Country diary: A nervous wait for tuberculosis results

Tebay, Cumbria: Today we're checking the herd for any signs of an outbreak. And it's not just me who's anxious, the vet is tooApart from two early lambs, there are few signs of spring yet in the Howgill Fells. Inside the sheds we have 60 cattle, eating the hay and silage that was made in our meadows last summer. Soon it will be time for them to be turned out to the fields or sold on to another farm.Some of last year's calves are to be sold, and so this morning we must test them for tuberculosis before they can move. We've never had TB, but because there are farmers in our area who have, we are under restrictions. These restrictions are needed for public safety, but are a drain on our own time, money and emotional resources. Continue reading...