Farmers are optimistic that spring will restore health to the animal feed stock market after the long, cold winter had an adverse effect on feed and cereal prices.
Particularly hard-hit have been Scottish farmers, who told feed magazine All About Feed that livestock professionals have had to implement rations as snow and ice have kept silage clamps near to empty.
Commenting on the unusually wintry conditions, an organic farmer told the news provider: "It has been a very long very hard winter."
With feed stock demand remaining low over the past few months, the requirement for specialist handling equipment can be subsequently affected as less substances are reaching farms.
However the start of spring could kick start the presence of elevators, including bucket elevators and mobile screw elevators, as animal feed stocks become in greater supply.
Heavy-duty conveyors may also help to assist with a strong surge in the level of feed stocks passing through production sites.
One optimistic farmer, revealing his excitement at the approach of warmer weather, said: "Roll on spring, I can’t wait."