery should be placed on a cast platform away from the floor.

Water from heavy rainfall can collect near foundations and in front of gates and doors. The water can force its way into the building under closed lifting doors. Wooden door frames can absorb water, whereby their lifespan is reduced. Intruding water can damage and destroy products, furniture and machinery.

Make sure to keep drainage ditches in front of gates and doors cleared. Clean out drains and keep them free of leaves, straw, soil etc. You should ensure that the drain can cope with the water volumes likely to arise during heavy rain. Wooden window frames should be healthy and free of rot. Joints, seams and weather strips must be tightly sealed against water, including driving rain. You could choose to prepare a watertight barrier, which can be established and closed at short notice.

During periods with heavy rain, infiltration of water through the soil layers may be so extensive that the layers become saturated with water. Pressure is built up which, at best, will dampen the floor, and, at worst, will force floors upwards and the walls in floor pits inwards, if these have not been dimensioned to withstand the pressure. Furthermore, water may penetrate the building through cracks and chinks, for example around joints and junctions below ground level. A typical example is a grain storage pit filled with water.

In most cases, a well functioning perimeter drainage system will be enough. However, if the floor area is very large, or if the water cannot be diverted away from the perimeter drainage system, a groundwater pump may be the solution. This will lower the water pressure during periods with water-saturated soil. It should be noted that the specific composition and water permeability of the soil can mean that the water seepage causing the problems is happening outside the perimeter of the farm. If products, such as grain, are stored directly on the floor, the floor must be constructed with capillary-breaking layers to prevent damp from the subsurface from penetrating the floor. This could be e.g. a thin polystyrene plate.

Thaw can cause extensive water damage. Large volumes of snow followed by sudden thawing can also give rise to water damage. Intruding water can damage and destroy products, furniture and machinery.

You should be aware of possible snow drifts forming on the roof or against outer walls, doors, gates or windows. Snow should be removed if there there is a risk that melt water can enter the buildings. When the snow is removed, make sure not to relocate it so that it can serve as a barrier preventing the water from being led away once thaw sets in.