Take time over Christmas to consider what grants you might apply for in 2019 including:
COUNTRYSIDE PRODUCTIVITY SCHEME – likely to reopen early 2019
This grant covers a range of farm equipment and is at 40% of standard costs with a minimum grant of £3,000, up to a maximum of £12,000. Details are on Defra’s Countryside Productivity page which, if you scroll down to the bottom, includes links to the last round’s Handbook – with the list of equipment from Page 37.
AMMONIA REDUCTION GRANT?
We are hearing rumours there may be another round of the Ammonia reduction grant scheme in 2019 and last time this offered grants for slurry store covers at a higher rate than offered through the Stewardship water capital grants.
COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP
The Hedgerows and Boundaries scheme is likely to reopen in mid-January and the Woodlands Creation grant is open all year. Many farmers are interested in the Mid-Tier water capital grants – eg for concreting yards and roofing over slurry/manure stores and livestock gathering areas. These sometimes need planning permission so don’t leave it until the Spring, talk to your local Natural England CSF officer soon about whether they would recommend you for a grant.
More information about these grants are in an updated version of our Farmer Network guide to grants – click on the link below.
