Grants applicable to OPICO distributed machinery

The fund includes three grants to help you buy equipment or technology to; improve productivity, manage slurry and improve animal health and welfare.

The window for applications for 2026 opens on the 17th March 2026 and will close at midday on 12th May 2026.

Percentage's of payments are based on the expected average cost of the item, not the invoiced cost.

Find below a list of the OPICO distributed machines that we believe are eligible for the grant.

*N.B. FETF 2026 is administered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). All decisions on application approvals are made by the RPA. FETF 2026 grants are only available in England. Full details.

Eligible item: FarmDroid FD20

(FETF218 - Robotic drill and guided hoe)

Item must:

• be a robotic drill and guided hoe
• precisely place seed in the ground
• mechanically weed between drilled rows
• mechanically weed between plants in rows
• be able to drill and hoe
• be able to operate autonomously in the field without an operator (apart from refilling the seed hopper)

Percentage paid towards item: 50%

Percentage based on RPA expected average cost of item

Eligible item: OPICO Variocast (400L)

(FETF207 - Air drill for establishing cover crops)

Item must:

• be a pneumatic (air) drill
• be designed to be mounted on existing drills or soil tillage equipment
• have electronic metering
• be able to drill small cover crop seeds - for example, clover, mustard, phacelia
• use either pipes, coulters or spreader plates to place the seed
• have a minimum 3m drilling width
• have a seed hopper with a minimum 300L capacity

Percentage paid towards item: 50%

Percentage based on RPA expected average cost of item

Eligible item: OPICO Sward Lifter

(FETF112 - Grassland sward lifters)

Item must:

• be a grassland sward lifter
• have 3 minimum legs
• have adjustable depth control to a minimum 300mm
• have a cutting disc in front of each leg that cuts to a minimum 50mm depth
• have a packing roller behind each leg
• have a shear bolt or mechanical reset on each leg

Percentage paid towards item: 40%

Percentage based on RPA expected average cost of item

Eligible item: OPICO Camera-guided Inter-Row Cultivators

(FETF6 / FETF7 - Inter row hoe 3m/6m)

Item must:

• be an inter row hoe (hoeing between the crop rows)
• automatically distinguish between the crop row and weeds between the crop rows using camera recognition
• detect the position of the crop rows and automatically adjust the hoes to only remove weeds between the crop rows
• have a minimum 3m (FETF6) or 6m (FETF7) working width

Percentage paid towards item: 50%

Percentage based on RPA expected average cost of item

Eligible item: HE-VA Top Cutter Solo

(FETF110 - Cover crop roller)

Item must:

• be a cover crop roller to terminate or bruise cover crops before direct drilling
• have a minimum 3m working width
• have an uneven or ridged surface to help crimp or bruise the cover crop
• crimp or bruise the crop across the full working width of the roller

Flat rolls and rolls comprising of a series of rings are not eligible under this item.

Rollers which include cultivation equipment are not eligible.

Percentage paid towards item: 40%

Percentage based on RPA expected average cost of item

Eligible item: HE-VA Grassland Stealth

(FETF112 - Grassland sward lifters)

Item must:

• be a grassland sward lifter
• have 3 minimum legs
• have adjustable depth control to a minimum 300mm
• have a cutting disc in front of each leg that cuts to a minimum 50mm depth
• have a packing roller behind each leg
• have a shear bolt or mechanical reset on each leg

Percentage paid towards item: 40%

Percentage based on RPA expected average cost of item

Eligible item: HE-VA Top Strigle

(FETF208 - Tractor mounted stubble rake, 6m)

Item must:

• be a tractor mounted stubble rake
• have a minimum 6m working width
• only have rearwards facing straight tines without hooks or curves to lightly agitate the soil surface and spread crop residues evenly across the field
• break up damp mats of straw

Stubble rakes using any type or form of discs, packing rollers or crumbler rollers are not eligible.

Percentage paid towards item: 40%

Percentage based on RPA expected average cost of item

Eligible item: Alpego Flail Mower

Eligible models: TR27, TR27F, TR36 TR36F, TR56, TL35L, TL35E, TL50.

