Farming Equipment and Technology Fund

Your Guide to FETF Grants

Everything you need to know about the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, from eligibility to application tips.

If you’re a farmer or grower in England, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) is one of the most practical grant schemes available to help you invest in the kit that makes a real difference on farm. Whether you’re running beef cattle, dairy cattle, or a mixed enterprise, FETF grants can take a significant chunk off the cost of upgrading your livestock handling, improving productivity, or finding better ways to manage slurry.

With rounds like FETF 2025 and FETF 2026 offering up to £75,000 in combined funding, it’s a scheme worth understanding inside out. Here’s everything you need to know, from the application process to claiming your grant payments.

What Is the FETF?

The FETF is a government grant scheme delivered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) as part of the broader Farming Investment Fund. It provides fixed contributions towards specific items of equipment and technology designed to:

FETF at a Glance

Boost on-farm productivity
Improve animal health and welfare
Support better slurry management
Promote environmental sustainability
Grant values between £1,000 and £25,000 per theme
Up to £75,000 combined if you apply across all three themes
Open to farmers, growers and land managers based in England

The fund runs in annual rounds. Each round has a set application window — typically lasting several weeks — during which you submit your application online through the Farming Investment Fund service on GOV.UK.

The Three Grant Themes

FETF grants are divided into three core areas. You can apply for items under one, two, or all three themes:

Animal Health & Welfare
Equipment that supports the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway priorities — think EID readers, calving gates, weighing systems, and handling equipment that helps you monitor and care for livestock more effectively.
Productivity Theme
Productivity items cover technology and equipment that helps you work more efficiently — from precision farming tools to automated systems that save time and reduce manual labour. Whether it’s a GPS guidance system or a more efficient feed mixer, the productivity theme is all about getting more out of your operation.
Slurry Management
Slurry items help you store, handle, and apply slurry in ways that reduce emissions, improve nutrient management, and deliver a real environmental benefit. If you’re looking for better ways to manage slurry on your beef or dairy unit, this theme is well worth exploring.

Full item lists and specifications for each theme are published on GOV.UK ahead of each application round.

How Applications Are Scored

FETF is a competitive scheme meaning that not every application is guaranteed funding. Each eligible item is assigned a score by DEFRA based on how well it aligns with the scheme’s objectives. The RPA then scores your overall application using this method:

The score for each item is multiplied by the quantity you’ve applied for, then added together to give Total A.
The maximum grant amount for each item is multiplied by the quantity applied for, then added together to give Total B.
Total A is divided by Total B to produce your application score.

Boost Your Score by 20%:

If you provide evidence that you’ve discussed your application with a vet, your Animal Health & Welfare application score can increase by 20%. It’s well worth having that conversation before you apply.

Equipment Worth Considering

The full list of eligible items changes with each round, but here are some popular choices that have featured consistently across FETF 2025 and FETF 2026, especially useful if you’re running a beef cattle or dairy cattle operation:

EID Handheld Device (Stick Reader)

Handheld device with RFID technology for individual reading of animals
Capable of scanning tags, storing tag data, and connecting wirelessly to mobile phones or other devices
Must support HDX and FDX-B tags

Herdwatch Compatible Readers: Agrident AWR250, AWR300, APR250, APR450, APR600, AWL200 • Tru-Test XRS, XRS2, SRX2, SRS2, SRS2i, XRS2i • Allflex LPR, RS320, RT250, RS420 • Shearwell SDL440, SDL440S, SDL400S • Gallagher HR5v3, HR4v3, HR4, HR5, HR4v2, HR5v2, HR3

Weigh Bars, Weigh Platforms & Digital Weigh Heads

Electronic load bars or weigh platforms for use with livestock over 300kg
Suitable for cattle crushes or batch weighing pens for sheep
Digital weigh heads that record and display individual animal weights, track live weight gain, and connect via app

Herdwatch Compatible Weigh Heads: Tru-Test EziWeigh 6, 7, 6i, 7i • Tru-Test S3, ID3000, JR5000, XR3000, XR5000, ID5000 • Gallagher TW-1, TWR-1, TWR-5, TW-3, W0, W1

Calving Gate

Built-in swinging gate for safe restraint of cows during calving
Full-length adjustable head yoke with quick release
Device to prevent backward movement
Removable side rails or access panels for treatment or calving-related activities

Sheep Race

Standalone sheep race, minimum 4.8m in length
Must include at least 1 guillotine gate, 1 stop or drafting gate, sheeted hurdles, and coupling rods
Compatible with any handling system; made from durable material such as galvanised steel or polypropylene

Please note: Ex-demo, second-hand, part exchange, and ‘try before you buy’ items are not eligible for grant funding. Only brand-new items that meet the published specifications qualify.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for FETF, you must:

Be a farmer, grower, or land manager with a business based and registered in England
Be registered (or register) with the Rural Payments service
Have a Single Business Identifier (SBI) ready when you apply

What You’ll Need if Your Application Succeeds

If your application is approved, you’ll receive a Grant Funding Agreement setting out the terms. Once you’ve purchased your items and have them in use, you can claim your grant payments by providing the following:

Completed claim and declaration form
Copies of invoices for each item purchased
Payment evidence (bank statements, building society statements, or business credit card statements)
Photographic evidence of equipment in situ (where applicable)
Photograph of the manufacturer’s plate or serial number from the operating manual
Installation and operating manuals where needed to demonstrate eligibility

Top Tips for a Successful Application

Check the specs carefully. Only items that match the published specifications exactly are eligible — don’t assume a similar product will qualify.
Apply early. The application window is typically only a few weeks. Don’t leave it to the last day.
Talk to your vet. For Animal Health & Welfare items, evidence of a vet discussion boosts your score by 20%.
Plan your purchases ahead. Lead times on some equipment can be long, so start sourcing early.
Keep your records tidy. You’ll need to prove the item was bought new and is being used as described.
Have your SBI ready. You’ll need your Single Business Identifier to apply through the RPA portal.

What’s Next for FETF?

DEFRA regularly reviews and updates its grant schemes, so the format, application process, and eligible items may change from year to year. There have been signals that future rounds could see FETF folded into a broader, simplified funding offer — but nothing is set in stone. What’s clear is that the government remains committed to supporting environmental benefit and on-farm investment across England.

The best way to stay informed is to keep an eye on the DEFRA Farming Blog and the Funding for Farmers page on GOV.UK, where new rounds and any changes to the scheme are announced first.

Stay on Top of Your Farm Records

Whether you’re applying for grants or simply managing your herd, Herdwatch makes it easy to track livestock, log treatments, and stay compliant, all from your phone.

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Useful Links

This guide is intended as a general overview of the FETF scheme. Grant details, eligible items, scoring, and application windows may change between rounds. Always check the official GOV.UK guidance for the most up-to-date information before applying.