Livestock: County Funding
The Fulda District provides support to livestock farmers in the district and the city of Fulda who raise cattle, pigs, horses, sheep, or goats. The funding is intended to help improve the economic viability of these farms by enhancing the productivity and health of their livestock in the region.
The minimum net price for cattle is 1,000 euros per animal.
For pigs, sheep, and goats, it is at least 250 euros per animal.
Animals purchased from outside the herd should come only from farms in Hesse. However, the purchase of elite animals from other federal states is permitted. Purchased animals must come from a recognized breeding farm or breeding operation. The relevant documentation (invoice and corresponding ear tags) must be provided.
In the case of dairy cattle, farms must be members of the HVL (Hessian Association for Performance and Quality Testing in Animal Breeding, e. V.).
Table: Overview of Net Prices
Type of Business
Size class
Minimum Purchase
Lump-sum amount
Cattle Farming
up to 50 cows
3 breeding animals or
1 male animal250 €
200 €51–100 cows
7 breeding animals or
1 male animal500 €
200 €more than 100 cows
12 breeding animals or
1 male animal750 €
200 €Pig Breeding
up to 60 breeding pigs
6 breeding animals or
1 male animal250 €
100 €61 – 120
18 breeding animals or
1 male animal500 €
100 €over 120
30 breeding animals or
1 male animal750 €
100 €Sheep Breeding
up to 25 breeding sheep
3 breeding ewes or
1 breeding ram100 €
80 €up to 100 breeding sheep
10 breeding ewes or
1 breeding ram200 €
80 €more than 100 breeding sheep
15 breeding ewes or
1 breeding ram300 €
80 €Goat Breeding
up to 20 breeding goats
2 breeding goats or
1 breeding billy goat80 €
100 €more than 20 breeding goats
5 breeding goats or
1 breeding billy goat150 €
100 €Horse Breeding
Breeding incentives are awarded for presenting animals at central mare registry entries and foal shows. Only animals registered with a horse breeding association are eligible for funding. The subsidy amount is 30 euros per animal for three- and four-year-old mares (registered in the mare registry) and 30 euros per foal for broodmares with foals.
Apply for Funding
First, breeding animals are purchased from livestock farmers at breeding operations recognized by the state of Hesse and picked up. Afterward, the application—including the invoice and additional information such as the type of animal (bull or female), animal category, and minimum price—must be submitted by March 31 of the following year at the latest. This is a strict deadline; therefore, an extension is not possible.