Tree planting, hedgerow management, low emissions slurry spreading and catch crops are among the measures farmers will be paid for under the new Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), the Irish Farmers Journal can reveal.

With individual payment rates yet to be revealed, the financial gain to farmers, after costs are incurred, is unknown.

Landscape management practices, such as stone wall preservation and the protection of archaeological sites, will also be included in the measures, which are set to pay farmers up to €7,300 annually under the general entry route.

Actions to improve biodiversity on farms are included, with farmers to be paid for barn owl boxes, along with a range of measures including winter bird food plots, fallow land and over-winter stubble.

The scheme is to open for applications in October.