Farmers should be aware that the deadline for applications for the fodder production incentive measure is by close of business Monday 17 September 2018.

According to the Department farmers are required to have seed purchase documentation, fertiliser receipts and other supporting documentation, such as contractor invoices (if applicable), proof of sale of fodder (if applicable), etc, available on the holding. These may be requested as part of Department administrative on-farm checks.

The main aim of the scheme is to provide additional fodder to livestock farmers experiencing serious forage shortages.

It involves a financial incentive for tillage farmers to grow forage crops to alleviate the current fodder shortfall.

The forage crops must be grown on lands declared as tillage on the applicant’s 2018 BPS application.

The crop must be planted between 3 August and 15 September to be considered eligible for support. Crops planted before or after these dates are ineligible.

The crop types allowed under the measure include fodder rape, stubble turnips, Italian/hybrid grasses or westerwolds.

Perennial ryegrass and other grass/seed mixes are ineligible.

Payments

The eligible Brassica crops will qualify for a payment rate of €100/ha and the eligible short-term grass species will qualify for a payment rate of €155/ha.

A GLAS participant may apply for this measure on tillage land not in receipt of GLAS catch crop aid.

Eligibility to receive funding under the production of additional forage support measure 2018 is dependent on the applicant remaining within the €15,000 individual aid limit in the 2016-2018 fiscal years.

Application forms can be downloaded from the Department of Agriculture website at agrigulture.gov.ie.

Applications should be sent to: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Direct Payments Unit (DAFM Support Measure for the Production of Additional Forage 2018), Government Offices, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois.