FETF 2026: Applications now open

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2026 opened for applications on 17 March 2026, offering farmers, growers, foresters and contractors grants to invest in equipment that boosts productivity, improves animal health and welfare, and enhances slurry management.

A total of £50 million is available this year, split across three themes:

• £20m Productivity
• £20m Animal Health & Welfare
• £10m Slurry Management
• You can apply for one grant per theme, with funding between £1,000 and £25,000 per theme, up to a combined maximum of £75,000.

What’s new for 2026?

• DEFRA has confirmed several changes:
• Scoring uplifts for productivity, slurry and animal health and welfare have been removed.
• Bank statements submitted with claims must now be fully redacted.
• All communication will use the contact details registered in the Rural Payments Service.
• This is also the final standalone round of FETF before the scheme is reformed and simplified from 2027.

Who can apply?

Those eligible include farmers, horticulturalists, forestry owners and contractors working in these sectors, provided they are registered in England.

The Animal Health and Welfare theme is restricted to farms with beef or dairy cattle, sheep, pigs, laying hens or broilers.

Previous FETF recipients can still apply.

Eligible equipment

Across the three themes, 290 items are eligible, including but not limited to:

• Productivity: weed wipers, rainwater harvesting tanks, camera-guided inter-row sprayers, direct drills.
• Animal Health & Welfare: mobile sheep handling systems, sheep handlers, ventilation equipment, heat lamps for lambs.
• Slurry Management: robotic slurry pushers, mobile slurry separators, dribble bars, trailing shoe applicators.

Application window

Applications close at midday on 28 April 2026.

As a competitive scheme, applicants may receive some, all or none of the funding requested.

Need help?

We’re here to support you in making the most of farm innovation grants like the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2026.

We can help you assess your eligibility, capital allowances and tax impact, assess applications for return on investment, and provide additional financial information to support your submission(s).

Get in touch with your usual Larking Gowen contact or email enquiry@larking-gowen.co.uk

Andrew Whiting