To date, there have been no details from the Department as to what the provisions of the scheme will be or when applications will open, leaving tillage farmers uncertain how to approach it.
Chris Bourns, Co Galway
“I will be participating in the TAMS for tillage programme. I haven’t heard of many people within the local area participating, however. At the moment it’s early days and there isn’t much information out there, so I’m not sure exactly what it is I am applying for,” said Chris.
Hopefully it will give a bit of a boost to the sector
“Financially, it has the makings of a good scheme. Tillage farmers are long enough waiting in the line, there are no other incentives for us at the moment and hopefully it will give a bit of a boost to the sector, in order to continue on in the business.”
Under the proposed scheme, farmers could receive a 40% grant and if young farmers participate, 60%. Chris is eligible for the young farmer grant and intends to claim the 60% incentive. He welcomes the financial aid but says in line with the current grain crisis, farmers should be receiving a grant of 99%, not 60%.
“The help of the banks is definitely needed. The money is there to be got, but getting it can be the problem,” said Chris. “My motto is it costs money to make money.”
Gilbert Smyth, Co Carlow
Gilbert is a tillage farmer and agricultural contractor in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow. He says he will be taking part in the tillage scheme but says farmers need to know the full details before applying.
“Tillage farmers are always left behind. Every other sector gets grants and financial aid and we’re always last on the list, so this programme is long overdue. I’ve seen a small bit of interest from neighbours and people in the area, but nothing major.”
Gilbert says that although the 40% money back is a great enticement for farmers, it is still unclear where the other 60% come from? Farm incomes have plummeted in recent times, leaving farmers struggling for money.
As part of TAMS, it is reported that farmers would receive investment for building of grain stores and storage sheds. Yet Gilbert claims that due to the financial pressure on tillage farmers around the country, they won’t be able to afford to build grain stores or purchase large-scale equipment, even with the financial aid.
Farmers can’t put up a new grain store with the way prices are at present
Gilbert has expressed interest in purchasing a GPS system for a sprayer and says the only interest he has seen from fellow tillage farmers in the area is to purchase smaller items to improve on what they already have. “Farmers can’t put up a new grain store with the way prices are at present. There is no point – it wouldn’t be worth their while,” he added.
Gilbert is also calling for a definite announcement from the Department on the matter; he says clarification is badly needed. “Red tape is killing these schemes and programmes. For example, under TAMS II, sheep farmers had to install a certain type of sheep fencing on their land. This type of fencing was too high a spec for farmers – all it did was make money for the contractors.”
He concludes that it is very difficult for farmers to spend money, when tillage prices are in their current state.
Ciaran Hickey, business and technology adviser at Teagasc, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford
As part of his role as an adviser at Teagasc, it is Ciaran’s job to assist farmers in applying for schemes, including TAMS. He says that like many involved, he is waiting to see more announcements from the Department.
“Any queries I’ve had so far are related to farmers interested in the GPS-type equipment. It is a positive scheme and I do welcome it, but details are thin on the ground. It’s an awkward time for tillage farmers at present. They’re all so busy with the harvest and pre-occupied with prices that they haven’t had time to look at TAMS.”
Ciaran’s advice to farmers is to take their time and see exactly what they need: “Farmers can apply as many times as they want. Have a look around the yard and determine what is it you need, familiarise yourself with the tranches in the TAMS setup and speak to your Teagasc advisers.”
James Hegarty, Whitechurch, Co Cork
James is urging the Department to make an official comment sooner rather than later and clear up all the speculation.
He expressed his anger with the progress of the scheme and said it was ridiculous how long the process had been dragged out for.
This has been going on for two years, it is a farce
“This has been going on for two years, it is a farce,” he said. “The Department should be ashamed of themselves.”
James went on to say that the scheme could be successful, if it is done in the right way.
No date has been announced yet as to when the application process will begin, with speculation that it may be the end of this year. James said it might be ready before the year is out, but is not counting on it. “This is another indication of how the Government views tillage farmers – they only see us as producers of feed for cattle and this needs to be changed,” he stressed.
Previous Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney announced plans for the scheme two years ago, but to date, there still has been no progress on the matter. James said that if the plan had been finalised last year he could have applied as a young farmer and got 60% grant aid, but due to the slow rate of progress, has missed out on the incentive.
“Last year my neighbour got 60% of his money back for installing a new milking parlour on his dairy farm. To date, we’ve got nothing. All we want in the tillage industry is a level playing field for all. At the moment, all tillage farmers are worried about is survival and putting crops in the field, rather than TAMS.”
