Farmers interested in joining a knowledge transfer discussion group in their area must sign up before 30 June.
Applications can only be made through agricultural advisers who are approved knowledge transfer facilitators.
A list of approved facilitators is available on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website.
There are six different knowledge transfer programmes open to farmers in these sectors: beef, dairy, sheep, tillage, poultry and equine. Farmers are also permitted to join a maximum of two groups.
When signing up for one of these groups, it is important that you understand the full terms and conditions of the programme, as it is a three-year commitment you are making to the group.
The requirement to maintain overall numbers of animals on the farm for the duration of the programme may be problematic for some farmers, for example.
Groups must consist of a minimum of 12 members and a maximum of 18 members.
While participants are not obliged to hold a meeting on their own farm, they have to attend five group meetings or four group meetings and one approved national event each year to comply.
There must also be 60% attendance at all the meetings for it to be considered valid.
If you are unable to attend a meeting, you can have a nominee attend the meeting on your behalf.
However, the nominee must be nominated by the participant on applying for the programme, as they are not permitted to join the programme after the application has been made.
Farmers can join two different groups such as dairy and beef. However, there will be a reduced payment linked to the second group.
An annual payment of €750 will apply to the first application made, as this is determined as the primary sector.
The second application for a different sector will be eligible for a €375 payment per annum.
However, both are subject to penalties in relation to non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the programme.
Each different scheme has its own requirements. However, there are requirements that are common throughout all the schemes.
Farm Improvement Plan (FIP) – A tailored FIP must be completed by all participants by the end of the first scheme year. Its aim is to address issues such as profitability, sustainability, animal health and welfare and farm safety. Farmers in the beef, dairy and sheep programmes are required to sign up to the ICBF in order to complete their FIP. Profitability and financial management – Carried out by the use of an eProfit monitor, which must be completed in each of the three years of the scheme. This programme allows you to look in detail at the financial performance of your farm. Health and safety – A health and safety document must be completed in the first year of the programme and updated throughout the duration of the programme, highlighting areas of danger on the farm and how they can be addressed. Farm progression plan – Farmers must undertake a meeting on the progression of the farm. Animal health and management plan (excluding tillage) – An animal health plan must be completed with an approved vet in year one of the programme and updated in years two and three.
Farmers interested in joining a knowledge transfer discussion group in their area must sign up before 30 June.
Applications can only be made through agricultural advisers who are approved knowledge transfer facilitators.
A list of approved facilitators is available on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website.
There are six different knowledge transfer programmes open to farmers in these sectors: beef, dairy, sheep, tillage, poultry and equine. Farmers are also permitted to join a maximum of two groups.
When signing up for one of these groups, it is important that you understand the full terms and conditions of the programme, as it is a three-year commitment you are making to the group.
The requirement to maintain overall numbers of animals on the farm for the duration of the programme may be problematic for some farmers, for example.
Groups must consist of a minimum of 12 members and a maximum of 18 members.
While participants are not obliged to hold a meeting on their own farm, they have to attend five group meetings or four group meetings and one approved national event each year to comply.
There must also be 60% attendance at all the meetings for it to be considered valid.
If you are unable to attend a meeting, you can have a nominee attend the meeting on your behalf.
However, the nominee must be nominated by the participant on applying for the programme, as they are not permitted to join the programme after the application has been made.
Farmers can join two different groups such as dairy and beef. However, there will be a reduced payment linked to the second group.
An annual payment of €750 will apply to the first application made, as this is determined as the primary sector.
The second application for a different sector will be eligible for a €375 payment per annum.
However, both are subject to penalties in relation to non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the programme.
Each different scheme has its own requirements. However, there are requirements that are common throughout all the schemes.
Farm Improvement Plan (FIP) – A tailored FIP must be completed by all participants by the end of the first scheme year. Its aim is to address issues such as profitability, sustainability, animal health and welfare and farm safety. Farmers in the beef, dairy and sheep programmes are required to sign up to the ICBF in order to complete their FIP. Profitability and financial management – Carried out by the use of an eProfit monitor, which must be completed in each of the three years of the scheme. This programme allows you to look in detail at the financial performance of your farm. Health and safety – A health and safety document must be completed in the first year of the programme and updated throughout the duration of the programme, highlighting areas of danger on the farm and how they can be addressed. Farm progression plan – Farmers must undertake a meeting on the progression of the farm. Animal health and management plan (excluding tillage) – An animal health plan must be completed with an approved vet in year one of the programme and updated in years two and three. 
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