The team at West Country Rural Ltd have broad experience with the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) schemes. The current offer is in a state of flux with the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Scheme 2023 and SFI expanded offer scheme both now closed to new applicants. In Feburary 2026 it was announced that there will be opportunities to apply for SFI in June and September 2026 but we do not yet have a scheme handbook nor confirmed option requirements to be able to make firm plans. We are currently offering advice to clients based on our knowledge of the former schemes which may be subject to change once the requisite information is finally released by the RPA.
The most recent round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) grant scheme has recently closed and we are told it will be the last of its kind as we know it. We await details of the future scheme format which are likely to be released well into 2027.
We have also had success with the Slurry Infrastructure Grant (SIG) scheme, although the timescales mean that the scheme may be of limited use – if you need more storage and you need it in under 48 months then this scheme is not for you! We understand that this scheme will not be available again to new applicants.
The Capital Grant Scheme (CGS) which covers items such as fencing, water troughs, stoning out gateways, laying hedges, limbing trees, repairing stone faced banks, installing new wooden gates etc will reopen for applications in July 2026 with the same caps on application value as last year but we do not currently have any further information.
Higher value items such as concrete renewal and roofing require support from Natural England, but the threshold for gaining support from one of our local Catchment Sensitive Farming Officers is set incredibly high. There is also a waiting time of unknown length due to staff shortages at Natural England and the application window for support to accompany 2026 CGS applications closed in Feburary 2026. We are now applying for CSF support for 2027 schemes. Therefore, whilst the farming press continue to shout the virtues and ease of the scheme for roofing silage clamps and concreteing yard aprons, in the south west these items are currently unicorns. We will update this page as we receive new information!
If you would like assistance with preparing an application, submitting a claim once you have your agreement in place or just to review your options then please contact the office.
