There are a number of different types of livestock handling equipment covered in the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) II. As the name suggests, one of the main aims of this scheme is to help aid the funding of farm investments that will modernise Irish farms.

Farmers planning on making an investment on their farm should really consider making use of TAMS II because it can reduce the overall cost. There is grant aid available of 40% towards these costs for general applicants and as high as 60% for young trained farmers. Some farmers find the process of applying for grant aid too time-consuming and the level of bureaucracy too frustrating. However, those who get to the other side are usually happy for two reasons; the quality of the work is normally of a very high standard because it must comply with Department of Agriculture specifications and the grant reduces the overall cost of the project.

In the tables we have listed, some of the livestock handling items are covered in the scheme with their reference costs and an explanation to the reference costs. The reference cost should reflect the total cost of an investment excluding VAT. The costs are estimated by the Department of Agriculture. The grant aid calculation is based on the lowest of either the Department’s reference cost, the proposed cost by an applicant at application stage or receipts per finished investment item. The minimum approval per application under all schemes is €2,000.

Once you receive approval from the Department to go ahead with an investment you have to make the investment first and pay 100% of all the cost before you can make an application for grant aid.