Former Dairy Farmer Shares Experience with Bovine TB and Leaves Industry
A Pembrokeshire farmer has made the tough decision to sell his dairy unit and exit farming due to the devastating effects of bovine TB. Steve Evans, a fourth-generation farmer near Haverfordwest, has sold his herd of 380 Holstein-Friesians after losing over 240 cows in the past 18 months. The farm, which has been in his family for nearly a century, will have new owners taking over in October.
The financial strain of the disease, with losses of around £30,000 per month, played a significant role in Mr Evans’ decision to leave the industry. The toll it took on his mental health and the lack of control over managing the disease ultimately led him to fall out of love with farming. The Welsh government’s bovine TB eradication strategy was also a factor in his decision, as the number of TB-infected cattle slaughtered in Wales has reached its highest levels since 2009.
Mr Evans emphasized the importance of protecting his and his family’s mental health by leaving dairying, criticizing the Welsh government’s approach to tackling bovine TB. He highlighted the success of England’s comprehensive policy, including badger culling, compared to Wales’ ineffective strategy. Despite his respect for farmers continuing to deal with the disease, he believed leaving was the right choice for his family.
In response, a Welsh government spokesperson acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers due to TB and reiterated their commitment to eradicating the disease. They highlighted efforts to support farmers through partnerships and initiatives like the Technical Advisory Group. The Welsh government is working to improve their policy approach based on expert advice and industry collaboration.
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Maria Sanchez completed her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of California, Davis, in the USA. Her studies focused on plant genetics and biotechnology, with an emphasis on developing disease-resistant crop varieties. Maria has contributed to several research projects aimed at improving crop resilience to climate change and is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Plant Breeding.