Farming Equipment and Technology Grants

Thames Water Catchment Fund: up to £15,000 towards a Ryetec Restorer

Farming in the Thames Water region? You could get up to 50% of the cost of a Ryetec Restorer subsoiler funded through the Thames Water Catchment Fund.

Why a Ryetec Restorer?

Compaction from heavy machinery, wet harvests and grazing creates a hidden pan that holds back roots, traps water and increases run-off. The Ryetec Restorer range breaks up that compaction with minimal surface disturbance. It opens up the soil so water can drain, air can get in and roots can grow deeper. The result is healthier soil, better crops and grassland, and less run-off carrying nutrients and chemicals into local watercourses.

What is the Catchment Fund?

The Thames Water Catchment Fund supports farmers and landowners in its priority catchment areas. It funds measures that protect rivers and drinking water sources from herbicide and nitrate pollution.

Thames Water has advised that our Restorer range can be applied for under the Catchment Fund’s “Farmer innovation – equipment” option.

How much funding is available?

- Up to 50% of the cost of the machine, excluding VAT

- Up to £15,000 per farm business

- Next deadline: 30 November 2026. Applications close at the end of May and November each year.

Which Ryetec machines are suitable?

Who can apply?

To be eligible, you need to:

1. Farm in an eligible area. That means one of Thames Water’s priority river or groundwater catchments. You can check the maps in the Nitrate and Herbicides handbooks.

2. Explain how the machine will help protect water. Your application needs to show how using it will reduce the risk of herbicides washing into watercourses, or of herbicides or nitrates leaching into groundwater.

Compacted soil makes rain run off the surface instead of soaking in, and that run-off can carry herbicides and nutrients into nearby watercourses. Restorer machines relieve compaction with minimal surface disturbance, which improves drainage and reduces run-off.

How to apply

1. Check that your farm is in a priority catchment using the handbook maps.

2. Get in touch with Thames Water. Email the Catchment Projects team at [email protected]. They’ll put you in touch with your local project partner, a farm advisor who can give you the latest application form and help you build a strong application.

3. Submit your completed form to [email protected] before the 30 November.

Talk to us

Want help choosing the right Restorer for your farm, or a quote to include with your application? Contact Ryetec on 01944728186 or [email protected] or speak to your local Ryetec dealer.

Funding decisions are made by Thames Water. Eligibility depends on your location and your application. Ryetec cannot guarantee that funding will be awarded.