We’re pleased to confirm that over 8,800 applicants have successfully secured funding through this year’s Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF). Grant Funding Agreements (GFAs) have now been sent.
Together, the successful offers are worth more than £68.4 million.
Funding will help thousands of farmers, horticulturalists, forestry owners and associated contractors invest in new machinery – from autonomous robots that plant seeds with precision to slurry separator systems that reduce both waste and costs.
As FETF is a competitive fund, those whose applications weren’t selected have received an email explaining why.
In this post, we shine a light on two farm businesses that benefitted from previous FETF funding. They explain how the funding helped them work more efficiently and protect their profits.
Colin J Collins Ltd: improved farming operations
Last year, Worcestershire-based Colin J Collins Ltd secured grant funding from FETF for two farming systems.
A direct drill allows them to sow crops without ploughing first, reducing the time and fuel needed for soil preparation, while helping maintain soil structure and health.
They also invested in a mobile sheep handling system. It makes everyday livestock tasks quicker and safer – tagging lambs, shearing sheep, and carrying out routine health checks are all easier to manage both in the yard and out in the field.
Together, these investments strengthen both their arable and livestock operations, helping the farm run more efficiently and safely while supporting long-term productivity.
T H Turner & Son’s precision slurry management
T H Turner & Son in Warwickshire also strengthened their farm operations last year with precision slurry management technology.
This has modernised how they apply slurry, reducing artificial fertiliser use and waste while improving crop nutrition.
They have added 3 pieces of kit. A flow rate monitoring system provides real-time measurement of slurry movement through pipelines, helping them spot any problems quickly.
This system has a minimum working width of 8 metres and applies slurry using trailing shoes. These part the crop, place the slurry directly onto the soil surface, and then close the crop again.
This method greatly reduces ammonia emissions and nutrient losses compared with traditional low-trajectory spreading. It also supports better soil health and improves the efficiency of fertiliser use.
This technology uses near infra-red (NIR) spectrometry to continuously monitor the nutrient content of slurry during application.
By providing real-time data, it enables more accurate, site-specific nutrient management. This helps to optimise fertilisation while also protecting water quality.
Next steps for successful applicants
We encourage successful applicants to read their agreements carefully to make sure they understand the terms, conditions, and claim deadline: midday on 31 March 2026.
Follow the link in your email to accept or decline the offer before the deadline. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is available to help with any questions.
We’d also love to hear from you. If you’d like to share your stories and let us know how you’ve put the funding to use – just leave a comment. It’s great to see the difference new machinery and technology are making on farms across England.
Thank you for your interest in FETF 2025. We look forward to seeing the positive impact on thousands of farming businesses.
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4 comments
Comment by Paul posted on
This is great news, but what has happened to processing of CS Capital Grants ?
No-one seems to have heard anything about their applications for months.
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Paul,
Thanks for getting in touch. The RPA is managing a high volume of applications but is processing them in the order they were submitted.
We appreciate that the wait can be frustrating - all applications are being handled carefully and systematically.
For any specific enquiries, you can email ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Caz Johnson posted on
Great that the funding has been allocated to so many businesses, but can you tell us how many applications were unsuccessful and fell below the minimum score.
This will show how much more funding is required to satisfy the want to invest and improve farm business.
Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on
Hi Caz,
Thanks for getting in touch. 468 fell below the minimum score.
Sarah