Maximising Spot Spraying and Variable Rate Fertiliser with FETF Grants and SFI Funding
- Jack Harris
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
With funding windows approaching and the latest SFI options soon to be available, many farmers are asking the same question:
What precision farming investment will genuinely improve efficiency — and actually pay for itself?
With the right technology, you can reduce fertiliser and agrochemical use, improve application accuracy, and access both capital grants and per-hectare payments.
In this blog, we break down two precision farming technologies that:
Improve input efficiency
Reduce costs
Strengthen environmental compliance
Qualify for both FETF funding and SFI payments
Understanding FETF and SFI Funding
What is FETF (Farming Equipment and Technology Fund)?
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) supports farmers with upfront grant funding towards approved equipment that improves productivity and sustainability.
In simple terms:
You purchase eligible precision equipment.
The grant contributes towards the capital cost.
You immediately benefit from efficiency gains.
This reduces the initial financial barrier to adopting precision agriculture technology.
What is SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive)?
The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) works differently.
Rather than supporting the purchase, SFI pays farmers per hectare for implementing precision farming practices over a three-year agreement.
This means:
You invest in precision technology.
You get paid annually for using it properly.
Your return on investment accelerates significantly.
When combined, FETF lowers the entry cost and SFI improves cash flow — dramatically shortening payback periods.
CropSpec from Topcon Agriculture FETF Grants and SFI Funding
What is CropSpec?
CropSpec is a real-time crop sensing system that measures biomass and chlorophyll levels using optical sensor technology. It enables live variable rate fertiliser application based on crop need — not guesswork.
Instead of blanket-applying nitrogen, you apply exactly what the crop requires as you travel through the field.
Key Benefits for Arable Farmers FETF Grants and SFI Funding
✅ Live variable rate fertiliser application
✅ Accurate biomass and chlorophyll measurement
✅ User-defined nitrogen strategies
✅ Auto scan mode during other field operations
✅ As Applied Data syncs to the Topcon Agriculture Platform (TAP)
Why Variable Rate Fertiliser MattersFETF Grants and SFI Fun
Fertiliser is one of the highest variable costs on arable farms. Applying too much reduces margins and increases environmental risk. Applying too little risks yield penalties.
Variable rate fertiliser application:
Reduces waste
Improves nitrogen use efficiency
Optimises yield potential
Supports environmental compliance
Funding Available for CropSpecFETF Grants and SFI Fun
FETF 425 – Up to £5,340 towards the cost of CropSpec sensors
SFI PRF1 – £27 per hectare per year for variable rate nutrient application (3-year agreement)
Smart Striker X from Carbon Bee
What is Smart Striker X?
Smart Striker X is an advanced AI-based spot spray system that detects weeds in real time and activates nozzles only where weeds are present.
Unlike traditional systems that operate only in “green on brown” situations, Smart Striker X works in:
Green on brown
Green on green (within growing crops like Sugar Beet, Potatoes, Maize, Grassland and more)
This dramatically increases its practical use throughout the season.
Key Benefits for Farmers
✅ Identifies weeds within the crop canopy
✅Spot sprays in real time
✅Save up to 90% on agrochemical inputs
✅Weed mapping functionality
✅Data sync via HIVE online platform
Why Spot Spraying Makes Financial Sense
Herbicide costs continue to rise, and resistance pressures are increasing.
Spot spraying:
Reduces chemical spend
Lowers environmental impact
Improves stewardship
Future-proof against tighter regulation
Funding Available for Smart Striker X
FETF 425 – Up to £23,000 towards the cost
SFI PRF2 – £43 per hectare per year for precision spot spraying (3-year agreement)
Why Precision Farming Investment Makes Sense Now
Rising fertiliser and agrochemical costs
Increased environmental regulation
Focus on nutrient use efficiency
Availability of FETF funding
Ongoing SFI per-hectare payments
Precision agriculture technology is no longer just about innovation — it’s about protecting margins.
Invest in Efficiency, Not Just Grants
While FETF and SFI funding significantly improve ROI, these technologies should be viewed as long-term business improvements — not just grant opportunities.
The real value lies in:
Lower input costs
Better data
Improved sustainability
Stronger margins
Greater resilience to market volatility
With funding windows opening soon, now is the time to assess whether precision fertiliser application and AI spot spraying could transform your farm’s efficiency. For grant-related questions or enquiries, get in touch with Encompass Ag.
If you'd like help calculating a tailored ROI for your own farm size and cropping system, get in touch with us at FieldCraft Technologies — we can run the numbers based on your real input costs and acreage.
If you would like to know more about Cropspec from Topcon, get in touch with LH Agro.
*SFI Funding is assumed. SFI is potentially opening to farmers under 50ha or who have not had funding before, before being released to the wider farming community (possibly in September)
