Farm fears closure over hay shortage and rising cost

A manager at a charity farm attraction in Leicester has said he fears for its future due to a shortage of hay and its rising costs.

Dayle Lefort, of Gorse Hill City Farm in Anstey Lane, said an "incredibly dry summer" had meant there was less hay available nationally and, as a result, prices had more than doubled.

Lefort said the farm, which celebrated 40 years last month, was struggling to meet demand for hay to feed more than 100 animals and it could be forced to close if the problem persisted.

He said the charity was "desperate" to get through the winter and reluctantly made an online appeal for hay or cash donations to buy about 200 bales.

Hay is grass that has been dried over the summer months to use as winter animal feed. Due to the drought in summer 2025, less hay was made causing the price to rise.

According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, a large bale of hay cost £73 per tonne in December 2024. The same bale would now cost £131 per tonne.

Gorse Hill City Farm, which was established on 26 December 1985 and has up to 200 volunteers, has a range of animals, including cows, alpacas, ponies, donkeys and guinea pigs.

Through a volunteer programme, it also helps young people learn about farming and teaches animal care skills.

Lefort, who started as a volunteer with the farm 11 years ago, said the charity currently needed up to six bales every day for food and to keep the animals warm and content, adding without enough hay they will become "very poorly".

He said its hay supplier, in Leicestershire, had limited stock last September and later sold out.

"We've been desperate and have been ringing around trying to get hay from anywhere we can," he said.

"Unfortunately, it's a dog-eat-dog situation.

"I'm really worried and I've had a lot of sleepless nights."

Lefort, 31, said each bale used to cost £4.50, but could now cost up to £10.50.

"We've had to cut back to the lowest we can," he said.

"We have four cows and they need the most, some days they go through four bales.

"If we can't get enough hay, we'll have to sell the cows but as a last resort.

"They're an important part of the farm and my favourite, but we'll have no choice."

On Tuesday, the farm made an appeal for the first time, specifically for donations of hay or money towards bales, with an aim of buying about 200.

Lefort said: "We solely rely on footfall for income and that goes towards paying for animal feed, and it's a struggle over the winter.

"It's difficult to ask for help, but we need to fight for as much hay as possible.

"If we can't get enough and it carries on, we might have to close and that would be devastating and a big blow for the community."

However, he said the support the farm had received since the appeal was "amazing", adding the charity was "grateful".

"We've got to get through the winter and hopefully the spring will bring better weather," he said.

Lefort added the farm was also "working hard" to get grants to help with rising running costs.

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.