Following an appeal by the ICBF for farmers to report calves born with any genetic defect, dozens of unusual cases were reported to geneticist Dr Jennifer McClure this year.

While atresia (water belly or no back passage) and limb deformities were the most common calf defects, a number of calves with eye problems were reported.

They included one calf with abnormally placed eyes, one higher than the other, three calves born without any eyes at all and five animals had progressive blindness.

There was also a calf, pictured here, born with no eyelids whatsoever.

Without any eyelids for protection and lubrication, the calf’s eyes began to dry out and it was humanely put down within hours to prevent it suffering.

It is the first case of missing eyelids that Dr McClure has seen.

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