Welsh Small Grants - Efficiency Scheme: Upgrade Your Livestock Handling Equipment

Welsh Small Grants Efficiency Scheme

The latest Small Grants – Efficiency (Window 5) scheme from the Welsh Government is a major opportunity for Welsh farmers to invest in better livestock handling equipment—including cattle crushes, sheep handlers, auto drafters, weighing and EID systems—at a heavily discounted cost. Used well, it can transform safety, labour efficiency and animal welfare on your farm.

Below is a practical, in‑depth guide to who can apply, when, where and how to apply for the Welsh Grants Efficiency Scheme, and how the grant links to the products available from Farming Solutions Ltd.

1. What is the Small Grants – Efficiency scheme?

The Small Grants – Efficiency scheme is a capital grant designed to help farmers in Wales improve the technical, financial and environmental performance of their farm businesses. It supports pre‑approved equipment and technology that deliver clear, measurable benefits in efficiency, labour saving, animal welfare and resource use.

Key points of the Efficiency Scheme:

Grant rate: Up to 40% of eligible capital costs (excluding VAT).
Grant size: Minimum £1,000, maximum £15,000 per window.
Scope: Pre‑defined list of capital items (Annex A) such as handling systems, weighing and EID equipment, and other efficiency tools.

For many farms, this is the most accessible route to upgrading cattle crushes, sheep handlers, auto drafters, and weighing/EID systems without having to carry the full cost alone.

2. Who can apply for the Welsh Small Grants Efficiency Scheme?

You’re eligible to apply if you:

Are registered with Welsh Government and have a Customer Reference Number (CRN).
Are a primary producer of agricultural products (beef, dairy, sheep, pigs, poultry, arable, goats, horticulture, etc.).
Have at least 3 ha of eligible agricultural land in Wales registered with RPW or can demonstrate over 550 standard labour hours.

You are not eligible if:

You are an equine‑only or forestry‑only business.
You intend to use the equipment primarily for contracting (grant‑funded items cannot be used for contracting work).

If you haven’t claimed BPS before, you’ll need to provide documentary evidence with your Expression of Interest (EoI) to prove you meet the land or labour criteria.

3. When and where to apply for the Welsh Small Grants Efficiency Scheme

For Window 5, the application window:

Opens: 12th January 2026
Closes: 27th February 2026

Applications are made online only via Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online.

You must:

Be registered on RPW Online with your CRN.
Access the “Applications and Claims” section.
Complete and submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) for Small Grants – Efficiency.

If you need help registering or accessing RPW Online, you can contact the RPW Customer Contact Centre on 0300 062 5004.

4. What can you buy from Farming Solutions Ltd with this grant?

The scheme only funds items listed in Annex A: List of eligible capital items, each with a minimum specification and a referenced cost. While Annex A isn’t reproduced here, it typically includes: mobile handling systems, cattle crushes, sheep handlers, auto drafters, and weighing/EID equipment – exactly the type of kit Farming Solutions specialises in.

From the Farming Solutions Ltd website, the following product groups are strong candidates for eligibility under the Welsh Small Grants – Efficiency Scheme (subject to matching the Annex A specification):

Cattle crushes & livestock handling systems
- HD and HDX series cattle crushes (manual crushes and pneumatic crushes)
- Head bails/head gates, head scoops and crush accessories
- Cattle forcing tubs, race bows and cattle yards
Sheep handlers & auto drafters
Weighing and EID systems
- Tru‑Test loadbars and indicators (e.g. HD5T, MP600, XR5000, JR5000, EziWeigh7i)
- Gallagher weigh scales (W‑0, W‑1)
- EID Readers including EID Stick Readers (Tru‑Test XRS2, SRS2) and EID Tag Readers (Gallagher HR4, HR5 handhelds)

These products align closely with the scheme’s focus on efficiency, animal welfare and technology‑driven management, and many are already recognised under similar UK grant schemes (such as the FETF Grant in England).

The crucial step is to cross‑check each item you’re interested in against the official Annex A list and specification for Small Grants – Efficiency Window 5, to ensure it qualifies and meets or exceeds the minimum spec.

5. How the funding works in practice

The grant covers up to 40% of the eligible cost, based on the referenced cost in Annex A or your actual invoice—whichever is lower.

Example:

Annex A referenced cost for a qualifying mobile handling system: £17,259
If you buy a system meeting the spec for £17,259 or more, grant = £6,903 (40% of £17,259).
If you buy it for £12,000, grant = £4,800 (40% of your actual cost).

You must:

Not order or buy any grant‑funded items before you receive a grant award letter.
Purchase all items listed in your award within 180 days of the contract date.
Ensure all items are on farm, installed and operational before you submit your claim.

6. Step‑by‑step: How to apply

1. Get ready

Register (or confirm registration) with RPW Online.
Check you have a CRN and your business details are up to date.
Review the Welsh Small Grants – Efficiency Scheme guidance and Annex A list.

2. Choose your equipment

Speak to Farming Solutions Ltd about suitable:
- Cattle crushes and handling systems
- Sheep handlers and auto drafters
- Weighing and EID systems (loadbars, indicators, EID readers)
Confirm that the chosen models meet or exceed the Annex A specification.

3. Submit your Expression of Interest (EoI)

Log into RPW Online and select the Small Grants – Efficiency EoI.
Choose your capital items up to the £15,000 maximum grant (you can exceed this with one item, but the grant will be capped).
Submit before the 27th February 2026 deadline.

4. Wait for selection and grant award

EoIs are scored and ranked based on efficiency, animal welfare, resource use and health & safety.
If successful, you’ll receive a grant award letter via RPW Online.

5. Purchase and install

Only now can you order and purchase the items.
Ensure they match the exact specification and keep all invoices and proof of payment.
Take geo‑tagged photos of the equipment on your holding.

6. Submit your claim

Submit your claim via RPW Online within 180 days of the contract date.
Attach invoices, bank statements and specification evidence.
If everything is correct, payment is made by bank transfer.

7. Why pair this grant with Farming Solutions Ltd?

Farming Solutions is already aligned with grant‑approved categories, supplying:

High‑spec cattle crushes and handling systems designed for safety, low‑stress flow and one‑person operation.
Clipex sheep handlers and auto drafters that dramatically cut labour and improve throughput.
Tru‑Test and Gallagher weighing and EID systems that integrate seamlessly with EID readers and farm software.

Because the company is farmer‑led and design‑driven, you’re not just ticking a grant box-you’re investing in equipment that genuinely works on real Welsh farms.

8. Practical tips to make the most of the scheme

Plan your system, not just individual items. Think in terms of a complete handling flow: crush or handler + race + forcing area + weighing and EID.
Check specs carefully Annex A is strict. If your item doesn’t meet the minimum spec, that part of your claim can be reduced or rejected.
Don’t buy early. Any item purchased before the grant award is offered is automatically ineligible.
Use the full 40% wisely. Aim for equipment that will still be working hard in 10–20 years—crushes, handlers and EID systems are long‑term investments.
Talk to a specialist. A quick call with Farming Solutions to match your handling design and grant options can save you from costly mistakes.

Our Livestock Handling Advice section offers in-depth information to help you research which cattle equipment is best for your needs and farm setup.