Farming Equipment & Technology Fund 2024

On 20^th February 2024, Defra announced further details on the 2024 Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF). With the application window due to open shortly, further information regarding the items due to be funded has been released.

This will not be the first time that the FETF has been available, and many features of the grant are similar to previous rounds. For example, grant funding is allocated at a set rate per eligible item. However, this year, the funding will be split into three distinct categories, with the maximum grant amounts also increased:

• • Productivity (maximum grant amount £50,000)

• • Slurry Management (maximum grant amount £50,000)

• • Animal Health and Welfare Equipment (maximum grant amount £25,000)

Productivity Items

As the FETF is a competitive grant, applications are scored based on productivity benefit, environmental benefit, and level of adoption by the industry. There are 85 productivity items to choose from, 24 of which are new this year including:

• • Tractor powered electric desiccator for weed and plant control

• • Combine mounted weed seed reduction system

• • Drone for spraying whitewash onto glass houses

• • Closed transfer system for sprayers for containers

• • Solar powered water pump

• • Mobile tractor powered livestock total feed ration mixer

• • Forestry harvesting head with bark stripping

Slurry Items

This year there will be 17 slurry items available under this category. Applications will be scored based on improving slurry management, environmental benefit and level of adoption by the industry. Popular items will continue to be funded including:

• • Robotic slurry collectors

• • Flow rate monitoring equipment

• • Low emission slurry spreaders

Animal Health and Welfare

The largest of the three is the animal health and welfare category with more than 130 items to be funded this year. Applications for this category will be scored on their contribution to the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway priorities. Evidence that the application has been discussed with a vet could increase the application score by 20%.

This could be arranged via the Annual Health and Welfare Review which provides the opportunity to have a fully funded vet visit before applying for the FETF. A few examples of items within this category include:

• • Mobile sheep handling system

• • Cattle crush

• • Automated foot baths for cattle

• • Outdoor calf accommodation

To discuss how the FETF could work for your rural business, then please get in touch. We’ll be happy to provide our expert advice on your grant opportunities.