The Farm Business Grant scheme, which opened on 2 May, is offering grants of between £3,000 and £12,000 to farmers looking to invest in a range of capital items – from livestock handling systems through to GPS units.

Matthew Martin, farm consultant in the Shrewsbury office of Strutt & Parker, said producers would be able to apply for funding on a range of equipment that the government has decided offers benefits to farm businesses and the wider environment.

“The Welsh Government has produced a list of about 70 items that are eligible for the scheme which includes mobile or fixed handling systems, EID hand-held devices, trailing shoe slurry systems and variable rate controllers for sprayers and fertiliser spreaders,” he said.

“The idea is that these are items which will improve technical performance, bring financial benefits and also help people to farm in a more energy-efficient way. Improved handling facilities could also be beneficial in terms of animal welfare and the health and safety of the operator.”