Government animal health inspectors called in after deaths of 55 dairy cows
The dead cows were part of a herd of 700, managed by farm management company, Evolution Farming
Alan Thompson
The farm run by West Yorkshire-based farm management company Evolution Farming, in Houghton Lane, between Houghton on the Hill and Stoughton, where 55 cows died (Image: Leicester Mercury)
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Government animal health inspectors are carrying out investigations at a farm where 55 dairy cows died in a suspected water contamination incident.
Staff from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), part of Defra, went to Houghton Lodge Farm, in Houghton Lane, between Stoughton and Houghton on the Hill after the devastating incident on Wednesday.
The dead cows were part of a herd of 700, managed by farm management company, Evolution Farming.
The company's directors and staff worked round-the-clock to stabilise the situation and a team of vets worked through the night to save 30 other cows.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS)sent a water carrier from Loughborough which was used to fill a "dam", holding 6,000 litres of water.
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A crew from Wigston ferried supplies from a hydrant throughout the night to keep the remaining cows watered.
The alarm was first raised on Tuesday afternoon when 10 dairy cows at pasture collapsed, showing signs of bloat.
The company said that because the cows' condition was so extreme, the farm's experienced stockmen performed emergency rumendectomies, using a cannula to release the gas directly through the cows' sides.
The farm run by West Yorkshire-based farm management company Evolution Farming, in Houghton Lane, between Houghton on the Hill and Stoughton, where 55 cows died. (Image: Leicester Mercury)
A spokesman said:"This quick thinking undoubtedly saved several cows' lives."
The vet was called and when he arrived, more cows collapsed, some in yards, leading the vet to suggest the cause was the water system.
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The spokesman added: "More cows succumbed as the whole team worked with the vet to treat and make them comfortable."
The company said the water system was taken down, cleaned and alternative supplies sought.
The spokesman added: "We want to express our huge gratitude to Leicestershire Fire Service, who worked tirelessly until dawn to bring fresh water supplies to the cows on-site."
A dam of the type used by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service to get water to the animals (Image: Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service)
The company, which has managed the farm for 18 months, added that no more cows had come down with symptoms following the initial incident and that no milk had left the farm and was undergoing testing.
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Today the company spokesman said: "There is no further news yet, we are still waiting on the results from various tests.
"The cows seem okay and things, as best as they can, are returning to some sense of normality.
"APHA are involved, but this is standard practice when an incidence like this happens."