(FETF200 - Tractor mounted flail mulcher for orchards and vineyards (large))

Item must:

• be a tractor mounted flail mulcher for orchards and vineyards
• be tractor PTO driven
• shred branches up to 6cm in diameter into woodchips
• have a 1.6m minimum working width
• have a 3.0m maximum working width

Percentage paid towards item: 40%

Percentage based on RPA expected average cost of item

Eligible item: Simtech Direct Drill

Eligible models: TS 300, TS 300A, TS 480LP, TS300P, TS 300AP, TS 350AP, TS 400AP, TS 480AP, TJG 300 - 1000L.

The following are grant eligible with the addition of a Front Hopper (FH 1800): TS 480APL, TS 480 4A, TS 600AP, TS 600 4A.

(FETF44 - Direct drill)

Item must:

• be a direct drill
• use either tines or discs to product the seeding slot
• have a 2.9m minimum drilling width
• place the seed in a seeding slot
• drill through an established growing cover crops of at least 15cm - must be demonstrated on cover crops other than grass
• have a seed hopper with a capacity of at least 1,000L
• have precision metering capable of drilling between 1kg to 300kg of seed per hectare
• drill the full range of arable and cover crops including cereals, pulses and oil seeds

Percentage paid towards item: 50%

Percentage based on RPA expected average cost of item

Eligible item: HE-VA G-Drill

(FETF44 - Direct drill)

Item must:

• be a direct drill
• use either tines or discs to product the seeding slot
• have a 2.9m minimum drilling width
• place the seed in a seeding slot
• drill through an established growing cover crops of at least 15cm - must be demonstrated on cover crops other than grass
• have a seed hopper with a capacity of at least 1,000L
• have precision metering capable of drilling between 1kg to 300kg of seed per hectare
• drill the full range of arable and cover crops including cereals, pulses and oil seeds

Percentage paid towards item: 50%

Percentage based on RPA expected average cost of item

If you'd like to discuss an eligible machine with a member of our Territory Management team, you can find their contact details here. 

The Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme (SFIS) is a capital grant scheme under the Sustainable Agriculture Programme to support investment in equipment and technology for Northern Irish farmers. There is total of 40 million pounds available, split across multiple rounds over the next three to four years.

Round one of the scheme closed for applicants on the 3rd September 2026. Offer letters for round one started to be handed out to successful applicants on the 8th October 2026, and these need to be accepted within 28 days. Accepted grants will then have 180 calendar days to be purchased and on farm (for non-LESSE equipment).

Find below a list of the OPICO distributed machines that we believe are eligible for the grant.

 Full details.

Eligible item: OPICO Sward Lifter

(AGSS - Arable/ grassland subsoiler with min 3 legs)

Item must:

• minimum mechanical reset on each leg
• rear roller behind each leg
• cutting disc in front of each leg
• adjustable depth control

Score: 26.08

Maximum grant amount: £3,600

Eligible item: OPICO Camera-guided Inter-Row Cultivators

(CGH3/CGH6 - Precision Camera guided inter row hoe)

Item must:

• automatically distinguishes between crop row and weeds between the crop rows using camera recognition
• detect the position of the crop rows and automatically adjust the hoes to only remove weeds between the crop rows

Score: 30.02

Maximum grant amount: £20,922

Eligible item: Simtech Direct Drill

Eligible models: TSG300S, TSG300SE, TS300, TS300E, TSA300, TSA300E, TJG300-1000, TJG300i-1000, all pneumatic models qualify.

(DDS - Direct drill for precision drilling into undisturbed soil)

Item must:

• minimum 2.9m drilling width
• be capable of sowing the full range of arable and cover crops into undisturbed soil
• have ability to drill through an established growing cover crop of at least 15cm
• have minimum 1,000 litre capacity seed hopper
• use tines or disc to produce the seeding slot
• have precision metering of seed - drilling between 1 to 300kg of seed per hectare

Score: 28.02

Maximum grant amount: £18,428

Eligible item: OPICO Grain Dryer

(GD9 - Grain Dryer (minimum 9 tonne capacity))

Item must:

• electronically controlled and capable of monitoring grain temperature and grain moisture

Score: 24.01

Maximum grant amount: £22,608

If you'd like to discuss an eligible machine with a member of our Territory Management team, you can find their contact details here. 

