Defra has announced that a further £10 million is being available to cattle farmers in England to help them replace ageing buildings with new facilities.
The Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure Grant will allocate sums from £15,000 to £500,000, prioritising new and upgraded calf housing to improve conditions and boost productivity.
Farmers will also be able to access funding for roof-top solar panels on calf housing, fulfilling commitments made at the Farm to Fork Summit and enabling them to improve thermal insulation while providing low-cost energy.
An additional £19 million has been awarded to more than 3,000 pig, poultry, sheep and cattle farmers who successfully applied to the first round of the Animal Health and Welfare Equipment and Technology Grant.
Farming Minister Mark Spencer said: “Our animal health and welfare grants are helping farmers improve conditions for their livestock. Not only is that good for the animals, it’s also a way to improve productivity and help them be more profitable.
“It’s great to see such enthusiasm for these grants, with over 3,000 farmers receiving money through the Equipment and Technology Grant from today, and many more set to benefit with our investment in new and upgraded calf housing through our brand new Infrastructure Grant.”