FETF 2026 Application (Farmer Friendly Guide)
FETF 2026 Application: How to Score Highly – The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2026 is now open – and because this is the final round in its current form, competition will be fierce. FETF is a scored scheme, which means applications are ranked, and the highest‑scoring ones are funded first until the budget runs out.
If you want your FETF 2026 application to stand out – especially for high‑demand items like cattle crushes, livestock handling systems, weighing equipment and EID – you need to understand how scoring works and how to present your case clearly.
This guide explains, in plain English, how to maximise your FETF 2026 application score, what DEFRA is looking for, and how to structure your application so it’s approved quickly.
Why Scoring Matters in FETF 2026
The FETF 2026 application is not “first-come, first-served”. It’s competitive.
FETF applications are scored on:
- Animal welfare improvement
- Labour efficiency
- Productivity gains
- Environmental benefit
- Value for money
- How closely the item matches the DEFRA specification
The higher your score, the more likely you are to receive funding – especially for popular items like pneumatic crushes, weighing systems, and handling equipment upgrades.
1. Choose Equipment That Clearly Improves Animal Welfare
Animal welfare is one of the strongest scoring categories in the FETF 2026 application.
DEFRA wants to fund equipment that:
- Reduces stress
- Improves restraint
- Supports safer handling
- Reduces injury risk
- Improves TB‑testing environments
High‑scoring items include:
- Pneumatic cattle crushes
- Heavy‑duty manual crushes
- Foot‑trimming crushes
- Solid‑sided race panels
- Anti‑backing gates
- Forcing tubs
- Handling race components
If your current crush is old, noisy, or unsafe, upgrading will score extremely well.
Tip: In your FETF 2026 application, describe how your current setup causes stress or risk – and how the new equipment solves it.
2. Demonstrate Clear Labour Savings
FETF wants to support equipment that reduces labour requirements and makes handling safer and faster.
High‑scoring labour‑saving items:
- Pneumatic crushes
- Drafting gates
- Weighing systems
- EID readers
- Handling system upgrades
If you can show that the new equipment:
- Reduces the number of people needed
- Speeds up routine tasks
- Reduces handling time
- Improves cattle flow
…your score increases significantly.
Tip: Use simple, real‑world examples:
“TB testing currently takes 3 people and 4 hours. With a pneumatic crush and solid‑sided race, we expect to reduce this to 2 people and 2.5 hours.”
3. Show Productivity Gains (Especially for Weighing & EID)
Productivity is a major scoring category in the FETF Productivity theme.
High‑scoring productivity items:
- Load bars
- Digital indicators
- EID readers
- Drafting gates
- Integrated weighing systems
These items score well because they:
- Improve growth monitoring
- Support medicine accuracy
- Reduce handling frequency
- Improve data accuracy
- Support herd‑management software
Tip: Explain how weighing or EID will improve decision‑making on your farm.
4. Match the DEFRA Specification for the FETF 2026 Application
Exactly
This is one of the biggest reasons applications fail.
If the item you choose does not match the FETF specification word for word, it will be rejected.
Examples:
- If the spec says “automatic head yoke”, your crush must have one.
- If the spec says “solid‑sided race”, mesh or rail‑sided panels won’t qualify.
- If the spec says “digital indicator”, an analogue unit won’t be accepted.
Tip: Farming Solutions will check the spec for you before you apply.
This alone can save you from a failed application.
5. Provide a Clear Justification (Short, Simple, Practical)
DEFRA does not want long essays in the FETF 2026 Application they want clarity.
Your justification should answer:
a) What problem do you currently have?
Examples:
- Poor cattle flow
- Unsafe crush
- No weighing system
- Stressful TB testing
- Labour shortages
b) How will the new equipment solve it?
Examples:
- Solid‑sided races reduce baulking
- Pneumatic crush reduces stress and improves safety
- Weighing system improves medicine accuracy
- Drafting gate reduces labour
c) What measurable improvement will you see?
Examples:
- Faster handling
- Fewer staff required
- Better welfare
- More accurate data
Tip: Use bullet points — DEFRA reviewers appreciate clarity.
6. Apply Early (High‑scoring FETF applications are funded first)
Even if you score well, applying late reduces your chances.
FETF pots are limited, and once the budget is allocated, the round closes.
Tip: Submit your application within the first 10–14 days of the window.
7. Use Photos or Notes About Your Current Setup (Optional but powerful)
This is not required – but it strengthens your case.
Examples:
- A photo of an old crush
- A note about poor cattle flow
- A sketch of your current race layout
This shows DEFRA that the upgrade is justified.
8. Combine Items for a Higher Score
Bundling related items increases your score because it shows a system‑level improvement.
High‑scoring combinations:
Animal Health & Welfare bundle
- Pneumatic crush
- Solid‑sided race
- Anti‑backing gate
Productivity bundle
- Load bars
- Digital indicator
- EID reader
- Drafting gate
Mixed farm bundle
- Manual crush
- Weigh system
- Race panel upgrade
Tip: Farming Solutions can create a grant‑ready bundle tailored to your farm.
9. Use Farming Solutions’ FETF 2026 Application Support
We help farmers score highly by offering:
✔ Free specification check
We confirm your chosen equipment matches the DEFRA spec.
✔ Grant‑ready quotes
Formatted exactly how FETF requires.
✔ Yard layout advice
Send us a photo or sketch – we’ll recommend eligible upgrades.
✔ Fast turnaround
Essential during the short application window.
Final Thoughts on the FETF 2026 Application
FETF 2026 is the last chance to secure grant support for upgrading your cattle handling system under the current scheme. With competition high, understanding how scoring works – and choosing equipment that clearly improves welfare, safety, and productivity – is essential.
Farming Solutions makes the process simple, practical, and farmer‑friendly.
👉 Explore eligible equipment and get a grant‑ready quote:
