Dear Editor

MANY farmers are currently facing fodder shortages and flooding, serious problems that impact on their ability to feed animals and plant crops.

In some regions, persistent and heavy rains have followed on swiftly from extreme snowfalls – and to make matters worse, the weather-related problems came whilst many were in the midst of lambing and calving.  

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I) has been around since 1860 and is farming’s oldest and largest welfare charity. In 2017, we gave out grants of close to £2 million to people of all ages in financial need.

We have welfare officers across England and Wales who understand the current difficulties. Our welfare officer for Northumberland and Durham, for example, recently reported that many people in his area had lost sheep in snow drifts and were dreading the prospect of lambing. Numbers are likely to be down, which will have a knock-on effect later in the year when they come to sell their stock. It’s been a long, wet winter and the grass hasn’t started to grow yet.

That means there could be extra feed costs, an expense farmers wouldn’t normally expect to have at this time of year.

We know from our welfare team on the ground that many in the industry – from different sectors and in various parts of the UK – are anxious about the effects of weather-related problems.

During a crisis, R.A.B.I can help those in financial hardship by providing grants for immediate domestic and household expenses. While we cannot help specifically with business costs, if the harsh winter has left you, or someone you know who works in farming, unable to pay household bills please call our confidential Freephone Helpline number 0808 281 9490.

Paul Burrows

R.A.B.I Chief Executive

Oxford