Jeremy Clarkson Heartbroken After First Diddly Squat Calf Put Down Due to TB Outbreak
“So sad,” the Clarkson’s Farm star says as disease devastates herd
A Heartbreaking Loss at Diddly Squat
Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that the first calf ever born on his Diddly Squat Farm has been destroyed after testing positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB). The devastating news comes amid an ongoing outbreak affecting the Clarkson’s Farm star’s herd in Oxfordshire.
Posting on Instagram, the former Top Gear presenter shared his grief with fans, writing:
“This was the first calf ever born at Diddly Squat. And this morning she was destroyed, while pregnant with twins, because she has TB. So sad.”
The emotional update has left fans heartbroken, many recalling the joy of the calf’s birth, which had been featured in earlier episodes of Clarkson’s Farm.
Clarkson Criticises TB Testing System
In the aftermath of the loss, Clarkson expressed frustration with the government’s current TB testing protocols, describing them as unreliable and inconsistent.
He wrote:
“I have no trust in the TB testing system at all. As a newcomer to farming, I find it all extremely haphazard.
I also can’t understand why no vaccine has been developed. And I do not see why a cow’s unborn calves can’t be delivered before the mother is killed.”
The outspoken broadcaster has repeatedly voiced concerns about how the UK handles TB outbreaks, calling for more effective testing and faster progress toward a vaccine.
A Wider Crisis for UK Farmers
Bovine TB, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is one of the most destructive livestock diseases in the UK. It spreads quickly among cattle and wildlife, such as badgers, and regulations require infected animals to be immediately culled to prevent further transmission.
According to UK government data, more than 21,000 cattle were slaughtered in England between April 2024 and March 2025 due to TB infections.
Clarkson revealed that several of his own cows had already been lost and said the farm remains under strict movement restrictions until further testing clears the herd.
When asked by a fan whether his prized Aberdeen Angus bull, Endgame, had tested positive, Clarkson replied:
“His test was inconclusive. I couldn’t bear it if we lost him.”
Kaleb Cooper Shares His Own Struggles
Kaleb Cooper, Clarkson’s right-hand man on Clarkson’s Farm, has also spoken about his personal experience with bovine TB.
In 2023, he revealed on Instagram that three of the 21 dairy cows he co-owned had tested positive.
He wrote:
“Today’s a bit stressful. I’ve just found out that the place where I have my dairy cows has got three reactors to TB.
I don’t really know how to describe the emotion… It’s not good. That’s three cows we’ve lost that are milking.”
The shared struggle highlights the harsh realities of modern farming — where years of work, care, and investment can be undone by a single test result.
The Harsh Reality of Farming
Clarkson’s fans have watched him transform from TV host to farmer since launching Clarkson’s Farm in 2021. The show has been praised for revealing the emotional and financial pressures behind real-world agriculture — from failed crops to regulatory hurdles and now, disease outbreaks.
Despite the heartbreak, Clarkson remains determined to continue farming, even as he admits:
“I’m not enjoying it this week.”
A Painful Reminder
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable challenges facing farmers across Britain. For Clarkson, who has poured his passion into Diddly Squat Farm, it’s another test of resilience in an industry that can be as cruel as it is rewarding.
