Further funding has recently been made available to cattle farmers in England. The new £10 million Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure Grant set out by DEFRA now allows cattle farmers with over 10 cattle to apply for a grant of between £15,000 and £500,000 to co-finance improvements to farm buildings used for calf housing.

The aim is that buildings built or upgraded under the grant will deliver health and welfare benefits for calves up to the age of 6 months. The grant can pay for the capital costs to build new, upgrade, or replace existing calf housing buildings such as:

• A-frame buildings with 4 walls
• Mono-pitch buildings with 3 walls and one open side
• Permanent open-sided structures with igloos or hutches
• Other types of building that do not fit the above categories.

In addition to this, farmers are also able to access funding for roof top solar panels on calf housing buildings providing both improved thermal insulation and lower energy costs for calf housing.

Before applying, you need to discuss your project with a vet and include a letter of confirmation in your full application. The building must be in situ for a minimum of 5 years.

Grants can cover up to a maximum rate of:

• 40% of the eligible costs of a project OR
• 25% if rooftop solar PV panels are included as part of your project.

You can claim the grant payment after the work is finished and has been paid for. The RPA have indicated that similar grants will become available in due course for adult cattle, pig and poultry housing.

If you would like to discuss this grant in greater detail, please speak to a member of the Agricultural Team on 01832 732241.