The start of the New Year at Yellingham is always a little bit of a tense time, as we have our annual routine TB test on our cattle. This test is compulsory and is funded by the Government. Our test is always in January and carried out by our local vets. In brief, each animal has two injections, approximately 12cms apart. First the vet will clip 2 small areas where the injection will be made and then measure the thickness of the skin before administering the injection. Avian tuberculin is injected in the top site and bovine tuberculin below. On the 4th day after the first visit, the vet returns and feels each site to see if there is any reaction. That’s the day of concern.
Thankfully, this year we were, again, all clear. The test lasts for 60 days, during which time the cattle can be moved. Any movement off the farm after 60 days involves another test, but at the farm’s expense. Lecture over!!
As I write I have had another swim around the farm – I honestly believe it is the wettest winter we have ever had here. I sent some lambs off to the abattoir this week and was told that, if necessary, I would have to wash the lambs as the vets are getting so strict on dirty animals entering the food chain, which I agree with.
Fortunately, my meat lambs are grazing on the only field left which drains well, and no, I didn’t have to 
give them a shower. The shearer is arriving next week to dag out my in-lamb ewes and then they will be housed in the lead up to lambing. Whilst I would prefer to keep them out for a couple more weeks, the fields are becoming so muddy, particularly where we have got feeders and hay racks. Let’s hope for some lovely sunshine and strong winds to start to dry everything up.
My first daffodils are out down the lane and I hope all of you who walk past the farm will enjoy them.
Janet
