TAMS II: tranche three closes Friday

The third tranche of Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme tranche two (TAMS II) closes this Friday 24 June for applications.

The next tranche of TAMS II will open on Sunday 26 June and is due to close at the end of September. Sheep fencing investment items were recently included in the current tranche of TAMS for applications.

ADVERTISEMENT

When a tranche closes, all applications are subject to an administrative check and must be analysed to make sure the correct paperwork accompanies the applications, the costings are correct, the detailed maps match the costings and any other relevant information is correct and available. The applications then go through a ranking system.

If all information is correct and there are no issues with the application, the Department will issue notice of approval to go ahead with an investment (this has been a slow process so far in the scheme). Farmers are allowed three years from the issue of approval to complete the investment.

GLAS: Low-input permanent pasture

Farmers who have opted for the low-input permanent pasture option in GLAS should note that parcels cannot be topped between 15 March and 15 July annually. The sward must be maintained by grazing predominantly and parcels in this option cannot be cut for hay or silage.

Maximum chemical nitrogen (N) usage is 40kg N/ha/year. According to the Department, pesticides are not permitted, except for spot treatment of noxious and invasive weeds and rushes.

Where present, rushes must be controlled either mechanically, by weed-wiping or by spot-spraying. While weed-wiping or spot-spraying can take place between 15 March and 15 July, topping to control rushes cannot take place between these dates.

GLAS: Protection of waterways from bovines

The deadline for fencing off waterways from bovines for farmers participating in GLAS is 31 July 2016. Participants must fence off lands a minimum of 1.5m from the top of the bank of the watercourse to exclude cattle.