The Department of Agriculture has reminded farmers of a number of deadlines in relation to farm partnerships for 2026.

Farmers wishing to have their registered farm partnership number ahead of the 2026 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) scheme deadline must submit a fully completed application with all accompanying documentation by 2 February 2026.

However, applications are not limited to this deadline and are accepted and processed all year.

ADVERTISEMENT

Fully completed applications must be accompanied by a completed checklist, the farm partnership bank account details, a signed copy of the partnership agreement, a copy of folio of all owned lands, a copy of leases for all lands leased in and evidence of agricultural qualifications (category two partners), as well as a signed copy of the on-farm agreement.

Fully completed applications and documentation must be sent to RFPApplications@agriculture.gov.ie.

Collaborative Farming Grant

This single payment grant provides financial support to farmers seeking advice from accredited legal, accounting and advisory professionals in the setting up of a registered farm partnership.

This funding is only open to new farm partnerships on the Department's register. The application period runs from 10 August 2026 to 30 September 2026 and grant payments will be issued in quarter four of 2026.

Fully completed applications and documentation to be sent to Collaborativegrant@agriculture.gov.ie.

Succession Planning Advice Grant

This single payment grant provides financial support to farmers aged 60 years and over, seeking succession planning advice from accredited legal, accounting and advisory professionals.

The application period starts on 1 January 2026 and ends 30 November 2026.

Meanwhile, farmers will receive grant payments in quarter one of 2027.

Fully completed applications and documentation to be sent to SPAGApplications@agriculture.gov.ie.

All of the main farming enterprises can enter a farm partnership: dairying, beef, tillage, sheep and other enterprises such as horticulture, pigs, poultry and goats. There is no transfer of ownership as part of the partnership agreement.

When forming a farm partnership, all lands and assets - such as production rights, entitlements under BISS and other Department schemes - are licensed to the farm partnership.