A voluntary training course is now being run for those who entered the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) in 2023, also know as tranche one.

The course will allow ACRES participants a chance a learn about improving scorecards and those in the co-operation stream of the scheme will also be given information on non-production investments (NPIs) and landscape actions.

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said the voluntary ACRES Training Scheme (ATS) was being made available for tranche two farmers midway through the programme.

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“More than 97% of all ACRES participants are now fully paid in respect of their participation in the scheme in 2023 and 2024.

“For those in receipt of results-based payments, this is an opportunity for them to learn more about the scorecards used to assess their lands when scoring and to learn about ways to improve overall score.

Opportunity

“For those in the ACRES co-operation approach, it is also a timely opportunity for them to get information on non-productive investments and/or landscape actions which may also assist them to improve the overall score of their holdings,” he said.

Minister Heydon added that while the content of the course will be different, the format of the course is the same as the mandatory course ACRES participants had to attend in their first year.

“While the voluntary course is only available to tranche one participants this year, tranche two participants will be able to avail of it in 2026 as that will be their third year in ACRES.

“I encourage tranche one farmers to contact an approved ACRES trainer, a list of whom is available on my Department’s website, to arrange attendance at a voluntary ACRES training course which will be available to them up to and including 31 December 2025,” he said.