[Roxy]

Had a long chat with a very knowledgeable and helpful vet this morning, regarding the TB we have on the farm.  I wanted to check what livestock if any, would be ok on land where TB has been diagnosed in livestock.  Well, you can guess what animals were not ok, yes, the goats ......The vet advised not to put the goats on the land where the cows got infected.  They are not on the land, but only up the lane.  And as I said to the vet, its 99 per cent certain that the badgers that come on here, go on my land up the lane too ......It was also suggested that my llama has the TB test, not that is worrying about him being prone, as he does tend to spit, and if he did have it could pass it on to me I suppose.  But just wondeirng how to contain a large male llama long enough to have a jab in his neck, and then again when he has to be looked at two days later!!!

Seems only sheep are safe to graze the land.  Thats not practical on those field though.  Last time we tried sheep there, they kept getting stuck in all the brambles etc.

This is a a blow, as I really did want to put the goats or some of them on the land .....I could still do it, but would be constantly worrying.  I really think we have no option but to move now.  But having said that, I would feel obliged to let any prospective purchaser know about the TB, and risk losing a sale.  I am probably too nice, but there you go.  I would hate for anyone else's animals to catch TB.

I had an idea the goats would not be able to graze here, but its still upsetting when you get confirmation of this.

[ballingall]

I had wondered what the consequences would be for the goats. I believe last year was the first year anyone really saw much TB in goats, and there were quite a few herds which proved to be infected- around the Welsh/English border and mostly Golden Guernsey's.

I do think it would be best to test, whether you just test the llama and maybe a couple of goats, or if you test them all.

It must be very worrying for you- can't begin to imagine. It must nearly feel like those times when FMD was close.


Beth

[Anke]

It seems that you can't win in that situation! I would have the goats tested before you move, just to make sure you are not taking it with you. It seems that bovine TB is now marching across all species and I wouldn't be surprised if sheep were to be diagnosed with it soon too...

It looks as if Scotland has decided we are TB free, however how that has been established is questionable... Just thinking of the TB outbreak in alpacas and sales across the border are not checked etc etc. So I guess its a question of time for many of us.... and not if, but when TB reaches further up the country... and we have badgers galore here....

[Roxy]

We have never had a problem here, my family have farmed here for over 5o years, and never had a positive when tested for Tb among their cattle.  We understood if the badgers here were clean (which we assumed they were as the tests were always clear) they are very territorial, and would not let new badgers in, which may not be clean.....

I have found out today that a farm three miles away has TB among his milk herd, and someone a few miles the other way has it too among his cows......until the outbreak a couple of months ago, it was unheard of round here.

I can have the goats tested, but they could come back clear, and then it show at a later date.  There are no symptoms to see, its very slow growing.  The cows which were here, belonging to the farmer, who tested positive, showed no signs of illness, so that makes it all the harder to accept.

I have no livestock on the affected land, but my other fields are just two minutes walk, and its very likely the same badgers walk in both farms.