Northern Ireland Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme Now Open: Funding Available on Eligible Blaney Agri Machinery
July 20, 2026
Applications are now open for the Northern Ireland Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme, providing farmers with an opportunity to receive grant funding towards eligible machinery that improves productivity, efficiency and environmental sustainability.
If you’re considering investing in grassland management equipment, now is the ideal time to review your plans. Eligible Blaney Agri Grassland Aerators and Weed Wipers are included within the scheme, helping farmers improve grassland productivity, tackle soil compaction and manage weeds more efficiently.
Applications are now open and close on 3 September 2026, so early preparation is recommended.
What is the Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme?
The Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme has been introduced to help Northern Ireland farmers invest in equipment that improves the long-term sustainability and efficiency of their farming businesses.
By supporting investment in modern machinery, the scheme encourages better resource management, improved environmental performance and greater resilience for the future.
For many livestock farms, investing in grassland management equipment remains one of the most effective ways to improve productivity and maximise returns from existing land.
Eligible Blaney Agri Machinery
The current scheme includes eligible Blaney Agri Grassland Aerators (3 metres and above), together with selected Blaney Agri Weed Wipers, giving farmers access to proven machinery that helps improve both grassland productivity and weed control.
Grassland Aerators
Our Grassland Aerator range has been developed to tackle one of the biggest limitations to grass production – soil compaction.
The Aerator cuts through compacted layers of soil, creating fissures that improve the movement of oxygen, water and nutrients throughout the root zone.
The result is healthier grass, stronger root development and improved nutrient utilisation across the field.
Why Invest in Grassland Aeration?
Healthy grass starts with healthy soil.
Compaction caused by livestock, tractors and field operations can significantly reduce grass growth by limiting root development and restricting the movement of air and water through the soil.
Aeration helps to:
- Relieve soil compaction
- Improve drainage
- Increase root development
- Improve nutrient uptake
- Encourage healthier grass growth
- Reduce poaching in wet conditions
- Improve the efficiency of slurry and fertiliser applications
Rather than treating the symptoms of poor grass performance, aeration addresses one of the underlying causes, creating healthier soils that continue to perform year after year.
Improve Fertiliser Efficiency
With fertiliser continuing to represent one of the largest costs on many farms, making better use of every application is more important than ever.
Compacted soils often prevent nutrients moving into the root zone, increasing the likelihood of valuable fertiliser and slurry being lost through surface run-off.
The Blaney Agri Grassland Aerator helps nutrients penetrate the soil profile more effectively, allowing them to be absorbed by the crop instead of being washed away.
In fact, aeration can release the equivalent of up to 50kg of nitrates per hectare already locked within the soil, helping improve nutrient availability while reducing unnecessary fertiliser losses.
Proven Benefits for Grass Production
The benefits of aeration extend well beyond improving drainage.
Recent on-farm trials found that spring slit aeration increased grass production by approximately 0.8 tonnes per hectare, demonstrating the long-term value that improved soil structure can deliver.
For livestock farmers, producing more grass from existing land can reduce purchased feed requirements while improving both grazing performance and silage quality.
Smarter Weed Control with Blaney Agri Weed Wipers
The Northern Ireland Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme also provides funding on eligible Blaney Agri Weed Wipers, giving farmers another opportunity to improve grassland management.
Where weeds such as docks, thistles and rushes are scattered throughout productive pasture, blanket spraying isn’t always the most efficient solution.
Blaney Agri Weed Wipers apply herbicide directly onto taller weeds while leaving surrounding grass untouched, helping farmers target the problem without treating the entire field.
The result is more efficient herbicide use, lower chemical costs and healthier productive grassland.
For many livestock farmers, investing in both soil health and targeted weed control can deliver lasting improvements to pasture performance while reducing unnecessary input costs.
Why Choose Blaney Agri?
For more than 30 years, Blaney Agri has been designing machinery that helps farmers improve efficiency while getting more from every acre.
From Grassland Aerators that improve soil structure to Weed Wipers that deliver targeted weed control, every machine is built to withstand demanding working conditions while delivering reliable performance season after season.
Whether you’re replacing existing equipment or investing for the first time, our experienced team can help you select the right machine for your farm and make the most of the funding available.
Need a Quotation for Your Grant Application?
If you’re planning to apply for the Northern Ireland Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme, we’re here to help.
Our team can:
- Advise on eligible Blaney Agri machinery
- Help identify the right Grassland Aerator or Weed Wiper for your farm
- Recommend the most suitable specification for your application
- Provide a competitive quotation to support your grant application
- Answer any questions about the equipment
With applications closing on 3 September 2026, now is the ideal time to discuss your requirements.
Contact the Blaney Agri team today to request a quotation and make the most of the funding available through the Northern Ireland Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme.