Our emergency fund is here to support you if extreme weather events, accident or illness, or certain animal disease outbreaks, affects your farming business. Over the last two decades, we have provided disaster relief during outbreaks of Foot and Mouth, Swine Fever and during extreme weather events.
You can count on us when disaster strikes, we can send essential commodities to your farm via a network of fully approved suppliers. We will ensure you have those all-important supplies of compound feeds, silage, hay, straw and straights through our Forage Aid scheme.
By helping in this way, we can relieve pressure on hardworking farmers and protect animal welfare.
Emergency Grants
Our Forage Aid Scheme provides short-term support to farmers in England and Wales who hold a SBI and Defra holding number.
If you’re struggling to feed your livestock due to extreme weather, accident, or illness, we may be able to help with a one-off grant to prevent your animals from suffering because of a lack of feed or bedding—where genuine hardship is evident.
Priority is given to those most in need.
We offer one-off grants of up to £3,000 to the most vulnerable applicants. To apply, please complete and return the application form below along with the requested supporting information. We’ll review your application and contact you as soon as possible to confirm if we can assist.
Supporting Farmers in Times of Emergency
We provide help to working farmers facing hardship due to severe weather, animal disease that prevents trading, or unexpected emergencies such as illness, bereavement, or accident.
We understand that during these times, your priority is caring for your animals. However, sudden circumstances can create temporary cash flow problems, making it difficult to feed your livestock.
Are You Eligible?
You may qualify if:
You are a working farmer, and your main income comes from farming an agricultural holding.
You are experiencing hardship due to an emergency situation beyond your control.
You cannot resolve the issue through normal business practices, such as selling store animals or using reserves, savings, or overdraft facilities.
Please note:
We cannot assist with loss or reduction of income caused by market forces.
We do not provide grants to cover business debts.
Grants are usually provided in the form of feed or forage delivered directly to your farm.
All grants are awarded at the discretion of our trustees, with priority given to those in greatest need. Unfortunately, we cannot help everyone, so please describe your situation as clearly as possible when applying.
If your circumstances don’t fully match the criteria above, we may still be able to help. Please contact us to discuss your situation before submitting an application.
Read our FAQs page for more examples on how we can help. We regret that we cannot assist you with long term business debts or problems caused by low prices for farm produce.
If you do not meet our grant criteria you may be able to access support from:
The Royal Countryside Fund - Farm for the Future is a FREE business and environment programme which will help you tackle any challenges you face and grasp the opportunities on offer linked to the agricultural transition.
FCN supports farmers with practical and pastoral support. Farmwell is a one stop resource to help you and your farm business stay strong and resilient. For mental health support, practical and pastoral guidance, please contact FCN - 03000 111 999 (open 7am to 11pm)
RABI provides support to the farming community across England and Wales. Support is provided to those who are currently working in agriculture and those who are no longer working due to illness, injury, disability or age.
