If it's not one thing.......

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:15 pm

I heard this afternoon that all F & M restrictions (except exports) will be lifted tomorrow. Just in time for us to get our group back from across the lane for TB testing on Monday. Then nail biting time until Thursday when we find out if we have any more IRs. Incidently the one IR last time went for slaughter and they found no lesions and the lab test came back negative too. This is the 60 day test (put back a bit) any IRs will keep us on standstill for another 60 days, but if there are none the herd will be freed from restrictions. And at least half will have to go, one way or another. Two years of stop/go restrictions have left me severely overstocked and it is essential I reduce the herd to a more manageable size.

And to think there was a time when I approached these tests with the happy confidence of the totally naive. How things change.

Woodmagic · Post by **Woodmagic** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 7:23 am

Shall be thinking of you and wishing you luck. Like you I can remember the halcyon days when I faced the test with nonchalance, days when stock keeping was for pleasure and not continual agro.

Jo Kemp · Post by **Jo Kemp** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:04 pm

Best wishes Sylvia.

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:06 am

I think it MUST be time for your luck to come back round now Sylvia!!! The GOOD stuff I mean. You have had your share of the other kind for a bit I am sure. ???

Fair play to you for keeping your chin up throughout.

Stephanie

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:16 pm

Thanks for your good wishes, today started REALLY well. Got the group from across the lane and they came so nicely to the barn - only problem no Apollo. Back up to the field to search for him fearing the worst and found him in the neighbour's field of very large heifers looking rather pleased with himself. The only way we could get him out was through a gate at the far side of the field and walk him back down the lane (about 2 miles instead of the few hundred yards if he's come out with the others). So with one person in front, one alongside and one behind we walked back at a smart pace. Got him back at 9.40 for the test at 10am. Offered to pay for injections for all the heifers but the owner said they had already been AI.d and if any had been bulling (which I think they must have been) he didn't mind. So, Stephanie, a considerable amount of luck used up already what with managing to get him out of the heifers' field and not meeting any traffic on the walk back.

I must admit my heart sank when I found it was the same short-tempered vet we had last time who I know told the senior vet that this was a dreadful place to work at, which surprised senior vet who always manages to look as if he enjoys coming here. His idea of a joke sending him back again I expect. But it is difficult to warm to someone who reacts to animals as he does.

Anyway, the Dexters are all back out in the fields now until Thursday, when fingers will have to be crossed again.

oliver1921 · Post by **oliver1921** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:40 pm

Just had our retest and got a reactor - had two last year and had two retests before we got them clear. the cow seems absolutely fine but it is such a nuisance, we have had her for three years, has been clear the last two times, suppose we will just have to wait and see.

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:53 pm

Oliver, is your re-test a reactor or an inconclusive (IR = Inconclusive Reading)? I only want to clarify this because I thought all reactors were slaughtered without a re-test whereas IRs are re-tested twice if necessary.

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:29 pm

Well, that is the reading done. One IR again out of 80-odd cattle. So 60 days standstill again, oh well can't move them because of the F & M anyway.

Woodmagic · Post by **Woodmagic** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:06 pm

So sorry, I had been wondering how you got on, it would have been nice to have had a clear test, but as you say, you can console yourself you couldnt move them now, anyway.

Jo Kemp · Post by **Jo Kemp** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:54 am

What bad luck - I wish I had confidence in the reliability of the test!
Jo

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:08 am

How long before you can re-test that one Sylvia? Hopefully she tests negative before the F & M restrictions are lifted.

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:20 am

60 days.

oliver1921 · Post by **oliver1921** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:48 am

Sorry - should have saaid inconclusive thank heavens

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:32 pm

Small footnote to this wretched situation. Having had the Prohibiting Movement Notice for the one IR from the vet after the last test, today I had a letter from Animal Health telling me that the test was clear and my next test would be in 12 months time. Of course I checked because one of them had to be wrong but for the 3 or 4 hours that it took to sort it out I dared to hope it was the vet who was wrong and the herd were at last back to clear status. Of course it wasn't and we are back to another test in 60 days again.

I have been pragmatic during this time but discovering how I felt when I thought the herd had been declared clear, I now know that this is the most depressing thing that has happened to us since we bought this farm. Part of me feels like having all my lovely cows shot and taken away.

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:27 pm

Sylvia,

My heart goes out to you, life can be so harsh and unfair.

Stephanie