University of Oxford Zoology Department
As livestock farmers we accept that looking after animals is a 365 day-a-year occupation, but we do try to plan our work and rotate weekends so that everyone has some time off. Yesterday was a case where everyone had to muck-in and pull together in what turned out to be the most dramatic floods anyone can remember in North Oxford.
Frantic phone calls at first light meant that all the farm team, plus friends, were out in minutes, waist deep, trying to rescue stock trapped by the fastest rising flood water seen in the area. All the cattle were moved in time and every trapped ewe and lamb was picked up and transported in the grain trailer to safety. The grain trailer was the only vehicle high enough to transport the sheep out of the water. Unfortunately a number of lambs were lost - either swept away by the current or unable to survive the shock, but the remarkable efforts of the farm staff kept losses to a minimum.
By 5pm the waters had receded a little, but we still have cattle on ‘island’ fields and we just hope that the rain falling today is not compounded by the water still flowing from further up country. The speed of the floods has caused the greatest challenge, something you plan for in winter, but seems now to be a summer requirement as well.
Of course our plight is little compared to the scenes of complete devastation from Gloucester, Tewksbury and the Welsh Borders, and to those people flooded out of their homes, but days like yesterday when hard work, dedication and quality livestock are washed away, are always depressing.