Wednesday 21st October - All 25 seen

At 16:00 this afternoon, I received a very warm welcome from cows 211 and 212, who wandered across to greet me at the entrance gate. They were both very affectionate, offering lovely head rubs and licks after enjoying some lengthy neck and back scratches. After a while, youngster 219 wandered over too, saying hello before positioning himself for his usual back rub. I then went to check on steers 20, 30, 197, 228 and 271, along with cows 72, 214, 234 and 940, who were spread out across the western pastures, happily grazing. It was lovely to see them all enthusiastically munching on the plentiful grass. They all paused to say hello before returning to their grazing. Some were still damp from the earlier rain but were drying out quickly.

The rest of the herd were grazing at the northern end of the eastern pasture, near Bourley Road. Older steer 35 preferred the bramble in the central thicket but remained fairly close to the others. They were all friendly as I made my way around checking on them, with most enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. The majority of the group slowly made their way south, happily grazing as they went, while a few wandered over to the western pastures to sample the grass there. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, greeting me with head rubs before settling in for a long neck rub and then stepping forward to enjoy a back scratch.

Youngster 220 was looking good today, happily grazing among the group in the eastern pasture. He wandered over to say hello as I was making my way around and was happy to receive a few head strokes before being checked. Later, he had moved to the western pasture and was gradually making his way towards the water trough, where he stopped for a long, refreshing drink. He appeared much more settled today, and at no point did I see him swishing his tail as he had been doing earlier in the week.

While in the western pasture, I took the opportunity to remove the large leaves from the bottom of the water troughs and clear away those floating on the surface. The trough connected to the bowser was full, while the other trough had just over a third of its water remaining. As before, the cattle preferred to drink from the latter trough.

I said my goodbyes at 17:30, leaving cow 940 resting and chewing her cud peacefully in the eastern pasture, while the other twenty-four cattle were still happily grazing.

The cattle were all good today.

Tuesday 20th October - All 25 seen

Shortly after 12:30 this afternoon, all but three of the cattle had completed the first part of their TB tests and wandered down the eastern pasture to meet me. They were all rather wet, but that didn't stop them coming over to say hello and enjoy a few strokes and rubs. Cow 211 and steer 222 were especially friendly, taking turns to stand beside me as I brushed the water from their backs and gave them some scratches. Cow 211 was keen to show me her new collar, although it left me wondering how long it would be before she managed to get it off! Youngster 217 was wearing a new collar too.

Youngster 220 was one of the last cattle to have his test, but he came wandering across the pasture to join the others, stopping briefly to greet me along the way. He had received antibiotics during his test to treat a urinary tract infection. The HIWWT team had seen him urinating earlier, and he didn't appear to be straining as much as he had yesterday, which was encouraging. Hopefully, the antibiotics do their job and he makes a speedy recovery. Despite the weather, he seemed a little more sprightly today.

After catching up with the HIWWT team, I returned to spend some more time with the cattle, with all twenty-five now back together. The rain had intensified, and most had moved under the trees in the southeast corner to shelter. A handful preferred to remain out in the open beside the path, standing contentedly as they chewed their cud and enjoyed a refreshing shower. They were all happy to be approached, with most enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs as I made my way around checking on them. All twenty-five appeared happy, relaxed and in good condition.

I said my goodbyes at 13:20, leaving them all resting peacefully.

The cattle were all good today.

Monday 19th October – All 25 seen – Steer 220 appeared to be straining when urinating

At 11:45 this morning, the cattle were in two groups in Camp 45, mostly resting in the sunshine, with a few stragglers happily grazing. Sixteen cattle, including the seven Sussex cattle and youngster 220, were resting in the eastern pasture. Steers 20, 21, 33, 270 and 271, along with cows 72 and 940, were also resting in the western pasture. Steers 30 and 228 were both grazing but soon settled down to rest. The cattle were all very friendly, happily accepting plenty of strokes and rubs as they rested. Many stood up for longer neck and back scratches before settling back down.

Youngster 220 was initially lying down, relaxing and chewing his cud. After a while, he stood up and appeared to strain when attempting to urinate, arching his back and passing a very small amount. A little later, clear discharge was still visible from his urinary tract. As I had observed yesterday, he was also frequently swishing his tail. Otherwise, he appeared bright and alert, with no obvious swelling or distension of his abdomen.

He then wandered over to say hello, standing close and peacefully chewing his cud. After about five minutes, he settled down to rest. I updated Ned at HIWWT on his condition and shared some additional photos. Ned confirmed that the vet also felt it was probably a urinary tract infection and that youngster 220 would start antibiotics tomorrow after being checked.

