Jeremy Clarkson, the famously outspoken British television presenter, journalist, and motoring enthusiast, has found himself in the middle of a farming crisis.
Best known for hosting Top Gear and The Grand Tour, Clarkson has more recently become a farmer and rural advocate through his unscripted Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm.
His 1,000-acre Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire, England, is now under lockdown due to a confirmed case of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), a serious infectious disease affecting cattle.
Lamborghini Tractors, Crops, and Animals
Clarkson’s farming journey began in 2019 when the farmer who had been leasing his land retired. Rather than rent it out again, Clarkson decided to take on the challenge himself.
The result was Clarkson’s Farm, a documentary-style series that follows his often humorous but sincere efforts to run a working farm—such as purchasing a tractor made by exotic car manufacturer Lamborghini—the Lamborghini R8 270 DCR tractor that was too large to fit in the storage barn, let alone too wide to go through fenced areas. As well, the tractor was equipped with 48 gears and 188 buttons, had a turbocharged six-cylinder engine with 269 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque, and was far more powerful and complex than necessary for the tasks on his farm. He ended up selling it at a loss.
Lamborghini, it should be noted, got its start in the vehicle manufacturing business by building agricultural tractors.
Ferruccio Lamborghini founded Lamborghini Trattori in 1948 in Cento, Italy, using discarded war materials like truck and military vehicle engines. Born under the star sign of Taurus (the bull), the Lamborghini tractors became known for their durability and technical sophistication, becoming one of Italy’s leading agricultural machinery manufacturers.
Being rich, he purchased a Ferrari or two but was dissatisfied with recurring clutch issues in his Ferrari 250 GT. Confronting Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari, he was told, “The problem isn’t the car; it’s the driver. Go back to your tractors.” That’s how a ticked off Lamborghini became involved in building cars.
As for Clarkson’s Farm, the show has been praised for shedding light on the real struggles of British farmers, from unpredictable weather to complex regulations.
At Diddly Squat Farm, Clarkson raises cattle, grows crops like barley and wheat, and operates a farm shop that sells local produce. His Aberdeen Angus bull, Endgame, and other animals—cows, sheep, pigs, and chickens—have become fan favourites, adding a personal touch to the series.
In August 2025, Clarkson revealed that one of his cows had tested positive for bovine tuberculosis during a routine six-month screening.
“You sort of become blasé; it’s a hypothetical threat,” he told Times Radio. “And then the vet looks up and says, ‘I’m really sorry, this one’s failed.’ So that means we’re now locked down, and it’s just dreadful, absolutely dreadful.”
The infected cow is pregnant with twins and, under UK law, must be culled to prevent the disease from spreading.
The farm is not shut down. It is, however, under a two-month lockdown, during which no cattle can be bought or sold.
Clarkson has had to convert grain storage barns into temporary cow hospitals, and the disruption has been immense. “You aren’t allowed to operate as a business,” he said.
Adding to the emotional toll, Clarkson also shared that one of his puppies died the same week, and a calf on the farm is suffering from pneumonia. His prized bull Endgame also received an inconclusive test result, leaving fans concerned about his fate.
What Is Bovine Tuberculosis?
Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis. It primarily affects cattle but can also infect other mammals, including badgers, deer, goats, pigs, and even humans—though human transmission is rare in countries like the UK due to pasteurisation and strict health controls.
The disease spreads through:
- Inhalation of infected droplets, especially in enclosed spaces;
- Ingestion of contaminated feed or water;
- Contact with infected animals or contaminated equipment;
- Wildlife reservoirs, particularly badgers, which can shed the bacteria in urine and feces.
Symptoms in cattle include coughing, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, and respiratory distress. However, bTB often progresses slowly and may remain undetected for months, making routine testing essential.
In high-risk areas of England, cattle are tested every six months. If a cow fails the test, it must be culled, and the farm enters lockdown.
In 2024, a total of 21,586 TB-infected cattle were slaughtered in England, marking a seven percent increase compared to the previous year. This rise contrasts with broader trends showing progress in reducing herd-level TB incidence. For example, the 2023 Bovine TB Epidemiology Report recorded 2,461 new TB herd incidents, the lowest number in two decades, and a 17 percent drop from the previous year.
The herd incidence rate—which measures new cases per 1,000 herds tested—fell to 7.3, the lowest since 2007.
Despite the increase in individual cattle culls, the average monthly herd prevalence dropped by 12 percent, suggesting that while outbreaks still occur, they are being contained more effectively, according to the Bovine TB Report.
The UK government has shifted its strategy from badger culling—which we saw on Clarkson’s Farm—to vaccination, with no new intensive culling licenses issued in 2023. However, 29 areas continued culling under existing licenses, and 19 counties implemented badger vaccination programs.
Economic and Emotional Impact
The financial consequences of a bTB outbreak are significant. Farmers face losses from culled animals, halted trade, and increased biosecurity costs. The emotional toll is equally severe, especially when beloved animals are affected.
Clarkson has been candid about the stress—and can frequently be seen sad when one of his animals is culled—and said, “Honestly, farming? I’m not enjoying it this week.”
The outbreak comes on top of a poor harvest season. Clarkson reported that extreme weather, including heatwaves and drought, devastated his crops.
“Our beans died. Our barley yields were dismal. And I won’t grow chickpeas because they are disgusting,” he joked but noted that out of 400,000 beetroots planted, only two grew.
The UK government has implemented several strategies to combat bTB, including:
- Badger culling, which remains controversial;
- Vaccination trials for cattle and wildlife;
- Biosecurity incentives for farmers;
- Improved diagnostics and data sharing.
Scotland has achieved “Officially Tuberculosis Free” status—is that similar to Ireland’s “No More Snakes”?—thanks to rigorous control measures and low incidence rates. In England, however, the disease remains a persistent challenge.
Veterinary associations advocate for a holistic approach that includes empowering farmers with localised data, rewarding good practices, and improving communication between government and vets.
Despite the setback, Clarkson’s visibility and candidness may help raise awareness about the challenges UK farmers face.
His farm shop remains open for custom, and fans are hopeful that Endgame and the rest of the herd will recover.
For now, Clarkson and his team are focused on containment, recovery, and preparing for the next round of tests.
All four season’s of Clarkson’s Farm are available on Amazon Prime.