Television presenter and farmer Jeremy Clarkson has announced that bovine tuberculosis has been detected at his Oxfordshire farm.
The 65-year-old broadcaster took to social media platform X this afternoon to share the news with his followers.
“Bad news from Diddly Squat. We’ve gone down with TB. Everyone here is absolutely devastated,” Clarkson wrote in his post.
The discovery of the disease at Diddly Squat Farm, which has become widely known through the Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm, represents a significant setback for the agricultural operation.
Clarkson emphasised that the entire team at the farm has been deeply affected by the diagnosis.
He later followed up with another post that read: “I should clear this up really. It’s Bovine TB that we have. It doesn’t affect people, just our poor cows.”
As one well-wisher replied to with the cows a speedy recovery, Clarkson responded: “They have to be culled. It’s the law.”
The outbreak marks another difficult chapter for the Oxfordshire-based farm.
Recent months have brought numerous operational challenges, as documented in the fourth series of Clarkson’s Farm which became available on Prime Video in June.
During filming for the latest series, the farm experienced significant disruptions including employee walkouts and electrical failures whilst launching The Farmer’s Dog pub last year.
The presenter also became embroiled in a dispute regarding £40,000 umbrellas at the establishment.
These difficulties were largely unknown to the public until the programme aired earlier this summer, revealing the extent of the obstacles faced by the farming enterprise.
Bovine tuberculosis represents a serious concern for livestock farmers across Britain. The disease, commonly abbreviated as bTB, is a chronic infection that predominantly affects cattle herds.
The condition is triggered by Mycobacterium bovis, a bacterium that can spread between animals and occasionally transmit to humans.
Agricultural businesses face substantial consequences when bTB is detected, including restrictions on animal movement and potential trade limitations. The infection poses risks to both animal welfare and farm productivity.
Cattle health can deteriorate significantly, whilst regulatory measures often result in considerable financial implications for affected farms.
The disease remains one of the most challenging issues confronting British agriculture, with strict testing protocols and control measures implemented across the industry to manage outbreaks.
The timing of this outbreak adds to what has been a particularly challenging period for Clarkson’s agricultural venture.
The Amazon Prime documentary series has brought unprecedented attention to the realities of modern British farming, showcasing both successes and setbacks at the Oxfordshire property.
Clarkson’s transition from motoring journalism to agriculture has been closely followed by viewers since the programme’s inception.
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The farm has become a notable example of the difficulties facing contemporary agricultural enterprises in Britain.
The TB diagnosis will likely necessitate comprehensive testing procedures and potential movement restrictions for livestock at Diddly Squat.
Such measures are standard protocol when bovine tuberculosis is identified on British farms, forming part of nationwide efforts to control the disease’s spread.