Friday 26th September

Ashley Meadows - the two cattle were quietly eating in the far north west corner. The ground was drier there.

The pump works, the electric fence doesn't.

The southern end of the meadow is very wet.

Western Fen- had to climb over the outer gate to get in.

The 3 cattle were about half way down the fen,  2 were towards the west side eating and moving slowly. The third was sitting down in the middle of the fen. 

The pump works. Most of the fen is very wet. It is drier at the north end.

Need wellies in both fields.

Richard 

David's - Thursday 25th September - Glorious Evening

 Ashley Meadow.
Both cows eating happily near the electric fence at SW corner, by battery, and a little further north. One came right over, so not much walking. Pump is fine. Underfoot was extremely wet, despite little rain this week. Ground has softened considerably. Should have stuck to original plan of gumboots....... as walking shoes quickly submerged.

Western Fen.
Nice corral. Two cows looked up when I went in,  from the western side, about 75 metres up. Didn't come over, as I suspect they know what is about to happen from the installed infrastructure. They looked fine, eating away, as I went closer. Could not find the third cow, and gave up.

Couldn't spray the dog poo en route, as no spray left. I hope that the TB re-test goes well. Not sure if they will be in the field, or not, next Thursday evening?

Wednesday 24th September | Robin Findlay

 Two cows present in Ashley Meadows, feeding close to the electric fence.  The electric fence in no longer working - suspect the battery needs replacing

Three cows present in Western Fen - two feeding together close to the eastern fence.  The other on it's own on the western side at the south end of the enclosure

Both pasture pumps working

Met a member of staff from the livestock team who was preparing the corrall ready for the TB testing - informed her about the electric fence

22nd sept

 All cattle well in both compartments.

Ashley Meadows 2 were sat next to the gate so checking them was easy. 

Western fen 3 came over when they saw me cutting the vegetation in the corral so made it nice and easy to check them too. 

The follow up TB test is being done 29th Sept with the read on Thursday 2nd Oct. The cattle will go following the test or soon after.

David's Thursday 18th September Evening Stroll

 Ashley Meadows
 
 Both cows munching away about 75 metres up from the gate, fairly central. Pump OK, odd bit of standing water on still hard ground. Electric fence - well, an ear right to the box to hear a very feint tick. Probably not doing a lot, I suspect.

Western Fen.
All three fairly close together over on the north-western side. Two seemed pretty much locked together as usual, with the third bull slightly separated.
Went over to the pump, working OK, and the bull came over to see me. Usually does with some soft talking. The other two followed, so not much walking. All looking pretty good. 
I just hope that they get through the next TB check. Will be very sad to see the bull fail it. Or all three for that matter.
The area seemed quite dry, considering all comments of late. However, I did not have to go far in, as they came to me.

Monday 15th sept

 Checked cattle, all ok. 

Monitoring western fen as its getting wetter. Currently ok and enough drier parts to keep cattle there. 

Jo 

Friday 12 September 2025

Ashley Meadows- both cattle clean, alert and eating and moving well. Pump ok. Fence gave a very weak shock when I touched it.. Can't hear  the energizer clicking and pinging.

Western Fen  All three ok once I found them all. They were clean, eating and moving well. They were spread out across the field roughly in line with the southern end of the bramble bank. No. 3 was hiding in the tall reeds by the eastern fence.

Both fields are very wet. Water in places is more than ankle deep.

Richard 

Tuesday 9th September

Ashley Meadows 

Both cows fine, pump a little slow, electric fence working.

Western Fen

All 3 cows fine - far back in the field, fixed pump.

Friday 5th September Richard & Elizabeth

Ashley Meadows - Both cattle visible from.the gate quietly eating and slowly moving together. The pump works well. Not sure about the electric fence: could not hear the energiser click and ping. Touched the fence and got a barely sensed shock, but I was wearing wellies so might not be earthed.

Western Fen - The pump does not work. 

2 of the cattle visible from gate eating and moving half way down the field. Took me a very long time to find the third. It was in the tall reeds by the east fence happily eating. The three were very spread out across the field.

Both fields were awash with water. I paddled through them.

Richard 

David's Thursday 4th Sept. Evening Stroll

 Ashley Meadows both three-quarters of the way up on the Eastern side for a change. Munching away.
Western Fen. Another result. All three by the gate area. Two came up immediately to check content of my bag, then got bored, so went back to munching normal diet. 

I cannot do next Thursday. Jo is away, so I cannot let her know. Can anyone else fill in for me please?

Wednesday 3rd September | Robin Findlay

 Checked on the cows mid-afternoon

Two  cows in Ashley Meadow, feeding at north west end of the enclosure but visible from the east/west path. Electric fence tested and working OK

Three cows in the Western Fen near the south end on the west side. All three cows were sitting down so I had to hunt to find them. Pasture pump was full

01/09/25 - Jo

 Checked the cows today, all well and pasture pumps and fence working.