The recent snow and cold temperatures are set to have a major effect on the Welsh farming industry for the next year.

Gwyn Howells, chief executive of Welsh red meat promotion agency Hybu Cig Cymru, said: “Farmers in north and mid Wales have been significantly affected in recent weeks by the weather conditions.

“We are expecting to see a reduced lamb crop this year as the areas which have been worst affected by the freezing conditions are places where sheep farming and lamb production are important parts of the local economy.

“However, the full impact of the snow and cold weather on the industry will not be known until the lambing season has come to an end and the snows have thawed enough to enable farmers to access their livestock.

“Farmers are also facing increases in the cost of producing lamb in the coming months as the weather conditions are forcing them to buy in more feed.”

This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.