Tuesday 11 January 2011

Tense times here on the farm.




Today the vet arrived after lunch to test the cows for TB. We no longer have a dairy herd of our own but we do house in-calf heifers for our neighbour over the winter months. Today the vet injected each animal and will come back shortly to see whether any lumps showing the presence of TB have developed. If the answer is positive then that animal will have to be destroyed and the whole herd will be 'frozen' - in other words, the farmer will be unable to sell any of his stock until such time as the whole herd is clear again - so any bull calves will have to be kept; there can be no business done.

Of course the whole thing is much more worrying if one has a beef herd, because then there is a lot of buying and selling goes on - not least selling animals for meat. If TB is present then all this has to stop.

We must all wait now and keep our fingers crossed. I took a few photographs as the vet arrived. Because the weather has been so wet everywhere is very dirty and muddy. The cattle are Holstein pedigree and some of them have won many prizes so there is even more to worry about.

today's aros: the low sun makes long shadows.

16 comments:

mrsnesbitt said...

The farmers never have an easy time. It just goes to show how their dedication to the land and animals is to be cherished.

Unknown said...

Fingers crossed for all concerned, Weaver. Many thanks for your kind words, which I'm not publishing, and for the invitation, which we shall definitely bear in mind!

angryparsnip said...

I am keeping finger crossed for the best outcome on the testing. It is indeed a worrying time.
I remember waiting for skin testing results and sitting there watching the lumps appearing all over both arms... not the best outcome.

Your yard looks very neat to me and I am wondering what the man on the left is hugging so tightly ?

Your "stones" today is very haiku and I like it very much.

cheers, parsnip

Heather said...

Do hope all is well with the cows. I saw Countryfile on Sunday and my heart went out to Adam and his father who have spent so much time building up their herds. Farmers must have nerves of steel.

Bonnie said...

Anticipation is the worst. Good luck.

BT said...

I was going to mention Adam's farm too, which I also watched. What a tense time it must be for the farmers. I hope it's the best outcome. Lovely photos.

Jeannette StG said...

Oh Weaver, hope that in the end everything will turn out all right. Understand your worry, especially for the prize cows!

steven said...

weaver i'm grateful for the reminders that you share of how much work and worry is contained in a farmer's life. i'm really thankful for the food on my table. steven

Jo said...

Here's hoping the animals are all sound. You may not always feel it, but the work done by you and other independent farmers and ranchers is greatly appreciated, and will only grow in importance in the days ahead.

THANK YOU.

Good thoughts ascending for the animals and your husbandry.

Pondside said...

Fingers crossed!
Most people have no idea at all of what a farmer goes through.

Cloudia said...

Best of luck!




Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

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Ash said...

My thoughts to everyone involved in these things in their daily lives, sometimes living seems to get in the way of life! Hope the results have a good outcome.

CHummelKornell said...

Weaver, I do hope that the tests are okay. Such beautiful animals, it would be a shame to have TB in the herd. Fingers are crossed so please keep us posted.

Eryl said...

Farming seems fraught with worry so much of the time, I do hope the all clear is given, and soon.

Your yard looks pretty good to me.

The Weaver of Grass said...

The vet returns on Friday, so I will report then. Thanks for visiting.

Dartford Warbler said...

I shall be crossing fingers and hoping for a good outcome to the tests. My son is a farm vet and is often out doing the TB tests ( in the West Country where TB is rife), so I know what a stressful and anxious time it is for everyone. Best wishes for Friday.