Is your calf housing ready for an upgrade?
Calf Housing Health and Welfare Grant to open for applications
Good news! We now have detail of Round 1 of the Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure Grants which will offer grants of between £15,000 and £500,000 to help fund large infrastructure projects. The aim of the funding will be to build new or upgrade calf housing to improve social contact and environment. The priorities for the first round of the funding are to.
Improve calf health and welfare
Enhance environmental sustainability
Introduce innovation
The more of the above priorities you meet, the more likely your project will be accepted. We are also pleased to hear that future iterations of the grant funding will be available for adult cattle, pigs and poultry. What funding is available? Minimum - £15,000 (40% of £37,500) Maximum - £500,000 (40% of £1.25 million) Are you eligible? You must be a cattle farmer in England, carrying out farming activity including rearing calves (with 11 or more cattle). You must be the landowner or have a tenancy agreement until 5 years after completion of the project. For tenants, if your agreement ends sooner than 5 years but you are expected to continue, you can still apply. What can the funding be used for? Examples of what the funding can be used for include.
A-Frame buildings
Mono-pitch buildings
Permanent open sided structures such as igloos/ hutches
Any other suitable types of calf housing
All housing must meet the legal requirements for calf housing and be a permanent non-movable structure attached to a foundation. Funding will also be available towards rooftop solar panels for calf housing. Ultimately, the project should deliver;
An ambient environment to help produce health calves that will be resilient and productive in later life;
Provide comfortable temperature with protection from humidity and draughts;
Improve social contact between animals;
and therefore increase overall productivity and benefit your bottom line.
Can you purchase second hand items? Yes. Grant funding can be used for second hand items but the supplier quote must include a statement to confirm it has not previously been purchased with public funding, the item is fit for purpose, the item does not cost more than an equivalent new item and is expected to last for 5 or more years. When to apply Applications will be open in the Summer (date TBC). Application process The application process will be in 3 stages. Stage 1 – Online Checker You will need to the following information for the online checker.
Information about your business (such as type of farmer, legal status, and landowner status)
Information about the project (such as calf space to be provided, building design and interior specification, and environmental impacts)
Information about where the project is located
Information about any required planning permission
An estimate of the total cost of the project
Stage 2 – Ambient Environment Assessment If successful at Stage 1, you will be sent an Ambient Environment Assessment to complete. This will outline details of the design and specification of the proposed housing. Stage 3 – Full Application If successful at Stage 2, you will then be invited to full application. How can you prepare for the application Contact the Kelly Farm Consulting Team for assistance in evaluating your calf housing options and for further support in navigating the application process. The application will also require advice and support from your vet – a letter of confirmation to support the project will be needed at full application. This can be discussed as part of your funded Annual Health and Welfare Review. Apply now for your FREE Annual Health and Welfare Review at the link below! This will fund a free vet visit to discuss the health and welfare priorities of your farm. https://apply-for-an-annual-health-and-welfare-review.defra.gov.uk/apply/start
Charlie Davies
07904 601104
Laura Cureton
07399 117257
Sam Kelly
07777 696080
Office 01454 614624