Farmers in England can apply for DEFRA’s Slurry Infrastructure Grant until September 30th. This grant offers £25,000 – £250,000, which can cover 50% of building slurry stores, covers and other equipment. 

Proper slurry stores help farmers follow laws and regulations, and improve or expand their farm’s slurry storage capacity. Slurry store covers prevent rainwater from getting in and prevent pollution. The grant can fund other equipment, including tanks, lagoons, reception pits, pumps and agitators. See the detailed specs here.

Grant Requirements

This slurry grant can be used to improve, cover, or expand current slurry stores to reach the grant storage requirements. The requirements are:

• 6 months of slurry storage for beef and dairy cattle
• 8 months of slurry storage for pigs

Grant eligibility requirements:

• Your farm is located in England
• Your farm already produces slurry
• You farm pigs, beef or dairy cattle
• You keep slurry covers on all the time except for maintenance
• You do not fall below the grant storage requirements for 5 years
• You produce and use a nutrient management plan based on soil samples
• Your slurry store is built on land you own, or farm as a tenant

These rules are part of the grant agreement. If you don’t follow them, you might have to pay back the grant.

Benefits of Slurry

Slurry is great for sustainable farming. Unlike synthetic fertilisers, slurry provides organic nutrients that are released slowly into the soil over time. Slurry helps to boost soil quality, and improves water retention and root development, leading to better crops.

An efficient slurry storage system helps to retain those organic nutrients and protect the environment as well as meet legal requirements. 

You can apply for the Slurry Infrastructure Grant by September 30th, 2024 on the UK Government website here.