Herd stranded by distance restriction (From Western Telegraph)

Herd stranded by distance restriction

It could be months before a Carlisle farmer can take delivery of the Pembrokeshire dairy herd he bought to replace stock lost to foot and mouth disease.

Peter Graham will be allowed to restock within six weeks but, unless DEFRA changes the rules preventing movement of cattle beyond a 250-mile limit, the 130-head Cerwyn herd will remain at Prisk Farm, Maenclochog.

Mr Graham said his two sons may come to Pembrokeshire to help Mr Lewis milk the cows until they can be moved to Carlisle.

Dennis has said he will hold the cows until we can take delivery of them. It may be that Richard and Lee will have to move down to help him, he said.

It will be another six weeks before we are clean and what happens beyond then depends on what movement restrictions are in place."

His own Heatherskill herd was destroyed on April 26th when foot and mouth disease was confirmed on his farm at Kirklinton.

Although he remains devastated by the cull of what had been a top pedigree herd, he is pleased with the calibre of Dennis Lewis cows.

They are a smashing herd, I cant wait until we can get them back here, says Mr Graham, who is in the process of building a new parlour to milk the herd.

The Cerwyn herd has been bred from top Canadian female lines including Avondale and Monogram and has an average milk yield of 9,000 litres.

Mr Lewis is to retire and plans to offer his land for rent.