This is a subscriber-only article
Applications are now active for TAMS for the tillage sector, but farmers may have to wait for six months to receive confirmation of approval and payment.
No investment can be made until that point.
While there was a widespread welcome for the scheme, the timeline means no grant-aided equipment will be on farms until the autumn planting season.
No approvals till closing
This is because no approval of an application can be given until after the closing date for applications of 30 June.
This is due to how the scheme operates.
In total, €26m is available to arable farmers in this tranche of TAMS.
That would equate to a total of €65m of gross investment by farmers at the 40% standard grant rate- a considerable chunk of money for the sector.
Ranking by points
Should the scheme be over-subscribed, approval is not on a first-come, first-served basis, as a complex points scheme ranks applications.
The Department must wait until applications have closed before beginning this process.
Young farmers are eligible for a higher level of grant-aid, at 60%, but it is unconfirmed as to whether they will be accommodated through this fund or a separate young-farmer TAMS, due to open on 7 April. The maximum investment level is €80,000.
Online applications
Applications must be made online, through the Agfood portal. Farmers must have at least 15ha under arable crops in either this year or last.
Investment items covered in TAMS II tillage scheme
How to: make a Tillage Capital Investment Scheme application
SHARING OPTIONS: