News
Future Farm Investment Scheme ( FFIS)
Friday 27th June 2025
The £14M Future Farm Investment Scheme grant was announced last week at the Highland Show, and further details have now emerged, which can be found by clicking the link below:
https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/ffis/
I have outlined some of the most relevant points below to provide a basic overview of the new scheme; please contact me if you would like me to submit an application on your behalf.
1) The scheme will open on July 14, 2025, and close on August 22, 2025. To apply you must have submitted a 2025 SAF and declared at least two of the five elements of the Whole Farm Plan.
2) This scheme will allow you to apply for up to 100% funding for capital items for your business of a maximum of:
Farm/croft size
The maximum that can be applied for:
30 hectares or less - £5,000.00
Between 30.01-150 hectares - £10,000.00
Greater than 150 hectares - £20,000.00
3) The item MUST deliver at least one of the benefits below:
· Improve business efficiency and sustainability;
· Protect, restore or enhance the environment
· Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or
· Mitigate the effect of climate change.
4) The item cannot be paid for by part exchange, HP, Finance, Cash, other public funds; the capital grant will be paid UPFRONT.
You CANNOT apply for the following items:
Sheds
new or replacement roofs
concrete
Home-built items
zero grazers
livestock
Basic agricultural equipment e.g. tractors, trailers, quads, farm handlers, forklifts, 4x4s, RTVs etc.
investments required to comply with existing statutory regulatory requirements e.g. slurry stores to meet minimum number of weeks storage.
investments that are not expected to last 6 years following the Offer of Grant being made
Items already owned
second-hand, ex-demonstration and ‘try before you buy’ items
like for like upgrades and replacements
Investments associated with food processing
feed, fuel, fertilisers, lime or sprays
renewable energy investments (including anaerobic digesters)
Items from a supplier or manufacturer who you or your business are part of or linked to in any way
Items used in full or part for any non-agricultural business or domestic purposes (including agricultural contracting)
Computer hardware which is not solely required for the project, such as standalone pc, laptop, printer etc
purchase of land
Investments that have already received grant support
Irrigation lagoons (already funded through AECS)
Replacement items covered by an insurance claim
Tyres – including VF and flotation
Replacement feed barriers
New slat panels slatted court for cattle
New doors
New silo floor, wall, roof
Silage pit covers, clamp sheets, cling seal sheets
Redesign of old sheds
Converting sheds to slatted housing
Permanent farm boundary fencing
Reseeding – grass to grass
Species rich grass mixes
Ditching and drainage
Grass toppers
Livestock trailers
5) You must retain the item for a minimum of six years.
6) Examples of eligible items ( PLEASE THINK OF WHAT YOU NEED - IT MIGHT NOT BE ON THIS LIST)
Electronic Identification Ear tag Readers
Grassland sward lifters
Direct Drills
Water harvesting and filtering equipment
Hedge/tree planting (incl. associated stock proof fencing and cactus guards (excl. labour costs))
Mobile or fixed slurry separators
Electronic Livestock weighing equipment
Electric fencing systems for managing grazing
Camera guided inter row sprayer
Irrigation sensors
Virtual fence – grazing collars
Low emission slurry spreading equipment
Microscopes for faecal egg counting
Grassland rejuvenator
Variable rate controller for seed drills, sprayers and fertiliser spreaders
Irrigation controller for rain guns
Herb and legume rich seed mix where the seeding will support maintenance of land for at least five years.
Slurry store covers
7) The application is ONLINE, and if you wish me to apply on your behalf, we need to update your agent mandate SOON!!
8) This is a competitive grant, and your application will be scored. Priority is being given to:
· new entrants;
· young farmers;
· small agricultural businesses;
· tenants;
· island-based agricultural businesses;
· organically registered and certified businesses;
· investments in electronic identification (EID) equipment and
· investments in water efficiency.
If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.