New Holland have teamed up for a second year with The Prince’s Countryside Fund for the ‘Up to Speed’ scheme offering three aspiring farmers the opportunity to win the loan of a New Holland machine for a year.

JB Gill, JLS band member, farmer and ambassador for The Prince’s Countryside Fund

The scheme is now open for applications. The Fund and New Holland say they are looking forward to working together again to ensure that forward-thinking farmers can get their business ‘Up to Speed’. The scheme is open to any British farmer who can justify how the loan of a New Holland machine will help their business develop and become ‘Up to Speed’.

This may be:

• A new entrant who could use the machine to kickstart their business.
• An existing farmer who is looking to become more efficient on farm.
• A farmer who is looking to develop and/or diversify their current enterprise.

There are three different New Holland machines available for loan: a Boomer Compact Tractor, a T6 Tractor, and a TH Telehandler. Applicants must be aged 18 and over, with a British driving or tractor licence, a UK citizen with a UK passport and a resident in the UK.

To apply entrants must  fill in an application form and upload a short supporting video explaining why they deserve the machine.

JB Gill, JLS band member, farmer and ambassador for The Prince’s Countryside Fund said, “A year ago I launched the ‘Up to Speed’ scheme with The Prince’s Countryside Fund and New Holland and recently, I heard first-hand how much difference the New Holland machines have made (and still are making) to the businesses of the 2020 winners."

Rob David, 2020 ‘Up to Speed’ Scheme winner, said, “I won the loan of a New Holland T6.165 tractor through the ‘Up to Speed’ scheme. In May, I took on some extra land, which I would not have considered without the New Holland tractor. Since then, the extra land has allowed me to buy some cattle and more breeding ewes too. The tractor has given me so much more freedom, saved me time and money – and just made life much easier! In the nine months I’ve had the tractor so far it has enabled my business to grow. I’d urge everyone to apply!”

Pat Smith, New Holland business director UK said, “We are very excited to be teaming up with The Prince’s Countryside Fund for a second year. This is a unique opportunity for three forward-thinking farmers in the UK. We at New Holland are very proud to be the major tractor manufacturer in the UK, we value our heritage here in Basildon, Essex, and we are dedicated to supporting British agriculture and British farmers. Following the success of our first year of the scheme, we look forward to supporting the next three lucky beneficiaries!”

Applications open at 12pm on 1st February 2021, and close at midnight on Monday 1st March 2021. Find out more here.