Fencing Grants for Farmers in the UK (Updated for 2026)

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Fencing Grants, Water Pipe & Farm Infrastructure Grants for UK Farmers in 2026

Farmers in 2026 have access to several updated grant schemes that can help cover the cost of fencing, gates, water supply systems, livestock infrastructure and trackway improvements.

1. Capital Grants 2026 (Countryside Stewardship)

DEFRA has allocated £225 million for fencing, boundary improvements, water infrastructure and track upgrades. Funding caps include:

Applications open July 2026, with the full item list released in May and heavy emphasis on complete evidence at application time. Find out more information on how to apply for the Capital Grants 2026.

2. FETF 2026 (Farming Equipment & Technology Fund)

While FETF doesn’t directly pay for fencing, it offers £1,000–£25,000 per theme for equipment that often requires improved fencing, handling areas, gateways and water systems. Applications close 28 April 2026. Find out more information on how to apply for the FETF 2026.

3. Higher Tier & Infrastructure Grants 2026

For larger or specialist fencing projects, such as riverbank protection, habitat fencing, Deer fencing, anti-predator fencing or erosion‑control track surfacing, Higher Tier grants can offer substantial support. Find out more information on the Higher Tier Grants 2026.

4. SFI 2026 (Sustainable Farming Incentive)

SFI supports grazing management, watercourse protection and biodiversity—activities that often require new fencing, gateways, water troughs and pipework upgrades.

If you’re planning fencing, water supply or access improvements in 2026, now is the ideal time to check grant eligibility. Many options can significantly reduce material and installation costs.

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Fencing Grants for Farmers in the UK

Within the United Kingdom, the government provide financial incentives, such as fencing grants, for the agricultural sector to support farmers, woodland proprietors, foresters, and land overseers to safeguard and enhance the environment.

To prepare for investing in new fencing for the upcoming year, explore the available grants through the Countryside Stewardship (CS). Here we provide details on some of the eligible grants and application procedures with a focus on two key fencing grants in our sector, FG1 (fencing) and FG2 (sheep netting).

The information provided in this article is correct as of January 2024. Any updates made on the www.gov.uk website after this date will supersede.

Distinct sections categorize grants such as: CS Higher tier, CS Mid Tier, and Wildlife Offers, CS Capital Grants, and CS Facilitation Fund. Some of the grants in these categories may have deadlines for application. To find out more about grant deadlines, head over to the Countryside Stewardship on the UK Government website.

Which grant should I look at?

The two grants we will look into detail here are:

• FG1 – Fencing: which has been implemented to help control livestock, protect environmental features and maintain habitats.
• FG2 – Sheep Netting: which also helps habitat management and protects environmental features from Livestock.

Both of these fencing grants are available for CS Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Woodland Creation grants if one of the following applies:

• Where new fencing is required to meet the option grazing requirements in conjunction with habitat management or creation.
• To prevent water pollution caused by farming.
• To protect environmental features e.g. newly planted trees, buffer strips or field corners taken out of management.

Keeping records

Keeping records, taking pictures of the completed work, and retaining invoices and relevant consent or permissions are imperative for receiving the grant payment.

If neither of the above apply to you, take a look at the Countryside Stewardship grant finder on the government website to look at the vast array of grants on offer.

Grant ‘FG1’ – Fencing

What do you need to do for FG1?

For new agreements for this grant you must comply with the following:

