Farmers are being urged to get their applications in for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) as the entry deadline looms.
Robert Kirk, UK country sales manager at smaXtec, which produces a bolus-based health management system for cattle, says with farmers able to receive up to 50 per cent of grant funding towards equipment or technology purchases, applying for the fund can provide major benefits.
Split across three themes – productivity, slurry and animal health and welfare – the Defra funding is open to farmers in England and they can apply for between £1,000 and £25,000 in each theme.
The bolus technology from smaXtec is applicable for grants under the animal health and welfare theme and Mr Kirk is encouraging farmers to get their applications in before the April 28 deadline.
He says: “It’s great to see the government supporting farmers by pushing forward with this technology grant.
“To see them acknowledging efficiency and how technology can have such a big impact on the day-to-day running of a farm is really encouraging; hopefully this will give farmers the motivation and confidence to invest.”
Mr Kirk is keen to stress that farmers can apply for the funding before making specific decisions about the sort of technology they invest in.
“I would urge farmers to submit their applications as soon as possible. Once funding is approved, they can then choose the system that best suits their business,” he explains.
“At smaXtec, we are happy to discuss their technology needs before or after an application is submitted, but the priority is making that submission to Defra.”
smaXtec bolus technology supports dairy and beef farmers with continuous, real-time monitoring of key animal health indicators, helping them detect disease earlier, respond more quickly to health issues and make better-informed herd management decisions.
And with ongoing milk price fluctuations impacting the dairy sector, and beef cattle prices at near record levels, now is the time for farmers to invest in the long-term health and efficiency of their herds, according to Mr Kirk.
He says: “It is about understanding what your pain points are and how this impacting your wider profitability. There are always efficiency gains to be made when you really focus on those key areas of animal health and welfare.
“Our smaXtec health management system can play a key role in that deeper understanding of your herd and, with FETF grants now available, it is a good time to invest.”
More information about the FETF grants is available via the Defra website by clicking here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/farming-equipment-and-technology-fund-fetf-2026
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