David farms in Gloucestershire with his family and TB has had a devastating impact on his beef herd over the last few years.
“Because this issue is so important to me I’ll be using this blog to share my experiences,” David said. “My motivation is to share my thoughts and feelings about the impact of this disease on farmers like me and to show the pressures and problems it causes on working farms.
“I’m hoping that by doing this blog it will give people a greater sense of what living with bovine TB is like. I’m hoping it will make more people aware of the issues surrounding bovine TB and encourage other farmers to share their experiences.”
“…But then came the most upsetting news – a positive test on Ernie. Ernie is nearly 11 and we’ve had him on the farm for nine years. He’s become like part of the family, almost like a pet. He’s remarkable and looks magnificent for an old boy. He was the last animal to be tested and it hadn’t even crossed my mind that he might be a reactor. So to be told that news was soul destroying…read more…"
In 2012 David was featured on BBC1’s Panorama programme as part of their investigation into bovine TB - Badgers: Dodging the Bullet. The programme captured the stress, tension and heartache TB causes farming families.
Speaking to British Farmer & Grower magazine editor Emily Cole last year, David talked about his experiences of appearing on the Panorama programme and highlighted the importance of farmers coming forward and telling their stories about the impact of bovine TB.
Read the piece in BF&G
David will continue to share his experiences through his blog.