Read more
Political intervention needed in tillage sector, says IFA
Farmers hold protest over grain prices at Limerick port
To date, there have been no details from the Department as to what the provisions of the scheme will be or when applications will open, leaving tillage farmers uncertain how to approach it.
Chris Bourns, Co Galway
“I will be participating in the TAMS for tillage programme. I haven’t heard of many people within the local area participating, however. At the moment it’s early days and there isn’t much information out there, so I’m not sure exactly what it is I am applying for,” said Chris.
Hopefully it will give a bit of a boost to the sector
“Financially, it has the makings of a good scheme. Tillage farmers are long enough waiting in the line, there are no other incentives for us at the moment and hopefully it will give a bit of a boost to the sector, in order to continue on in the business.”
Under the proposed scheme, farmers could receive a 40% grant and if young farmers participate, 60%. Chris is eligible for the young farmer grant and intends to claim the 60% incentive. He welcomes the financial aid but says in line with the current grain crisis, farmers should be receiving a grant of 99%, not 60%.
“The help of the banks is definitely needed. The money is there to be got, but getting it can be the problem,” said Chris. “My motto is it costs money to make money.”
Gilbert Smyth, Co Carlow
Gilbert is a tillage farmer and agricultural contractor in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow. He says he will be taking part in the tillage scheme but says farmers need to know the full details before applying.
“Tillage farmers are always left behind. Every other sector gets grants and financial aid and we’re always last on the list, so this programme is long overdue. I’ve seen a small bit of interest from neighbours and people in the area, but nothing major.”
Gilbert says that although the 40% money back is a great enticement for farmers, it is still unclear where the other 60% come from? Farm incomes have plummeted in recent times, leaving farmers struggling for money.
As part of TAMS, it is reported that farmers would receive investment for building of grain stores and storage sheds. Yet Gilbert claims that due to the financial pressure on tillage farmers around the country, they won’t be able to afford to build grain stores or purchase large-scale equipment, even with the financial aid.
Farmers can’t put up a new grain store with the way prices are at present
Gilbert has expressed interest in purchasing a GPS system for a sprayer and says the only interest he has seen from fellow tillage farmers in the area is to purchase smaller items to improve on what they already have. “Farmers can’t put up a new grain store with the way prices are at present. There is no point – it wouldn’t be worth their while,” he added.
Gilbert is also calling for a definite announcement from the Department on the matter; he says clarification is badly needed. “Red tape is killing these schemes and programmes. For example, under TAMS II, sheep farmers had to install a certain type of sheep fencing on their land. This type of fencing was too high a spec for farmers – all it did was make money for the contractors.”
He concludes that it is very difficult for farmers to spend money, when tillage prices are in their current state.
Ciaran Hickey, business and technology adviser at Teagasc, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford
As part of his role as an adviser at Teagasc, it is Ciaran’s job to assist farmers in applying for schemes, including TAMS. He says that like many involved, he is waiting to see more announcements from the Department.
“Any queries I’ve had so far are related to farmers interested in the GPS-type equipment. It is a positive scheme and I do welcome it, but details are thin on the ground. It’s an awkward time for tillage farmers at present. They’re all so busy with the harvest and pre-occupied with prices that they haven’t had time to look at TAMS.”
Ciaran’s advice to farmers is to take their time and see exactly what they need: “Farmers can apply as many times as they want. Have a look around the yard and determine what is it you need, familiarise yourself with the tranches in the TAMS setup and speak to your Teagasc advisers.”
James Hegarty, Whitechurch, Co Cork
James is urging the Department to make an official comment sooner rather than later and clear up all the speculation.
He expressed his anger with the progress of the scheme and said it was ridiculous how long the process had been dragged out for.
This has been going on for two years, it is a farce
“This has been going on for two years, it is a farce,” he said. “The Department should be ashamed of themselves.”
James went on to say that the scheme could be successful, if it is done in the right way.
No date has been announced yet as to when the application process will begin, with speculation that it may be the end of this year. James said it might be ready before the year is out, but is not counting on it. “This is another indication of how the Government views tillage farmers – they only see us as producers of feed for cattle and this needs to be changed,” he stressed.
Previous Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney announced plans for the scheme two years ago, but to date, there still has been no progress on the matter. James said that if the plan had been finalised last year he could have applied as a young farmer and got 60% grant aid, but due to the slow rate of progress, has missed out on the incentive.
“Last year my neighbour got 60% of his money back for installing a new milking parlour on his dairy farm. To date, we’ve got nothing. All we want in the tillage industry is a level playing field for all. At the moment, all tillage farmers are worried about is survival and putting crops in the field, rather than TAMS.”
Read more
Political intervention needed in tillage sector, says IFA
Farmers hold protest over grain prices at Limerick port
SHARING OPTIONS