FFIS is a capital grant scheme designed to help farmers and crofters in Scotland improve the environmental performance of their agricultural business.

The scheme guidance and Capital Investment Guide was released on 19th October 2026. The window for application is due to open in November 2026.

The capital investment must deliver on one of the following objectives:

• improve business efficiency and sustainability
• protect, restore or enhance the environment
• reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• mitigate the effect of climate change

Find below a list of the OPICO distributed machinery (not exhaustive) that we believe are eligible for the grant when related to a certain scenario which would support a business in meeting one of the four objectives.

If your application is successful, you will need to read and accept within 14 days. Agricultural businesses will then have 9 months to carry out all the capital investments they applied for and provide proof of investment

*We have also included the maximum cost, which the item may cost more or less than this value, but it is used to calculate your grant amount. You must enter the realistic, expected cost in your application. Please contact a member of our sales team for more information, details found here.

Full details. 

Eligible item: OPICO Sward Lifter

(PG10 - Grassland sward lifters)

Item must:

• have 3 minimum legs
• have adjustable depth control to a minimum 300mm
• have a cutting disc in front of each leg that cuts to a minimum 50mm depth
• have a packing roller behind each leg
• have a shear bolt or mechanical reset on each leg

Item score: 3.7

Maximum cost*: £10,000

Eligible item: OPICO Camera-guided Inter-Row Cultivators

(SH04 - Precision camera-guided inter-row hoe)

Item must:

• have a minimum 3m working width
• use camera recognition to automatically distinguish between the crop row and weeds between crop rows
• automatically detect the position of the crop rows
• automatically adjust the position of the hoeing elements to mechanically remove weeds between the crop rows while minimising damage to the crop

Item score: 4.2

Maximum cost*: £40,000

Eligible item: HE-VA Top Cutter Solo

(SH08 - Cover crop roller/crimper)

Item must:

• have a minimum 3m working width
• be a cover crop roller to terminate or bruise cover crops before direct drilling
• have an uneven, ridged or crimping surface across the full working width of the roller
• be new, fit for purpose and purchased as a complete, operational item

Item score: 4.1

Maximum cost*: £8,000

Eligible item: HE-VA Stealth

(SH05 - Subsoiler)

Item must:

• have a minimum working width of 2.7 metres
• comprise a minimum of three soil-engaging legs
• incorporate a cutting disc in front of each leg
• incorporate a rear roller behind each leg
• provide adjustable working depth
• incorporate a minimum mechanical reset on each leg

Item score: 3.4

Maximum cost*: £10,000

Eligible item: HE-VA Top Strigle

(SH06 - Tractor-mounted stubble rake)

Item must:

• have a minimum working width of 6 metres
• have only rearward-facing straight tines without hooks or curves, designed to lightly agitate the soil surface and distribute crop residues evenly across the field
• be capable of breaking up damp mats of straw
• be new, fit for purpose and purchased as a complete, operational item

Item score: 3.9

Maximum cost*: £18,000

Eligible item: HE-VA Triple Tiller

(SH03 - Minimum tillage cultivator)

Item must:

• have a minimum working width of 3 metres
• have a minimum of three rows of soil-engaging components
• have two separate rows comprising fixed tines, discs, loosening legs, spring tines or a combination of these
• have a third rear row comprising a packer, crumbler, roller, rings or shouldered rings

Item score: 3.9

Maximum cost*: £25,000

Eligible item: HE-VA Combi-Disc

(SH03 - Minimum tillage cultivator)

Item must:

• have a minimum working width of 3 metres
• have a minimum of three rows of soil-engaging components
• have two separate rows comprising fixed tines, discs, loosening legs, spring tines or a combination of these
• have a third rear row comprising a packer, crumbler, roller, rings or shouldered rings

Item score: 3.9

Maximum cost*: £25,000

Eligible item: HE-VA Grass Rejuvenator

(PG11 - Grassland overseeder and rejuvenator)

Item must:

• incorporate harrows, tines or other mechanisms to prepare or open the existing sward for overseeding
• include a seed hopper with a metering and distribution system suitable for overseeding existing grassland
• be capable of distributing seed across or into the existing sward
• incorporate a roller or other mechanism to reconsolidate the sward following seed application
• perform sward preparation, seed application and consolidation as part of a complete grassland rejuvenation system

Item score: 3.5

Maximum cost*: £20,000

Eligible item: Simtech Direct Drill

Eligible models: TS 300, TS 300A, TS 480LP, TS300P, TS 300AP, TS 350AP, TS 400AP, TS 480AP, TJG 300 - 1000L.

