Jersey cattle deaths: Testing rules out notifiable diseases
27th January 2023
Tests are still ongoing after more than 100 cows at Woodlands Farm died in just a few days in mid-December.
Stock photo for illustration purposes
Testing has ruled out notifiable diseases such as Anthrax, BSE and foot and mouth disease as a possible cause of the Jersey cattle deaths, the Jersey government confirmed.
Samples of feed taken by the government’s Natural Environment team are being tested at a UK lab and initial test results are being used to help focus secondary testing. This is likely to take some time and may not be conclusive, the government said in a statement.
Natural Environment director Willie Peggie said the team has a “working theory and strong confidence” in what caused the sudden deaths. While unwilling to comment further, he confirmed the case is an “isolated incident”.
He added: “[…] It would be unprofessional, unwise and without scientific rigour to state that publicly just yet, until the further testing of the feed is complete.”
The team will continue to work with the farmer, their private vet and the laboratories.
“The testing is a process of elimination, and this means that the most we may be able to provide is a likely explanation of the cause, rather than one that is absolutely definitive,” Mr Peggie concluded.
The Jersey government confirmed the sudden deaths at Woodlands Farm on 19th December 2022. Over 100 dairy cows at the farm had died in a four-day period. Cattle in a separate part of the herd on the same farm were unaffected.
As a precaution, 33,000 litres of milk collected from across the Island and stored at Jersey Dairy – including milk from the affected farm – were disposed of.
A statement from Jersey Dairy in December said: ‘Everyone at Jersey Dairy is totally devastated with what has happened at Woodlands Farm and our thoughts are with the Le Boutillier family and all their team at this very tragic time.
‘Losing part of a herd like this is heart-breaking. We can’t imagine how difficult this is for Charlie, his family and all at Woodlands. Words cannot express the heartache we feel for them, and we cannot begin to understand the shock that they must be feeling.
‘We hope they can find the strength and guidance to bring them through this difficult and tragic time.’
