"We don't need no stinkin' badgers!"
Posted on 08/22/2024 6:09:26 AM PDT by Red Badger
Queen guitarist Sir Brian May says new research shows cattle could be passing bovine tuberculosis (bTB) between themselves, and that badgers are not a significant factor in the spread of the disease.
Sir Brian, 77, helped conduct the research presented in a new BBC documentary, and says his campaigning against badger culling to tackle bTB "has become as important to me as music".
Cattle are regularly tested and destroyed if the disease is found, with more than 50,000 slaughtered in the UK between April last year and March this year.
A leading vet said Sir Brian's findings could not be viewed in isolation, while a farmer who has lost 500 of his herd to the disease said badgers "do contribute" to the bTB problem.
After the commissioned research which took more than 10 years, Sir Brian said he believes that improving farm hygiene could help to provide a solution to the problem of bTB.
"The spread of bTB is from cow to cow and it’s because of inefficient hygiene situations. Biosecurity in the old days meant keeping the badgers out but now means keeping the slurry away from the cows so they can’t infect each other," Sir Brian said.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
To Badger or not to Badger, that is the question.
He has enough money to do whatever he wants. Interesting that he picked badgers as his 2nd calling instead of some astrophysicist type of thing
He didn’t “pick badgers”. The culling of cattle in the UK is a huge problem. It not only can bankrupt the farmers it also makes meat and milk very expensive.
There is a reality show you should check out. Clarksons Farm starring Jeremy Clarkson who used to be the host of Top Gear before he ruffled feathers at the BBC and was fired. The show is about how during Covid, he decided to run his farm himself. Hilariously funny and also touching. One thing they dealt with is the this issue and how the culling of cows had a devestating effect on the local farmers. The show also exposes the ridiculous government rules and hoops people have to jump through. Very well done and highly recommended.
Badgers are essentially bigger rats... Vermin by any other name is still vermin. Kill them all.
Clark son’s farm is a favorite of ours. Too Profane in spots but endearing. He needs to put a ring on it, though!
I thought that was the guy from Doobie Brothers. No wait, it was the guy from Boston . . . .
I’m sure there are probably others that are well educated............
Yes, and his brother is James May from Top Gear.
For those that don’t care, just because someone is a rock star astrophysicist doesn’t mean he knows jack squat about animal husbandry orbovine epidemiology.
I doubt he contributed more than his name and money to this research.
We build a giant wooden badger......
Badgers have been known to become intoxicated with alcohol after eating rotting fruit.[30]
Understanding Badgers: More Than Just Vermin
While it might be tempting to categorize badgers as “bigger rats” or vermin, this perspective overlooks the unique ecological role and fascinating characteristics of these animals. Let’s delve into what makes badgers distinct and important in their ecosystems.
Badger Basics
Species: Badgers belong to the family Mustelidae, which includes weasels, otters, and ferrets. The most well-known species in Europe and North America is the European badger (Meles meles) and the American badger (Taxidea taxus).
Size: Badgers are significantly larger than rats, typically weighing between 15 to 30 pounds (7 to 14 kg) and measuring about 20 to 30 inches (50 to 76 cm) in length, excluding the tail.
So if he is an astrophysicist why is he commenting and on being consulted regarding animal/biological studies?
He’s a Badger protectionist.............
Of course he picked badgers. there are a whole host of issues just related to farming. He picked badgers.
He could have picked something else like looking for a way to deal with insects with pest management.
He CHOSE badgers.
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