FETF 2026 Funding: Eligible Sheep Handling & Weighing Solutions from Shepherdsmate

The 2026 Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) is a significant opportunity for sheep farmers in England to invest in high-specification equipment with government support. By focusing on animal health and welfare, this grant aims to improve flock productivity while making daily tasks safer and more efficient for the operator.

At Shepherdsmate, our systems are built to meet these rigorous standards, ensuring your investment not only qualifies for funding but stands the test of time on the farm.

Key Dates & How to Apply

The application window for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2026 officially opens on 17 March 2026. Farmers and contractors have a limited time to submit their applications, as the window will close at midday on 28 April 2026.

Because this is a competitive process based on a scoring system, it is vital to apply early. You can find the full details and the application portal on the official FETF 2026 guidance page. For a comprehensive list of eligible machinery and technical requirements, refer to the Animal Health and Welfare items and specifications.

Eligible Shepherdsmate Equipment

Our equipment is engineered using hot-dipped galvanised steel and stainless-steel fixings, meeting the “durable material” requirements set out in the 2026 guidance.

Mobile Sheep Handling Systems

The Shepherdsmate Mobile Unit is a complete solution for managing sheep across multiple sites. To qualify, systems must be trailer-mounted and include a gathering pen, forcing pen, and side pens. Our unit is road-legal, features a fast setup (no wheel removal required), and integrates a 3-way drafting race, making it a perfect match for this category.

Sheep Handlers: Clamps and Rollovers

For routine tasks like dosing, tagging, and foot care, the grant supports dedicated handlers.

• The Squeeze Clamp: Our adjustable, rubber-coated clamp allows for one-person operation, holding the sheep securely at hand height.
• The Rollover Crate: Ideal for intensive foot paring, our rollover is fully adjustable to suit any sheep size and is designed to prevent operator back strain.

Automatic Weighing & Drafting

Precision management is a core goal of the 2026 fund. Eligible systems must be able to record individual weights and track live weight gains. Our handling race features a chequered plate floor fitted with four load cells and is fully compatible with industry-standard EID readers and weigh indicators.

Standalone Sheep Race

If you are upgrading a static yard, the standalone race is a versatile choice. To meet grant requirements, the race must include at least one guillotine gate and one drafting gate. Our modular race sections, including the 3-way drafting gate and anti-backing flaps, can be configured to meet these specific length and gate requirements.

EID Readers & Electronic Weighing

The fund supports the adoption of technology to monitor performance. We offer and support the integration of EID Panel Readers (race-mounted) and Handheld EID Devices (stick readers) that meet the wireless connectivity standards required by the RPA.