Dairy farmers who are milking more than 120 cows look set to be excluded from grant supports for milking parlours and milking equipment under the new TAMS programme.

While the decision has not been confirmed by the Department of Agriculture, the Irish Farmers Journal understands that a 120-cow cap is likely to be imposed under the new TAMS regime.

The 120-cow cut-off is viewed as an attempt on the part of Government to limit grant aid to those dairy operations that are considered “family farms”.

It is understood that grant aid for other dairy equipment such as bulk tanks and heat detection collars will not be restricted by herd size.

The move has provoked an angry response from the IFA and ICMSA.

“It makes no sense that the sector of Irish agriculture with the highest percentage of viable farmers is being singled out and prevented from getting grant aid to invest in their farm businesses,” said IFA dairy chair Stephen Arthur.

Arthur said it made no sense to arbitrarily exclude a cohort of farmers who were attempting to make their operations more labour and energy efficient.

‘A new low’

ICMSA president Pat McCormack claimed the level of consultation and respect for farmers from Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and the Department will have reached “a new low” if the 120-cow TAMS cap is implemented.

The ICMSA leader accused the Government of consistently “placing barriers on dairy farmers” by excluding them from the fodder schemes and now TAMS.