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Since the launch of the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme in 2017, 844 applications have been lodged for approval to date.
Under the scheme, grant aid is available for a range items, including GPS sprayers and fertiliser spreaders, minimum tillage cultivation equipment and drills, grain dryers, potato handling equipment, grains stores, grain store dividing walls and rain water harvesting equipment.
Payment claims have been submitted in 202 cases where approved works have been completed. Total expenditure on this measure to date has exceeded €1.5m and this will increase as further payment claims are submitted and processed.
The top 10 investments
Figures recently released by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) show the top investments made by applicants since the scheme's launch.
Rollers and furrow presses remain the most popular investment, with mounted disc stubble cultivators in a close second.
Retrofitting GPS tractor steering kits are also featured in the top three investments. GPS trailed sprayers and mounted fertiliser spreaders have also received a high number of applications.
74 applications have been lodged for a cultivator-mounted seed broadcaster. Using this combination has become a popular method of establishing cover crops.
Another highlight on the list is that 40 applications have been lodged for a wheel-changing crate. Given the safety hazards associated with changing modern-day tractor tires without adequate wheel-changing equipment, this makes for positive news.
Third tranche deadline
The deadline for applications for the third trench of the scheme is this Friday 23 of Feburary. The fourth tranche will open soon after. A full list of eligible equipment and infrastructure can be found here.
Under TAMS II, individual farmers can apply for grant aid of 40% on investments up to a ceiling of €80,000. This increases to 60% for young farmers. Registered farm partnership can avail of grant aid to the value of €160,000. This applies to applications with two or more eligible partners.
Partnerships containing one qualifying or qualified young farmer, grant aid will be paid at 60% on the first €80,000 and at 40% for the remaining balance.
Who is eligible to apply?
The scheme is open to farmers who have a minimum of 15ha of eligible crops declared under the Basic Payment Scheme, or equivalent, in the year of application or previous year.
Deposit changes
The Department has recently clarified changes which were made in relation to deposits made on equipment through the scheme.
The new ruling means that deposits/expenditure paid on or after the date of submission of an application are considered eligible expenditure.
Where can you apply?
Applications for TAMS II must be made online. Clients will require access to the Department's online services prior to applying for TAMS II schemes.
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