Farmers encouraged to apply for FETF amid next week’s deadline
10th April 2024
Farmers and horticulture growers are being encouraged to apply for a grant through Defra’s Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) before the final deadline.
The FETF provides grants that go towards the cost of equipment and technology that support improvements in productivity, slurry management and animal health and welfare.
Successful applicants will receive a grant of:
- a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £50,000 towards productivity items (deadline 17th April 2024)
- a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £50,000 towards slurry items (deadline 17th April 2024)
- a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £25,000 towards animal health and welfare items (deadline 1st May 2024)
Read the full list of items that horticulture farmers and growers can apply for here.
Demystifying the application process
Farmers are also invited to attend a free webinar that aims to demystify the application process.
BOFIN, The British On-Farm Innovation Network, will host a webinar on Thursday 11th April at 5pm to provide guidance on how farmers can secure funding for cutting edge equipment such as the Redekop Seed Control Unit (SCU).
Tom Allen-Stevens, BOFIN founder, said: “Over the past two years, the Harvest Weed Seed Control (HWSC) project has been working with scientists at NIAB, UK farmers, and Seed Scouts to compile grassweed data for analysis in the UK’s first ever farmer-led survey of grassweeds left standing at harvest,
“From the results obtained by our Seed Scouts and four UK farmers completing on-farm trials with the Redekop SCU, we have been able to identify the potential value of the SCU in helping farmers tackle grassweeds.
“We are therefore very excited that the Redekop SCU has been included as part of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2024.”
Securing a grant for the Redekop SCU through the FETF would provide farmers with as much as 60% of the total cost, saving them around £35,000.
Free webinar
Carter Jonas partner James Bradley, who has prepared and submitted many applications on behalf of farmers and landowners, will talk attendees through the FETF and be on hand to answer any questions attendees may have about the funding application.
Joining him will be Trevor Thiessen, co-owner and president at Redekop Manufacturing, who will provide further insight into the SCU.
Keith Challen, farm manager at Belvoir Farming Company, will discuss his direct involvement in the HWSC project and his experience using the Redekop SCU.
John Cussans, weed biology and management specialist at NIAB, will also present the final results from the HWSC project.
Register for the free webinar here.
A Q&A about the FETF can be found here.
Read more grants and funding articles.
