FARMING households across Herefordshire will be able to apply for grants of £2,000 to help ease financial pressures caused by prolonged dry conditions.

RABI, the Farmers Charity, has included Herefordshire in the Midlands phase of its £2 million Emergency Drought Grant campaign, which is providing financial support to farmers affected by this year's dry weather.

Applications for the Midlands round will open at noon on Monday, October 5, with up to £400,000 available to eligible farming households across the region.

Applications are scheduled to close at 3pm on Friday, October 9, although RABI has warned the scheme could close earlier if all available funding is committed.

Farm owners and tenant farmers whose principal farming business is in an area officially designated as being in drought can apply for a fixed £2,000 grant.

The money is intended to help with personal and household living costs rather than compensate farmers for business losses or additional running costs.

The charity said low spring rainfall followed by prolonged dry conditions throughout the summer had increased financial pressures on farming families.

Spring 2026 was the warmest on record for both England and Wales, while England received just 65 per cent of its average rainfall.

Farmers have faced additional challenges including supporting livestock through dry conditions, restricted irrigation, earlier harvests and lower yields.

Alicia Chivers, chief executive at RABI, said: “The impact of prolonged dry conditions has placed additional financial pressure on many farming households, with the effects continuing to be felt across the sector.

“RABI's £2 million Emergency Drought Grant is about providing practical support directly to farming people when they need it.

“As we continue the regional rollout of the grant, we remain committed to helping farming households with essential living costs and supporting the farming community through periods of financial pressure.”

She encouraged eligible farmers to apply when applications opened and reminded people that RABI's wider support services remained available.

The Herefordshire scheme forms part of the fifth and final regional phase of the campaign.

Previous rounds have covered the South West, Wales and South East, while applications for the East of England opened on September 28.

Up to 200 grants are available in each regional wave, with a maximum of one £2,000 payment available to each applicant.

The campaign is being rolled out across five regional phases, with up to £400,000 allocated to each area and as many as 200 grants available during every wave.

RABI said the payments were designed to offer support as farming families headed into colder months following a difficult spring and summer.

The charity has supported farming people since 1860 and provides financial, practical and emotional assistance across England and Wales, including benefits guidance, mental health support and community wellbeing services.

Successful applicants will receive the money directly to help manage day-to-day household expenses during the autumn and winter.

Applications can be made through RABI's website from October 5.

Farmers needing additional support can also contact the charity's free and confidential 24-hour helpline on 0800 188 4444.

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