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Nick Nairn hosts new Landward programme
on Scottish BBC TV
James Irvine
Teviot Scientific, Cultybraggan Farm, Comrie,Perthshire
Filed 03 Jun 07
©www.land-care.org.uk
Nick Nairn, the celebrated Scottish chef, hosted
the first of the new Landward series on Scottish TV, 1st June. It
is excellent that Scottish rural issues are to get such a prominent
listing: every Friday at 7.00pm.
Commendably, the first item was the risk to livestock
men and women when handling cows with recently born calves. In particular,
the need to double tag the ears of calves within 20 days of birth
was justifiably and vigorously attacked, following the recent serious
injury of a farmer's wife when she was helping her husband to round
up cows with their new-born calves for tagging. A cow, which was
normally tranquil and amenable to handling, turned into a three
quarter tonne mass of violent charging rage, triggered by the strong
instinct to protect her calf from any perceived threat. Mrs Wood
was trampled on and was lucky to survive her multiple life-threatening
injuries. In other cases the outcome has been fatal.
Beware of the behaviour of cows when they have new-born calves.
Maternal instinct is likely to be very strong.
This cow shows body language that indicates that she may not tolerate
any threat of interference towards her offspring. .
(Photo ©Kimpton Graphics)
This high risk to farm personnel has been recognised,
and clearly articulated, by livestock farmers for many years, but
it is only now - after a number of serious accidents and fatalities
- that some progress on the matter is being made. Scottish farmers
can ask the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) for extension
of the 20 day rule if they face a dangerous situation trying to
tag new-born calves. It is a travesty of common sense that it has
taken so many tragic accidents - that had been clearly predicted
- to make some progress in overcoming such thoughtless bureaucracy.
Scottish farmers are looking to the new Rural
Secretary, Richard Lochhead, to urgently get more pragmatic rules
in place that give some thought to the health and safety of those
who handle cattle.
This first programme was well produced and dealt
with a number of issues in appropriate depth that was informative
and a pleasure to watch. I look forward to being a regular viewer.
©www.land-care.org.uk
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