Jeremy Clarkson's Oxfordshire Farm Hits Bovine TB Outbreak

Jeremy Clarkson has confirmed that his Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire has been hit by an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis (TB), causing devastation among his team. The disease, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, was found in a pregnant cow carrying twins, and infected animals, including those with inconclusive tests like Clarkson's prized Aberdeen Angus bull Endgame, must be culled to prevent the spread. Clarkson highlighted the role of badgers in transmitting TB on his farm, noting previous incidents where badgers tested positive for the bacteria and were legally controlled under government measures. The outbreak at Diddly Squat reflects a wider issue in Oxfordshire, an "edge area" where herds undergo frequent testing, and comes amid ongoing government debates about badger culling and vaccination as TB control strategies. Despite the emotional toll and losses, efforts continue to manage TB through a combination of cattle testing, culling, and research into badger vaccination funded by Defra. Clarkson's public sharing of the outbreak underscores the impact of bovine TB on farming communities and the complexities of disease management in livestock.