The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025 (FETF) is set to open for applications on 29 May, and the government has published guidance to help farmers prepare for the application process.
Overview of FETF
The FETF provides grants for machinery, equipment, and technology items aimed at reducing costs and boosting efficiency on farms. Funding is available under three themes:
- Productivity
- Slurry Management
- Animal Health and Welfare
Items are grouped into these themes to make it easier for farmers to find relevant equipment. However, farmers are encouraged to explore all themes, as there may be useful items outside their primary area of interest.
Grant details
Grants will range from £1,000 to a maximum of £25,000 per theme. The fund is competitive, and each theme has specific scoring rules to ensure public money is used effectively. The application window opens on 29 May and closes at midday on 10 July. After the window closes, all applications will be reviewed and scored. It is important to note that applicants may not receive all – or any – of the funding they apply for.
In total, £46.7 million will be available for farmers, growers, foresters, and their contractors:
- £30 million will support the Productivity and Slurry Management themes.
- £16.7 million will support the Animal Health and Welfare theme.
Productivity
This grant aims to boost farm efficiency and profitability. There are 66 different items of productivity equipment eligible for grants. Popular items include:
- Tractor-powered electric desiccators for weed control (e-weeders)
- Robotic drill and guided hoe
- Inter-row hoes and weeders
- Rainwater harvesting tanks
- Camera-guided inter-row sprayers
- Robotic silage pushers
Applications for productivity items are scored based on their impact on productivity, environmental benefits, and industry adoption. Applications are more likely to be successful if the Single Business Identifier (SBI) has not claimed more than £10,000 of productivity and slurry management funding from previous FETF rounds, but this criterion only applies if the fund is oversubscribed.
Slurry Management
This grant focuses on improving the collection, storage, testing, and spreading of slurry. Better slurry management enhances soil health, water and air quality, and maximizes nutrient use, benefiting both nature and farm profitability. There are 17 different slurry equipment items eligible for grants. Popular items include:
- Robotic slurry collectors
- Flow rate monitoring equipment
- Low-emission slurry spreaders such as dribble bars
Applications for slurry management items are scored based on their impact on slurry management, environmental benefits, and industry adoption. Similar to the productivity theme, applications are more likely to be successful if the SBI has not claimed more than £10,000 from previous FETF rounds, applicable only if oversubscribed.
Animal Health and Welfare
This grant aims to improve livestock health and welfare, leading to higher productivity, better quality, and more reliable food production, ultimately increasing farm profits. Grants are available to commercial farmers who keep pigs, sheep, dairy cows, beef cattle, layer chickens, or broilers. There are over 100 eligible items, including:
- Piglet creeps
- Mobile cattle and sheep handling systems
- Cooling systems for poultry housing
The list of items has been developed in collaboration with farmers, vets, academics, and industry groups to address issues such as heat stress and biosecurity risks. Applications can increase their score by 20% if evidence is provided that the application has been discussed with a vet. This supports conversations with vets who can help identify the best ways to improve health and welfare on farms and suggest suitable equipment. Farmers can take advantage of the funded vet visit through the Animal Health and Welfare Review.
Simplify your FETF application with AssetSphere
The detailed specifications for all items under each theme are available on the new Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025 page of the GOV.UK website. Farmers are encouraged to review these specifications and prepare their applications accordingly. Links to apply will be updated on GOV.UK once the application window opens.
Navigating the application process for the FETF can be complex. AssetSphere’s team can offer expert guidance and support to help you prepare and submit a successful application. We can assist you identify the most suitable equipment for your farm, ensure your application meets all criteria, and maximise your chances of securing funding.