With the latest round of applications for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) opening on 29 May, Kuhn is highlighting machines in its range that are eligible for funding. If successful, these grants contribute towards the purchase cost of the machines.
Kuhn’s Rowliner interrow hoe with Rowlink camera guidance, and three of the small seed hoppers in the SH range all meet the requirements set by Defra. Grants between £1,000 and £25,000 are available for single items within each theme – productivity, slurry management, animal health and welfare. The government says that £46.7m will be available across the three themes in a competitive process.
The machines are in the productivity theme, which is designed to improve farm efficiency and profitability. Of the 66 items available, funding items FETF7, 6m interrow hoe, and FETF207, air drill for establishing cover crops, are applicable. Both items are eligible for an up to 50% contribution to the purchase cost (capped at £25,000).
The Rowliner interrow hoe with Rowlink camera guidance meets the requirements by using live camera imagery to distinguish between the row crop and weeds. The minimum 6m wide machine could secure the maximum funding, depending on the purchase price.
Models in Kuhn’s SH range that comply are the SH402, SH4080 and SH600. Stipulations of the funding include electronic metering; models that can be mounted to various makes of cultivators or drills; sow small seeds for cover crops; a minimum of 300-litre hopper capacity; and a width of 3m or more. Edd Fanshawe, Kuhn’s arable product specialist, says these grants could be ideal for farmers and growers to justify investments at a tough time.
“Any financial support towards purchasing a machine that can improve efficiencies, increase productivity, or allow greater flexibility is worth considering. The SH hoppers are popular additions to cultivators and drills to apply small seed crops in the same pass, reducing diesel use and releasing time for other jobs.”
