Investigation launched into mystery death of more than 100 cows

Monday 19 December 2022

Jersey's dairy farming community has been left "totally devastated" after 112 cows from a high-yielding dairy herd fell ill and died, this weekend.

The cause of the deaths at Woodlands Farm in St.Helier is not yet known. This morning, it was confirmed 33,000 litres of milk collected from across the Island on Friday and stored at Jersey Dairy - which included some from cows from the farm – will be disposed of as a precaution, and officials say there is no risk to islanders' health.

Cattle in the farm's high-yielding 'group A' herd began to show signs of sickness at the end of last week, with officers from several government departments, as well as members of the farming community, vets and staff from Jersey Dairy among those to be at the farm across the weekend in a bid to help.

This morning a statement issued on behalf of Jersey Dairy said they were "totally devastated...at this very tragic time":

Pictured: More than 100 cows have fallen ill and died since Thursday. 

"We are very grateful to all who rallied around over the weekend to help at Woodlands in this time of need. It was heartening to see that community spirit.

"Investigations are continuing to determine the root cause of what has happened at Woodlands. We know that it is an isolated incident and that no other farms are affected.

"We have been working with Public Health to ensure that there is no risk to consumers and would like to assure our customers that none of our products contain milk from the affected farm."

Eamon Fenlon, Managing Director of Jersey Dairy, said the group A herd numbered 120 cattle, of which the 'large majority' had died, with the remainder being treated by vets.

Pictured: Milk from the farm will be disposed of as a precaution, and officials say there is no risk to islanders' health.

He said: "People are devastated – they are walking away from the farm crying.

"These cattle are the equivalent of thoroughbred racehorses, and for someone in the industry it's like they have lost a member of their family."

Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf expressed his regret at the "awful news" and confirmed that an investigation was underway. 

 “I’m reassured to hear that no milk from the specifically affected sub herd has entered the food chain, and that every precaution has been taken to safeguard public and animal health. Discussions are underway about how best to dispose of the milk currently in storage. 

“I’m thankful to the local vets, Government of Jersey officials, and fellow farmers who have responded over the past few days. Colleagues from the States Veterinary team, Operations and Transport, Regulation, and Public Health have been liaising closely through the weekend, and we’ve also had support from the States Vet in Guernsey.” 

Pictured: Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf expressed his regret at the "awful news" and confirmed that an investigation was underway. 

The dead cattle have been taken to the Animal Carcass Incinerator. 

Director of Public Health, Professor Peter Bradley, added: “Islanders can be reassured that there is no risk to health, as milk is being disposed of. We’re working with colleagues across Government and the situation will be monitored closely over the next couple of days.”

Philip Le Maistre, Chairman of the Milk Marketing Board, described the situation as "horrendous."

He said: "Anyone who looks after animals will know that if they become sick it's an awful time."

Mr Le Maistre said that samples from the batch of feed believed to be responsible had been sent to a UK laboratory for analysis, while at the same time additional stocks of medicine have been sent in the opposite direction for use by vets.

Pictured: Samples from the batch of feed believed to be responsible had been sent to a UK laboratory for analysis.

Islanders have been reassured by Jersey Dairy that no milk has been collected from Woodlands Farm since the start of the incident.

Mr Fenlon said that the farm's group B herd of about 100 cattle appeared unaffected by the incident, but that as a precaution no collections had been made. There was also no evidence of any other farms being affected, he said.

Deputy Renouf said: "This is simply awful news, especially for those on the farm who must be utterly devastated at the loss of so many of their dairy herd.

"Local vets have been on site, along with other farmers, and my thanks go to all those who’ve responded. I’m also thankful to the teams from across Infrastructure and Environment who have been working to collect the dead cattle and transport them to the animal carcass incinerator."

Pictured: Samples from feed and the animals themselves have been taken for analysis and advice is being sought from the States Vet in Guernsey.

Deputy Renouf said colleagues from the States Veterinary team, Operations and Transport, Regulation, and Public Health had been liaising closely through the weekend, with advice also being sought from the States Vet in Guernsey.

"It’s not yet known for sure what has happened here, and isolating the cause quickly will be incredibly important,' he said. 'Samples from feed and the animals themselves have been taken for analysis."

The Environment Minister added that he was reassured to learn that no milk from the specifically-affected cattle had entered the food chain.

Woodlands Farm is run by the Le Boutillier family, who have been milking Jersey cows and growing Jersey Royals at the farm for five generations.