More than €1.7m has been issued to tillage farmers under the Fodder Production Incentive Measure.

The scheme, which was introduced by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to alleviate some of the acute fodder shortage caused by last summer’s drought, was the first of its kind.

Total funding

A total of 1,701 farmers applied for almost €2.3m in funding under the measure.

Three-quarters of those farmers who applied planted brassica crops, which were eligible for a payment of €100/ha.

Short-term grasses attracted a larger incentive of €150/ha, with 595 farmers taking this option.

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that some 1,417 farmers have been paid under the scheme to date, amounting to €1.73m.

Inspections

Around 5% of farmers were selected for inspection in late 2018 and all on-farm inspections are now complete.

A Department spokesman said that further applications will be cleared for payment when all necessary information is provided by the farmers in question.

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