I have had a good look at the cows and I'm fairly sure that the lumps are sheep ticks. The sort of vegetation at Hazeley would make their appearance fairly common, and they tend to get them around the head as they graze with their heads in the grass. The grazier should have had them vaccinated against lymes disease and other illnesses associated with ticks, but when he checks on them I'm sure he will let me know whether he thinks it is a problem. The ticks should just drop off when they are full, and the cows don't seem bothered by them.

Having said this I'm not 100% sure they are sheep ticks, so Hilary when your next down there could you have a quick look please?

Thanks, Leigh