Grant question from a non-grantist

[DaveGrohl]

We’ve not applied for any grants for a long time due to the ballache nature of them and the time delay aspect.

Thinking about buying a subsoiler for grassland (mostly) and a set of short discs. Don’t need to buy right now, maybe winter/next year, are there any grants available or in the future? TIA.

 

[Badshot]

Should be on the grassland subsoiler if another round of fetf24 opens.
Nothing on the discs.

 

[DaveGrohl]

Should be on the grassland subsoiler if another round of fetf24 opens.
Nothing on the discs.

How often do these FETF grants happen? Any idea when?

 

[Badshot]

How often do these FETF grants happen? Any idea when?

We had round one earlier this year.
There's meant to be two more this financial year so I'd guess fairly soon for second round.

 

[DaveGrohl]

Should be on the grassland subsoiler if another round of fetf24 opens.
Nothing on the discs.

Why subsoiler but not discs? Awkard question for them?

 

[Adeptandy]

Will there be round 2 now we have a new Gov

If you we’re successful in R1, can you apply for R2 ( if there is one )

 

[neilo]

Why subsoiler but not discs? Awkard question for them?

Because the grants are only for certain items, that fit a required spec. The usual spec quoted for a min-til cultivator are to have 'at least 3 separate soil engaging parts' iirc, and most shortdiscs only have two. If you can find a set with some tines or harrows, then they might well qualify.

If you've not applied for this grant because of being put off by the 'ballache nature & time delay', then you might be in for a surprise and will be dismayed that you have been so blinkered.

 

[DaveGrohl]

Because the grants are only for certain items, that fit a required spec. The usual spec quoted for a min-til cultivator are to have 'at least 3 separate soil engaging parts' iirc, and most shortdiscs only have two. If you can find a set with some tines or harrows, then they might well qualify.

If you've not applied for this grant because of being put off by the 'ballache nature & time delay', then you might be in for a surprise and will be dismayed that you have been so blinkered.

Most short discs I’ve seen have 2 rows of discs plus a press/roller of some sort on the back. Are the RPA really that bad at maths?

Also, isn’t it less min-till and more max-till if there’s an additional row of tines or summat? Then there’s the weight of the machine to be lifted. We demoed a set of short discs with tined legs on the front recently. Only 3m but our tractors couldn’t lift it adequately, never mind pull the outfit.

So these grants are specifically aimed at big arable farms and contractors?

 

[Badshot]

Most short discs I’ve seen have 2 rows of discs plus a press/roller of some sort on the back. Are the RPA really that bad at maths?

Also, isn’t it less min-till and more max-till if there’s an additional row of tines or summat? Then there’s the weight of the machine to be lifted. We demoed a set of short discs with tined legs on the front recently. Only 3m but our tractors couldn’t lift it adequately, never mind pull the outfit.

So these grants are specifically aimed at big arable farms and contractors?

There's a fixed list of things available which they believe have a direct benefit to the environment or efficiency. They're not simply contributing to any new piece of kit anyone could wish for.

 

[neilo]

Most short discs I’ve seen have 2 rows of discs plus a press/roller of some sort on the back. Are the RPA really that bad at maths?

Also, isn’t it less min-till and more max-till if there’s an additional row of tines or summat? Then there’s the weight of the machine to be lifted. We demoed a set of short discs with tined legs on the front recently. Only 3m but our tractors couldn’t lift it adequately, never mind pull the outfit.

So these grants are specifically aimed at big arable farms and contractors?

The spec (or on the Welsh scheme anyway) meant you needed 3 different soil engaging parts. Some sets have a harrow bar between the discs and the roller, which would qualify.

The machine just has to fit whatever spec is in the scheme rules each time. There is no need to justify it, or have a discussion about what is min or max till, or whether your tractor is big enough or not.