The runner-up of the simple category of the 2023 Farmers Weekly Inventions Competition is Marcus Smith with his badger-proof trough.

On a mission to reduce the risk of bovine TB transfer to his suckler herd, Mr Smith, from Melton Mowbray, designed a water trough that can’t be used by badgers.

Because it needed to be suitable for both cows and calves, simply raising the height wasn’t an option. So, instead, he added steel rollers on either side to prevent badgers being able to get a grip and reach up.

See also: 4 farmers’ badger-proofing inventions help cut TB risk

Before settling on the final design, he experimented with different sized rollers and used a wildlife camera to watch badgers’ responses.

With a 50mm roller, they could grab hold and still gain access to the trough, but when he increased them to 100mm they were forced to give up.

His vet is already noticing a difference, with a reduction in skin test reactions since they have been installed. Buoyed by this success, he has modified his creep feeders in a similar way.