A new grant for Calf Housing has just been unveiled by DEFRA.
A grant to either build new, upgrade, or replace existing calf housing buildings has just been unveiled, with the aim of delivering health and welfare benefits for calves (domestic cattle up to 6 months).
Grant funded calf housing must provide a good ambient environment and facilitate social contact through pair or group housing. This includes controlling factors such as air quality, temperature and humidity.
You can apply for the grant if you’re an existing cattle farmer in England carrying out farming activity, including calf rearing, with 11 or more cattle. To apply, applicants will also need to discuss their project with a vet and obtain a letter of confirmation from them. This has to be included upon application.
Grants between £15,000 – £500,000 can be awarded.
The application process
The online checker gathers information about business type, the project, location, required planning permissions and an estimate of the total cost. Brief details of the calf space to be provided, the building design and environmental impacts will need to be provided.
If your project scores well enough against the funding priorities at Stage 1, you’ll be sent an Ambient Environment Assessment (AEA) form to complete. This goes into further detail of the design and specification of the calf housing project. Site photographs, plans detailing dimensions and material use, mechanical ventilation specifications (if fitted) and calf information will all be requested at this stage.
Finally, if your AEA details are satisfactory, you will be invited to make a full application. At this stage, you will need to provide information on: your business, a breakdown of project costs, supplier details, project milestones, how the project will be funded, site plans, evidence of prevailing wind direction, scale plans and existing and future calf numbers. Supporting documents that cover tenancy agreements (if applicable), financial accounts, planning approval, quotes, supplier guarantees and the vet letter will also be required at this stage.
Once all 3 stages have been completed, the RPA aim to let applicants know within 60 days whether they have been successful, at which point Grant Funding Agreements (GFA) will be sent out.
Further details on the minimum specifications for calf housing can be found here.
Applications are due to open in late Summer. If you would like any more information or are interested in applying for the grant, please contact Rebecca at rebecca@jaagriculture.co.uk.
