Updated reference costs will be in place for all eligible applications submitted in tranche 10 of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3).
The tranche opened for applications on 10 September.
“A thorough examination of all reference costs has taken place to ensure that they reflect market costs for the construction of farm buildings and facilities, and farm equipment. This examination is based on a comparison with receipted costs to ensure the revised costs are an accurate reflection of the current situation,” Minster for Agriculture Martin Heydon said.
Analysis by the Irish Farmers Journal had shown deficits of 10-30% for many items, with increased concrete costs being the primary culprit, while automatic calf feeders and automatic slurry scrapers had also been historically low.
Slatted/cubicle sheds have seen reference costs increase by 10%, while calf housing and dry bedded sheep sheds have both risen by 20%.
However, there have been no changes as of yet to the tank costings for the storage of slurry, despite the majority of other livestock housing investments increasing by at least 10%.
Some other items of note that have seen a change in reference costs are automatic calf feeders and automatic slurry scrapers, with slurry scrapers rising by 25% while a four-station calf feeder now holds a reference cost 26% higher than previously.
However, not all costs have risen, with many cattle handling investments seeing a slip of 10% in reference costs.
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