While over in the western pasture, I checked the water trough, which was full. I took the opportunity to remove the large leaves from the bottom and clear those floating on the surface. The bowser appeared to be about a third full.

I said my goodbyes at 13:30, leaving all nine cattle in the western pasture resting peacefully in the sunshine. The group in the eastern pasture had started to get up and wander over to the trough for drinks. There were some shenanigans at the trough, with the Sussex cattle holding station and allowing other Sussex cattle to bypass the others waiting for a drink. A little harmless pushing and shoving ensued. Older steer 35 put a stop to that, though, wandering straight up to the trough and causing them to move quickly out of his way.

With the exception of youngster 220, the cattle were all good today.

Monday 19th October - All 25 seen

Between 07:45 - 09:45

All see as expected in camp 45.

6 were in the west field, these were 1626,219,211,1396,197 and 212

The rest were in the east field. When I arrived at approximately 07:45 all were on their feet except 220. I think he might have had a busy night as he still seemed to be sleeping. It was a good hour before he got up and joined the rest grazing on the wet grass.

I couldn’t see any sign of the blood that Gordon had mentioned yesterday on 220.

Brie and Sarah were surveying the perimeter fence as if planning an escape. 

All the cattle were happy and content grazing on the grass and various leaves on the trees.

Sunday 18th October – All 25 seen – Steer 220 had some blood-tinged discharge coming from his urinary tract

At 10:00 this morning, the cattle were spread out on both sides of Camp 45, happily grazing in the sunshine. I initially made my way through the western pastures, with the cattle pausing their grazing to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes. Cow 234 and steer 1640 were especially friendly, both enjoying lengthy back scratches.

Youngster 220 was standing on the strip of grass just off the main path to the north of the water troughs, relaxing and chewing his cud in the sunshine. It was great to see him out in the open with other cattle grazing nearby. He stepped forward to say hello and enjoyed a few head strokes. During my check, I noticed he had some blood-tinged discharge coming from his urinary tract. He appeared otherwise fine, with no swelling or distension of his stomach or abdomen. After standing with him for a while, he wandered off to the eastern pasture to lie down beside the other cattle, who had started to settle. I immediately alerted Sam at HIWWT and shared some photos.

Later, I saw him eating on several occasions and, at other times, lying or standing while chewing his cud. I also noticed he was swishing his tail frequently, even when resting. When I checked on him again later, he was still passing discharge from his urinary tract, although it was now clear. Sam advised that they would continue monitoring his NoFence activity in case it dropped. At that point, he appeared normal, and the data showed that he had been at the water trough earlier. We should continue keeping a close eye on him and report any deterioration in his condition.

Youngster 217 was standing over the now fully empty second water trough, peacefully chewing his cud in the shade. The trough connected to the bowser was still full. Youngster 230 was happy to stand and enjoy a long neck scratch while he waited for 217 to move off before stepping forward for a drink. Cow 234 soon joined him. I noted that the cattle continued to try to drink from the empty water trough before realising there was water in the one behind it. I later returned and moved the empty trough to the side of the bowser to make the full trough more noticeable and give them more room. This appeared to work, with steers 20 and 30, along with cow 940, all heading straight to the full trough on subsequent visits.

Around 10:50, I made my way over to the eastern pasture, where the majority of the herd were now lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud. Youngster 222 spotted me approaching and immediately got up and wandered over to greet me with gentle head rubs before leaning in for a neck and back scratch. The other cattle were all happy to be approached for their checks, with most enjoying some fuss. Around 11:10, a shower passed through, causing most of the group to get to their feet and wander off to the north, keeping close to the path in case they needed to head into the trees for shelter. Fortunately, the rain didn't come to much, so they all continued grazing, with some of the group gradually crossing over into the eastern pasture.

I then spent some quiet, relaxing time with each of the cattle as they gradually settled back down to rest. Youngsters 219 and 222 thoroughly enjoyed repeated back rubs, often wandering over when I was with one of their herd mates and nudging me to signal that they wanted me to carry on. Before leaving, cow 212 and steer 228 both enjoyed long rubs while resting, stretching out on their sides to enjoy belly rubs. It was really lovely to spend so much time with the herd this weekend, with the cattle all together.

I said my goodbyes at 13:40, leaving the cattle all resting peacefully in four groups across the eastern and western pastures. Youngster 220 was resting comfortably in the western pasture alongside the other cattle.

With the exception of youngster 220, the cattle were all good today.