What government grants can farmers apply for now?
19th March 2024
As the government opens up new rounds of FETF funding this spring, we take a look at what farmers can apply for now, as well as future dates to keep in the diary.
Farmers can now apply for productivity and slurry management grants through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2024. Grants for animal health and welfare items are due to become available later this month.
The grants pay a percentage of the cost of certain items from pre-set lists. You can apply for one grant from each of the three themes – the fund is competitive.
FETF: Productivity grants
This supports the purchase of specific equipment, technology, and small infrastructure investments aimed at quickly improving farm performance, including investments that will help farmers use less inputs, reduce emissions, and cut waste.
How much can you apply for? You can apply for a grant between £1,000–50,000 towards productivity equipment.
When is it available? You can apply from now till 17th April. There are multiple application windows.
Slurry management
This provides smaller value grants towards the cost of items from a prescribed list, to help farmers manage their slurry better and reduce pollution of water and air.
How much can you apply for? You can apply for a grant between £1,000–50,000.
When can you apply? You can apply now until 17th April. There are multiple application windows.
Improving Farm Productivity grant (round 2)
This grant is for innovative farming equipment that increases productivity and improves the environment.
How much can you apply for?
- £25,000–500,000 for robotic and automated equipment and systems (50% intervention rate)
- £15,000–100,000 for solar equipment (25% intervention rate)
- £500,000 is the maximum offer.
When can you apply? You can apply now. The first stage of the application process, the online checker, is now open to make an initial online application. The checker will close for applications at 11:59pm on 21st March 2024.
Animal health and welfare review
Farmers who keep cattle, sheep and pigs can still apply for funding for a vet to visit their farm and carry out a health and welfare review of their livestock. Eligibility criteria and funding amount is as follows:
- 11 or more beef cattle – £522
- 11 or more dairy cattle – £372
- 21 or more sheep – £436
- 51 or more pigs – £684.
Later this year there will also be further opportunities to apply for the Slurry Infrastructure Grant; round three of the Water Management Grant; and the FETF Animal Health & Welfare grant.
Farming grants coming soon
Laying Hen Housing for Health And Welfare
This grant will offer funding for laying hen and pullet farmers to refurbish or replace (with new) existing laying hen and pullet housing. This includes specific funding to retrofit verandas onto existing buildings.
The grant aims to improve poultry health and welfare and support innovation, productivity and environmental sustainability. Funding will also be available for installing rooftop solar panels on funded housing. The funding amount available is to be confirmed.
When does it open? The online checker will open in spring-summer 2024.
Cattle Housing for Health and Welfare
This grant will fund upgrades to housing for cattle aged six months+, to improve cattle health and welfare and support innovation, productivity and environmental sustainability. Funding amount is to be confirmed.
When can you apply? Online checker opens in autumn 2024.
Other farming grants coming in 2024
Farming Innovation Programme 2024:
- Farming Futures R&D – nutrient management: Spring 2024 and autumn 2024
- Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT): Summer 2024
- Small R&D Partnerships (Round 4): Autumn 2024
- Feasibility Studies (Round 4): Autumn 2024
- Farming Futures R&D – Net Zero Farming: Autumn 2024.
More information on how to apply.
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