• Remove all old fencing material before putting up the new fencing.
• Use softwood timber that is fully peeled, coated with wood preservative and pressure treated, or treated with an HSE approved industrial wood preservative (to comply with Use Class 4 (UC4) as defined in BS8417:2014 ‘Preservation of Wood – Code of Practice’. Untreated durable timber can be used as set out in the Forestry Commission guide to forest fencing. As an alternative to wooden fence posts, you can use metal fence posts. For Higher Tier, you should agree this with your Natural England Adviser or Forestry Commission Woodland Officer.
• Put up a fence at least 1.05m high.
• Use strands of galvanised 4mm mild plain steel wire or 2.5mm barbed wire or high tensile.
• Use enough strands to control the livestock.
• Use straining posts that are at least 125mm by 125mm square (or have a 125mm top diameter) and are at least 2.1m long, or at least 2.4m long for metal fence posts.
• Set the straining posts at least 1000mm into the ground, or at least 1100mm for metal fence posts, and no more than 150m apart if using mild steel or 600m apart for high tensile wire. See the British Standard 1722-2:2020 for suitable straining construction example.
• Place a straining post at every change of direction (horizontal or vertical) and at each end of the fence, with suitable bracing required to achieve stability.
• Use struts that are 75mm by 75mm square, or have a 75mm top diameter, and 2.1m long (or at least 1.8m long for metal fencing).
• Set the struts at least 450mm into the ground (or at least 700mm for metal fence posts) and mortise them into the straining post. Do not secure by a nail alone.
• Use intermediate posts that are 75mm by 75mm square (or have a 65mm top diameter) and 1.65m long (or at least 1.8m long for metal fencing).
• Set the posts at least 600mm in the ground (or at least 700mm for metal fence posts) and no more than 3.5m apart for mild steel, and 4.5 metres for high tensile steel.
• Make sure that all work meets the relevant British Standards – see copies of the most up-to-date standards for guidance.

What can you not do?

There are certain things you cannot do when undertaking work once applied for the grant:

• Cannot attach the fence to trees or hedgerows.
• Cannot block or restrict access to open access land.
• Cannot secure the wire to intermediate posts with hard staples, allowing for movement, contraction, and expansion in different temperatures.
• Cannot commence construction on historic or archaeological features as identified in the Historic Farm Environment Records (HEFER), or on a site where a fence has previously received a grant. To add, it won’t apply to a site where a fence has previously received a grant.

For full information about FG1, please look at the government FG1 page.

Grant ‘FG2’ – Sheep Netting

What you need to do for FG2?

For new agreements for this grant you must comply with the following:

• Remove all old fencing material before installing the new fencing.
• Use softwood timber that is fully peeled, coated with wood preservative, pressure-treated, or treated with an HSE-approved industrial wood preservative, meeting Use Class 4 as defined in BS8417:2014 ‘Preservation of Wood – Code of Practice’. Alternatively, use untreated durable timber per the Forestry Commission guide to forest fencing. Metal fence posts can be used as an option, subject to agreement with your Natural England Adviser or Forestry Commission Woodland Officer for Higher Tier applications.
• Install a steel wire mesh fence at a minimum height of 1.05m (finished height). Include additional strands of galvanized steel wire (plain or barbed) for extra height, if needed.
• Use straining posts with a top diameter of at least 125mm, or measuring 100mm by 100mm in cross-section when sawn.
• Ensure straining posts are at least 2.1m long, or at least 2.4m for metal fence posts.
• Space straining posts no more than 150m apart for mild steel line wire, or 600m apart for high tensile wire.
• Utilize a straining post at every change of direction (horizontal or vertical) and at each end of the fence.
• Mortice struts into the straining post at an angle of no more than 45 degrees, avoiding reliance on nails alone.
• Use intermediate posts with a top diameter of at least 65mm, or measuring 75mm by 75mm when sawn.

What can you not do?

Similar to the FG1 grant there are certain regulations that must be adhered to:

• Cannot attach the fence to trees or hedgerows
• Cannot block or restrict access to open access land
• Cannot secure the wire to intermediate posts with hard staples, allowing movement, contraction and expansion in different temperatures
• Cannot commence construction is on historic or archaeological features as identified in the Historic Farm Environment Records (HEFER), or on a site where a fence has previously received a grant. To add, it won’t apply to a site where a fence has previously received a grant.

For full information about FG2, please look at the government FG2 page.

Environmental Benefits

CS is supporting the government’s plan to improve the environment. This further supports DEFRA’s strategic objective of a ‘cleaner, healthier environment, benefiting people and the economy.’ Agri-environment Evidence Program found that CS scheme options are well-located and well-implemented. Under other themes it found:

Biodiversity – There is a larger scope for mid-tier agreements to improve biodiversity.

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation – CS works well in finding and managing climate vulnerable features. On the whole mid-tier and higher tier schemes resulted in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

The program also found benefits to the support protection of resources (water and soil), Historic environments and character of landscapes.

Disclaimer

It is the person or company applying for the grants responsibility to check if they are eligible. They must make sure that they follow the due process and rules. David Musson Fencing Ltd is not liable in any way for any errors or omissions in this, or any other article.