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  "path": "/2026/04/14/equipment-and-technology-funding-deadline-reminder/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-14T13:32:33.000Z",
  "site": "https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Philip Halling",
    "The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF)",
    "Read their case study.",
    "List of productivity items",
    "List of animal health and welfare items",
    "List of slurry management items",
    "The FETF 2026 guidance is available on GOV.UK"
  ],
  "textContent": "A lamb creep feeder with shelter (item FETF238A). This item is eligible for funding under the animal health and welfare theme of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. Credit: Philip Halling\n\nInvesting in new equipment or technology can make a real difference to farm businesses.\n\nThe Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) (FETF 2026) is designed to help make those investments more accessible.\n\nThe window to apply closes at midday on 28 April 2026. If you are planning to invest in equipment or technology for your business this year, apply now.\n\n## Available funding and themes\n\nThrough FETF 2026, £50 million is available to help farmers, growers, foresters and contractors invest in equipment and technology.\n\nFunding is divided between 3 themes: productivity, animal health and welfare, and slurry management.\n\nEach theme includes a list of eligible items you can apply for.\n\n### Productivity\n\nAn irrigation controller for rain guns (item FETF415) helps automate and control how water is applied to crops. Photo supplied by grant recipient E C & S J Alton. Read their case study.\n\nThe productivity theme includes a wide range of equipment and technology to help improve efficiency and reduce input costs across different types of farm businesses.\n\nFor example, you can apply for funding towards camera-guided inter-row sprayers, which target weeds more precisely, reducing chemical use and input costs.\n\nThere is also support for rainwater harvesting tanks, which collect and store rainfall for use on farm, lowering reliance on mains or abstracted water and helping build resilience during periods of drought.\n\nYou can also apply for items such as robotic silage pushers, which automatically move feed towards livestock throughout the day, improving feed access and reducing waste.\n\nUnder this theme, £20 million is available.\n\nList of productivity items.\n\n### Animal health and welfare\n\nAutomatic weighing and drafting crates (item FETF72) help farmers manage livestock more accurately. It also saves time and reduces the need for manual handling. Overall, it makes livestock management quicker, more precise and less stressful for both animals and handlers. Photo supplied by grant recipient N L Pugh and Co. Read their case study.\n\nThe animal health and welfare theme includes a wide range of equipment to support better livestock management.\n\nFor example, you can apply for funding towards mobile sheep handling systems, which make it easier to gather, handle and treat animals in the field.\n\nThere is also support for hydraulic or pneumatic cattle crushes, which help improve safety for both farmers and livestock during handling.\n\nYou can also apply for smaller items, such as static cow brushes, which support animal comfort and day-to-day welfare in housed systems.\n\nUnder this theme, £20 million is available.\n\nList of animal health and welfare items.\n\n### Slurry management\n\nA slurry chopper pump (item FETF203) helps by making slurry easier to handle, move and apply. It works by chopping up fibrous material and mixing the slurry so it has a more even consistency. Photo supplied by grant recipient Aplins Farm Ltd. Read their case study.\n\nThe slurry management theme includes equipment to help improve how slurry is collected, stored and applied.\n\nFor example, you can apply for funding towards robotic slurry collectors, which automatically remove slurry from livestock housing, improving hygiene and reducing labour.\n\nThere is also support for mobile slurry separators, which process slurry into solid and liquid fractions, making it easier to store, transport and make better use of nutrients. This can help to reduce reliance on bought-in fertilisers.\n\nYou can also apply for items such as low-emission spreading equipment, including dribble bars, which apply slurry closer to the ground to reduce ammonia emissions and improve nutrient uptake by crops, further increasing the value of slurry as an alternative to synthetic fertilisers.\n\nUnder this theme, £10 million is available.\n\nList of slurry management items.\n\n## Funding, guidance and how to apply\n\nYou can apply for grants between £1,000 and £25,000 per theme. If you apply across all 3 themes, you can receive up to £75,000 in total.\n\nThis is the final standalone round of FETF in its current format.\n\nWe are reviewing how some innovative equipment may continue to be supported from 2027 through a simpler, more streamlined grant offer.\n\nThe FETF 2026 guidance is available on GOV.UK. This includes eligibility criteria and how to apply.\n\nWatch the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2026 webinar.\n\nThe Rural Payments Agency (RPA) also produced a series of videos on how to apply.",
  "title": "Equipment and technology funding: deadline reminder",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-14T13:32:33.000Z"
}