The Department of Agriculture has released details for the €2.75m in funding that is being made available to encourage tillage farmers to grow additional fodder for livestock. The incentive is intended to replenish fodder supplies on farms after an extremely difficult 12 months.

The scheme will be available to all farmers who have tillage, but crops may only be grown on lands which are included in their 2018 BPS application. However, land already included as a catch crop in GLAS or under requirements for greening cannot qualify for an additional payment.

Forages grown must be to commercial requirements and are divided into two classes:

  • Brassicas: forage rape, stubble turnips and hybrids of rape/kale
  • Short-term grasses: Italian ryegrass, hybrid ryegrass and Westerwolds
  • Perennial ryegrass and other grass/seed mixes are ineligible. Areas planted with brassicas will receive a payment of €100/ha while short-term grasses will be granted €155/ha. These payment rates may be reduced if eligible applications in excess of the total budget are received.

    Growing requirements

    In both cases, the crop must be allowed to grow for a minimum of eight weeks before it is harvested. Short-term grasses must be maintained until at least 1 February while brassicas must be fully harvested or grazed before being removed.

    To qualify for the payment, farmers must grow a minimum of three hectares, while payments are capped at 50ha.

    Applications must be submitted before the close of business on Monday 17 September 2018.

    Inspections

    Also outlined are what the Department may check in the event of an on-farm inspection as well as an administration check for the measure.

    In the case of an on-farm inspection, the farmer will be required to display:

  • Seed purchase documentation.
  • Evidence crop was grown to commercial standard.
  • Proof it was available for grazing by livestock or harvested for own use or sale.
  • Where details on the submitted form are subject to an administrative check, the farmer may have to supply:

  • Seed purchase receipts
  • Proof of sale of fodder
  • Read more

    Details of €2.75m catch crop scheme announced

    Fodder production measure: eligibility details, crops and cut-off dates