Head scoops
The installation of head scoops can make the farmer’s job of handling livestock far safer. Many farmers who have installed head scoops say they make tagging, bolusing and dosing cattle easier and safer. Crushes that have head scoops installed can increase the overall efficiency of the handling process and thus save time and energy for the farmer.
Safety grids under skylights
There is a grant available for the retrofitting of roof clear sheets (rooflights) with a safety grid. Roof clear sheets can be fragile and there have been farm accidents in the past where farmers have fallen through these sheets while working on a roof. According to the Department, the safety grid must be placed underneath the clear light and on top of the supporting purloins. This means that the purloins will be able to directly support any weight placed on the grid.
Replacement of damaged slats
Slats over 15 years old in sheds may be coming to the end of their working life. In many cases, steel was placed too near the outer surface of the concrete during manufacture and was at risk of corrosion, leaving the slat at risk of collapse. TAMS II covers the replacement of concrete slats in existing sheds. To do this, any existing internal agitation points within a building must be removed as part of the slat replacement works. Under no circumstances may agitation or access points be installed inside a building during slat replacement works. The extension of a slurry tank to provide an external agitation point is covered in TAMS II.
Wiring and rewiring existing agricultural buildings
The wiring and rewiring of existing agricultural buildings is covered in TAMS II. This is useful where a building’s wiring is no longer safe for use or needs upgrading. The erection of yard lights is also covered.
Mobile cattle crush
For farmers with outfarms, mobile cattle handling equipment can be very useful. The Department says mobile cattle handling equipment is defined as being equipment that can be transported using a trailer unit, attachable wheels or tractor three-point linkage. The equipment must not be concreted, bolted or permanently fixed in place. Each mobile crush must consist of, at least, a front gate, rear gate, non-slip floor and full sides. The crush must be a minimum of 2.0m long and the sides shall be a minimum of 1.45m high. Mobile cattle penning with a max of 75 linear metres (in combination with a cattle handling unit) is also covered.
Minimum investment rate
Farmers who are considering purchasing a head scoop, for example, and are planning to avail of the TAMS II grant should be aware of the conditions.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the minimum investment for any application under TAMS II is €2,000. Some farmers forget this when making an application, especially for less expensive investment items such as head scoops. If applying for TAMS II aid to purchase a head scoop, it will have to be included with other investments to comply with the minimum investment rate.
Grant aid per investment item is calculated on the basis of the lowest of the following amounts:
The Department’s reference costs applicable at the date of approval. Head scoops, for example, are costed at €379 excluding VAT. The total of the invoices marked paid net of VAT, together with costs of the applicant’s contribution in terms of labour and machinery, deemed to be eligible by the Department. The cost of the investment proposed by the applicant indicated on their application form.
Head scoops
The installation of head scoops can make the farmer’s job of handling livestock far safer. Many farmers who have installed head scoops say they make tagging, bolusing and dosing cattle easier and safer. Crushes that have head scoops installed can increase the overall efficiency of the handling process and thus save time and energy for the farmer.
Safety grids under skylights
There is a grant available for the retrofitting of roof clear sheets (rooflights) with a safety grid. Roof clear sheets can be fragile and there have been farm accidents in the past where farmers have fallen through these sheets while working on a roof. According to the Department, the safety grid must be placed underneath the clear light and on top of the supporting purloins. This means that the purloins will be able to directly support any weight placed on the grid.
Replacement of damaged slats
Slats over 15 years old in sheds may be coming to the end of their working life. In many cases, steel was placed too near the outer surface of the concrete during manufacture and was at risk of corrosion, leaving the slat at risk of collapse. TAMS II covers the replacement of concrete slats in existing sheds. To do this, any existing internal agitation points within a building must be removed as part of the slat replacement works. Under no circumstances may agitation or access points be installed inside a building during slat replacement works. The extension of a slurry tank to provide an external agitation point is covered in TAMS II.
Wiring and rewiring existing agricultural buildings
The wiring and rewiring of existing agricultural buildings is covered in TAMS II. This is useful where a building’s wiring is no longer safe for use or needs upgrading. The erection of yard lights is also covered.
Mobile cattle crush
For farmers with outfarms, mobile cattle handling equipment can be very useful. The Department says mobile cattle handling equipment is defined as being equipment that can be transported using a trailer unit, attachable wheels or tractor three-point linkage. The equipment must not be concreted, bolted or permanently fixed in place. Each mobile crush must consist of, at least, a front gate, rear gate, non-slip floor and full sides. The crush must be a minimum of 2.0m long and the sides shall be a minimum of 1.45m high. Mobile cattle penning with a max of 75 linear metres (in combination with a cattle handling unit) is also covered.
Minimum investment rate
Farmers who are considering purchasing a head scoop, for example, and are planning to avail of the TAMS II grant should be aware of the conditions.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the minimum investment for any application under TAMS II is €2,000. Some farmers forget this when making an application, especially for less expensive investment items such as head scoops. If applying for TAMS II aid to purchase a head scoop, it will have to be included with other investments to comply with the minimum investment rate.
Grant aid per investment item is calculated on the basis of the lowest of the following amounts:
The Department’s reference costs applicable at the date of approval. Head scoops, for example, are costed at €379 excluding VAT. The total of the invoices marked paid net of VAT, together with costs of the applicant’s contribution in terms of labour and machinery, deemed to be eligible by the Department. The cost of the investment proposed by the applicant indicated on their application form. 
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