Forage Aid Emergency Livestock Feed and Bedding Support

Forage Aid, now part of Addington Fund, helps UK farmers whose feed or bedding supply has been disrupted by extreme weather by sourcing and distributing feed and bedding with the help of donations from the farming community. The program supports farmers facing a clear and present risk of livestock suffering due to extreme weather conditions such as flooding, heavy snow, or other weather-related crises. Established by farmers in 2013, Forage Aid has helped over 150 farms across the UK by sourcing and coordinating more than £850,000 worth of goods and services donated by fellow farmers, businesses, and other charities. The organization provides emergency assistance in the form of silage, hay, straw, and other essential livestock supplies when farmers' own supplies have been destroyed or made inaccessible by extreme weather events. Forage Aid operates as a farmer-to-farmer mutual aid network, where those in need can receive support from the wider farming community. Eligibility requires farmers to hold a Defra holding number and face immediate livestock welfare concerns due to weather-related emergencies. The program has successfully supported farmers affected by events such as the Somerset Levels flooding and severe winter weather across various UK regions.