Supplies of animal feed and bedding purchased with donations from members of agricultural purchasing group Anglia Farmers (AF) are now starting to make their way to flood-hit farmers in the south west.
AF members have donated more than £25,000 to the appeal and given thousands of pounds worth of feed and bedding.
The much-needed supplies from this appeal are now starting to roll into Somerset again, after temporarily being put on hold until the local livestock market could prepare to take deliveries.
AF Feed and Raw materials manager, Phil Garnham said: “The generosity shown by our members and suppliers in responding to the appeal has been extraordinary and taking additional donations of fodder beet, straw and haulage into account, the true value has to amount to at least £50,000. We hope that this will prove invaluable in helping Somerset’s farms recover.”
The appeal was issued to AF members on 11 February, initially asking for donations towards a delivery of a single load of fodder beet to Sedgemoor Livestock Market in Somerset. Within hours, the amount needed for a single load was exceeded and members continued to donate.
Such was the response to the nationwide appeal that deliveries had to be put on hold because there was no more room at Sedgemoor Livestock market.
“We have recently been given the green light to commence deliveries again, which will take place over the next couple of months. We are most grateful for the patience of all our members who were kind enough to donate,” said Phil.
“We are contributing £1,500 to go towards a grass seed collection from various seed manufacturers to enable Somerset farmers to have something to drill for grass next year. This is being organised by specialist grass seed grower and well-known Norfolk farmer, David Hill, who is an AF member.
“We are also speaking to the NFU in the south west to find out what will be most useful to affected farmers. We hope to make a real difference because, as the UK’s largest agricultural buying group and with the excellent support of our suppliers, AF is in a unique position to buy more supplies and equipment for the money,” Garnham said.
