Farmers have just a week left to submit a valid claim for payment under the Calf Investment Scheme (CIS), with the closing date of 30 September 2020 fast approaching. Payment claims lodged after this date will be subject to a 5% reduction of aid per week, or part thereof received late up to a maximum of four weeks.

The terms and conditions of the scheme state that claims received on or after 29 October 2020 will result in rejection of the claim and zero payment. Any supporting documentation must be submitted with the claim for payment.

There were over 2,300 applications approved under CIS. Payments under the scheme started on Friday 7 August. Grant aid will be paid at a rate of 40% up to the maximum investment ceiling of €7,500, which delivers a maximum payment of €3,000.

Eligible equipment includes calf feeding systems such as computerised calf feeders, milk carts with mixer included and calf teat feeders

Applicants should also take note that the minimum amount of investment for approval under the scheme is €1,000 per application.

This element may come into play where farmers originally applied for a higher quantity of equipment, but then decided to invest in a lower quantity. Grant aid per investment item will be calculated on the basis of the lowest of the following amounts:

  • The Department’s reference costings applicable at the date of approval.
  • The total of the eligible invoices marked “paid”, net of VAT.
  • The cost of the approved investment.
  • Eligible equipment

    Eligible equipment includes calf feeding systems such as computerised calf feeders, milk carts with mixer included and calf teat feeders.

    If a farmer applied to purchase one of these items, they were also eligible to receive support for the purchase of other items, such as calf milk heaters, calf forage/hay racks, calf meal troughs, calf feed barriers and calf pen dividers.

    Note, a serial number must be clearly displayed and permanently attached on computerised calf feeders.

    Queries of a technical nature relating to the specifications should be submitted by email to cis@agriculture.gov.ie.