£18m in nutrient management grants on offer in Wales

Farmers in Wales can apply for a share of £18m in the form of nutrient management grants, but they only have a few weeks to do so.

The scheme window for expressions of interest in the Nutrient Management Investment Scheme in Wales opened on 4 July.

The scheme offers capital grants to farmers to support investments that will enhance on-farm nutrient management to protect water, soil and air quality.

See also: Read the latest on grant schemes from Farmers Weekly

There is a list of eligible items to choose from, including slurry stores, slurry store covers, slurry spreading equipment, covered manure stores, GPS for precision farming, fuel tanks and bunds.

Equipment can be new or second-hand, as long as any used kit meets certain requirements.

The grant is for a maximum of 40% of the actual invoiced costs of a project, with the minimum grant award being £12,000 and the maximum £50,000.

Applications must be submitted by 12 August. 

An indicative budget of £15m has been allocated for this round of the scheme.

Yard coverings

The Small Grants Yard Coverings Scheme is also open for applications until 5 August.

This is also a capital scheme, with a budget of £3m, designed to support farmers to improve on-farm nutrient management by investing in improvements to existing on-farm infrastructure.

For example, support is provided to separate rainwater and slurry from areas such as livestock feeding and gathering areas, manure storage areas and slurry/silage stores.

The grant provides a maximum 40% contribution towards a standard cost of capital items that have been pre-identified as offering quantifiable benefits to farm businesses.

Second-hand equipment and materials are not eligible for this scheme.

The minimum grant award is £3,000 and the maximum is £12,000.

Applications must be submitted by 5 August.