RootWave’s eWeeder machine for orchards and vineyards is available with grant funding through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2024, with the company anticipating further support through the Combined Environment Land Management Offer.
The eWeeder uses electricity to control weeds and was one of the top scoring items for productivity and environmental benefit on the grant funding list, meaning that growers can claim the maximum £50,000.
CEO Andrew Diprose states the grant means that growers with 25 hectares of orchards and vineyards could save money versus their existing sprayer and herbicide programme. “The running costs for a RootWave eWeeder are tiny in comparison to herbicides. Before this grant was announced we knew medium and large growers could save money by switching to eWeeding, now smaller growers can too.”
The Combined Environment Land Management Offer means that growers may be eligible for an annual payment of £101 per hectare where the eWeeder is used instead of herbicides.
Andrew added: “eWeeding is the only weed control option that can outcompete herbicides on efficacy and cost. Growers can also access all the benefits of chemical-free weed control and for those in environmentally sensitive areas this can include further grant funding from other organisations such as water boards.”
For more information go to www.rootwave.com