There will also be grants for various types of robotics and innovation equipment, including:

The application window opened today and will run until March 16. A total of £25m is available under the scheme, which can pay up to 40% of costs, with the remainder paid for through private sources. Grants will be paid in arrears.

One of the aims of the scheme is reducing environmental impacts. Robotic equipment utilising an electric or renewable energy source will therefore be prioritised over fossil fuel (for example diesel) powered equipment. Biofuels are considered as renewable energy under this scheme.

The Farming Investment Fund , which opened in November, is designed to increase productivity on farms. Defra is urging farmers and agricultural contractors to take advantage of this opportunity to apply for grants to buy new equipment and infrastructure to ‘improve efficiency and help us build back greener’. Further themed grants will open later this year.

Defra will host a webinar on January 24, at 10am, to explore the details of the Improving Farm Productivity theme, and will be available to answer questions.

Editor of LBM titles Pig World and Farm Business and group editor of Agronomist and Arable Farmer. National Pig Association's webmaster. Previously political editor at Farmers Guardian for many years and also worked Farmers Weekly. Occasional farming media pundit. Brought up on a Leicestershire farm, now work from a shed in the garden in Oxfordshire. Big fan of Leicester City and Leicester Tigers. Occasional cricketer.

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