Veterinary doses for 400 cows and 300 calves were stolen by intruders who broke into Bill Carroll’s Mile Tree Farm close to Clonmel in Co Tipperary.

Almost €5,000 worth of tools, veterinary supplies and farm equipment was taken from the former Glanbia director’s farm between 10pm on Thursday 21 June and 5.30am on Friday 22 June.

Farm manager Graham Swanton told the Irish Farmers Journal that he arrived at the farm for milking at 5.30am on Friday 22 June to discover that the farm’s road gates were damaged and open.

There was enough Eprinex to do about 400 cows and Noromectin for about 300 calves

After getting the gates open, the intruders attempted to gain access to the dairy store but could not get in the PVC door and instead got in through the window.

The thieves took a three-phase power washer, as well as 20 litres of Eprinex and seven litres of Noromectin pour-on that had only been bought the day before.

Stolen items

“There was enough Eprinex to do about 400 cows and Noromectin for about 300 calves,” Swanton said. “The power washer was on loan to us while we got our own one fixed.”

The thieves also took an electric cattle clippers and miscellaneous tools including spanners and a drill.

“They got about €4,700 worth of stuff in all, with the power washer and the veterinary stuff making up most of it,” Swanton added.

“I was sick when I got to the yard and saw what had happened,” said the farm manager. “It’s very frustrating that people can come in and steal from the farm.”

Tumble dryer

Bizarrely, the thieves also made off with a tumble dryer used by the Mile Tree Farm workers for drying off their clothes after milking in the adjacent parlour.

This is the second break-in on Mile Tree Farm, after a quad was stolen around six years ago.

Gardaí from Clonmel are investigating the incident.

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