UK Farming Sector Sees Real Improvements with Government-Funded Grants

Strategic Insights -

Government funding through initiatives like the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) and Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) is enabling livestock producers across the UK to upgrade their handling facilities, boosting safety, efficiency, and animal welfare. For example, James Falconer, a 60-cow suckler cow and 25 Limousin-cross and 450 Mule sheep producer on 250 acres, upgraded his cattle handling system with the help of the FETF grant scheme. He successfully secured 40% funding towards a brand-new fixed cattle handling system, designed to be operated solo while maintaining high standards of animal welfare.

Key Takeaways:

  • James Falconer, a 60-cow suckler cow and 25 Limousin-cross and 450 Mule sheep producer, upgraded his cattle handling system with the help of the FETF grant scheme, securing 40% funding towards a brand-new fixed cattle handling system.
  • The new system features a Gentle S-shaped bend that improves cattle flow and safety, with a stock board-cladded race and curved forcing pen to support smooth, low-stress animal flow.
  • James planned to run the race along the shed wall, but following Martin's advice from handling and housing specialists IAE, they introduced a gentle S-bend to pull the race away from the wall, improving flow and allowing access from both sides.
  • The finished system can hold 30-40 head at a time, with a recirculation layout allowing cattle to exit the crush and loop back into the holding pen.
  • The IAE A800 Squeeze crush part of IAE's flagship 800 Series features automatic yoke, acoustic dampening points, and 20mm rubber grip floor, among other innovations.
  • James estimates the improved cattle flow and calmer animals have reduced handling times by nearly half, and has also increased efficiency when pregnancy scanning cows.
  • The new sheep handling system features a new sheep race from IAE, complete with sorting gates to make it easier to separate lambs and ewes during routine work and at weaning.
  • James received a Countryside Stewardship capital grant to fund the shed roof, which provides a much more comfortable space to work particularly in poor weather.
  • James is now eyeing up the next round of FETF funding in 2025 to secure support for a set of IAE sheep pens for use on nearby salt marsh grazing, where he shares rights with four other producers.

Statistics:

  • The FETF grant scheme secured 40% funding towards James Falconer's new cattle handling system, alongside a new sheep handling set-up.
  • The new cattle handling system can hold 30-40 head at a time, with a recirculation layout allowing cattle to exit the crush and loop back into the holding pen.
  • James estimates the improved cattle flow and calmer animals have reduced handling times by nearly half.
  • The new sheep handling system features a new sheep race from IAE, complete with sorting gates.
  • James received a Countryside Stewardship capital grant to fund the shed roof, which provides a much more comfortable space to work particularly in poor weather.

Sources:

  • The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF)
  • The Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS)
  • James Falconer, Waterblean Farm near Millom in South Cumbria
  • Martin Dearden, handling and housing specialists IAE
  • Countryside Stewardship capital grant