Farmers have fewer than two weeks left to apply for a grant through Defra's Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF), and are invited to attend a free webinar to demystify the application process.

BOFIN, The British On-Farm Innovation Network, will host a webinar on Thursday 11 April at 5pm to provide guidance on how farmers can secure funding for cutting edge equipment such as the Redekop Seed Control Unit (SCU).

"Over the past two years, the Harvest Weed Seed Control (HWSC) project has been working with scientists at NIAB, UK farmers and Seed Scouts to compile grassweed data for analysis in the UK's first ever farmer-led survey of grassweeds left standing at harvest," says Tom Allen-Stevens, BOFIN Founder.

Analysis has now taken place and some interesting trends have been identified. 

"From the results obtained by our Seed Scouts and four UK farmers completing on-farm trials with the Redekop SCU, we have been able to identify the potential value of the SCU in helping farmers tackle grassweeds," Mr Allen-Stevens adds.

"We are therefore very excited that the Redekop SCU has been included as part of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2024."

Securing a grant for the Redekop SCU through the FETF would provide farmers with as much as 60% of the total cost, saving them around £35,000.

Carter Jonas Partner James Bradley, who has prepared and submitted many applications on behalf of farmers and landowners, will talk attendees through the FETF and be on hand to answer any questions attendees may have about the funding application. 

Joining him will be Trevor Thiessen, co-owner and president at Redekop Manufacturing, who will provide further insight into the SCU. Keith Challen, farm manager at Belvoir Farming Company, will discuss his direct involvement within the HWSC project and his experience using the Redekop SCU. 

John Cussans, weed biology and management specialist at NIAB, will also present the final results from the HWSC project.

The webinar is free to attend. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NeHU9e2gRbSbpI6QKjTQ-Q#/registration

A Q&A about the FETF can be found here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/fetf-24-q-a.407784/