The following are grant eligible with the addition of a Front Hopper (FH 1800): TS 480APL, TS 480 4A, TS 600AP, TS 600 4A.

(SH01 - Direct drill)

Item must:

• have a minimum drilling width of 2.9 metres
• use tines or discs to produce the seeding slot
• place seed directly into the seeding slot
• have a seed hopper with a minimum capacity of 1,000 litres
• incorporate precision seed metering capable of drilling between 1 kg and 300 kg of seed per hectare
• be capable of drilling the full range of arable and cover crops, including cereals, pulses and oilseeds, into undisturbed soil
• be capable of drilling through an established growing cover crop of at least 15 cm in height

Item score: 4.8

Maximum cost*: £40,000

Eligible item: HE-VA G-Drill

(SH01 - Direct drill)

Item must:

• have a minimum drilling width of 2.9 metres
• use tines or discs to produce the seeding slot
• place seed directly into the seeding slot
• have a seed hopper with a minimum capacity of 1,000 litres
• incorporate precision seed metering capable of drilling between 1 kg and 300 kg of seed per hectare
• be capable of drilling the full range of arable and cover crops, including cereals, pulses and oilseeds, into undisturbed soil
• be capable of drilling through an established growing cover crop of at least 15 cm in height

Item score: 4.8

Maximum cost*: £40,000

Eligible item: Rumex Spot Sprayer

(PN05 - Spot spraying system)

Item must:

• use cameras and automated weed recognition to identify individual target
  weeds in a crop or grassland
• use real-time image recognition to distinguish target weeds from the
  surrounding crop or grassland
• automatically activate individual spray nozzles to selectively treat identified
  weeds
• include the cameras, computer hardware, software and control equipment
  necessary to operate the spot spraying system
• be new, fit for purpose and purchased as a complete, operational
  system

Item score: 4.6

Maximum cost*: £40,000

Eligible item: Rumex Spot Sprayer

(PN06 - Camera-guided inter-row sprayer)

Item must:

• use real-time image recognition to identify weeds
• automatically distinguish between crop rows and weeds growing between the crop rows
• automatically control the sprayer to spot spray weeds between rows of growing crops
• independently switch individual spray nozzles on and off
• have a minimum working width of 3 metres
• be new, fit for purpose and purchased as a complete, operational item

Item score: 4.2

Maximum cost*: £13,000

If you'd like to discuss an eligible machine with a member of our Territory Management team, you can find their contact details here. 

This grant supports innovation towards finding local solutions to local water quality challenges in key priority catchments across the Anglian Water region. Unlike other grants, there are no set options, so if you are considering anything which could help protect raw water quality from pesticides, nutrients or soil loss we (Anglian Water) want to hear from you.

The application window opened on the 26^th January 2026 and applications closed on 31^st August 2026. 

Evidence submission deadline is by the end of December 2026.

Full details.

There will be a maximum grant rate of £7,500/holding to help support farmers and share some of the risk associated to trialling new approaches, changing practices and/or scaling up ideas to be incorporated into business as usual.

If you'd like to discuss an eligible machine with a member of our Territory Management team, you can find their contact details here. 

This grant is open to farmers and landowners in the Thames Water priority catchment areas. Funding innovation and machinery to tackle water pollution and protect drinking water sources, in the Thames Water region. Unlike other grants, there are no set options, so if you are considering anything which could help protect raw water quality from pesticides, nutrients or soil loss we (Thames Water) want to hear from you.

The application deadlines are at the end of November and May each year.

Full details.

Successful applications can receive partial funding for eligible activities, up to £15,000. Helping support farmers and share some of the risk associated to trialling new approaches, changing practices and/or scaling up ideas to be incorporated into business as usual.

If you'd like to discuss an eligible machine with a member of our Territory Management team, you can find their contact details here.