Dartington Cattle Breeding Trust

The Dartington Cattle Breeding Trust, established in 1948 as the Dartington Hall Cattle Breeding Centre by Leonard Elmhirst and Sir George Hayter-Hames, is a UK-registered charitable trust dedicated to advancing livestock health, welfare, breeding, and agricultural education. Originally focused on promoting the South Devon cattle breed and artificial insemination in South Devon and Cornwall, it has evolved into a targeted philanthropic funder emphasizing research, practical knowledge-sharing, vocational training, and support for new entrants into livestock farming. Governed by quarterly trustee meetings from its base in Totnes, Devon, the Trust upholds values of public benefit through tangible improvements in UK livestock quality, prioritizing the sector in Great Britain with a strong South West England focus.

It funds livestock-specific initiatives including educational bursaries for degree- and diploma-level students intending careers in livestock production (capped at £4,000 lifetime per individual), research projects on breeding and welfare, capital grants, vocational training, travel scholarships (e.g., Nuffield Farming Scholars), rural youth programmes (via partners like Young Farmers Clubs and Devon YFC), farm health events, and conferences. Beneficiaries encompass students, early-career farmers, agricultural colleges, and small charities delivering practical education and innovation dissemination.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and academic institutions, with no strict income thresholds but preference for smaller, sector-specific entities; bursaries and training require Devon/Cornwall residency, while research grants extend UK-wide if benefiting livestock. Unsolicited applications are welcomed via email (admin@dartingtoncbt.co.uk) using website forms—initial outlines advised for research/capital grants—with decisions post-quarterly meetings (1-3 months). Typical grants range £2,000-£50,000 (annual total ~£50,000-£99,000); next bursary deadline is 31 March 2025.

Distinctively sector-specialist, it avoids unrestricted/core funding or non-livestock activities, uniquely blending cattle breeding legacy with capacity-building for South West farming communities through trusted local partners.