The TAMS II Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS) was launched in spring 2017. The scheme offers grant aid towards the cost of certain investment items intended to help modernise tillage farms. The items covered are a combination of tillage machinery and building investments. According to the Department, the most popular investments made by farmers through the TCIS are:

1. Minimum disturbance tillage (PTO-driven equipment not permitted) – Disc stubble cultivator – mounted.

2. Pesticide reduction – heavy Cambridge roller/furrow press.

3. GPS machinery control – tractor steering control with min 200mm accuracy, retrofit.

4. Sprayers – trailed sprayer with GPS control.

5. Fertiliser spreaders – fertiliser spreader mounted with full GPS control.

We have listed all the investment items covered under this scheme. Many of these will be on sale at the Ploughing. Each investment item has a reference cost which should reflect the total cost of an investment.

Some of the costs are displayed as formulas. This is to allow for the calculation of costs for different-sized equipment. The grant aid calculation is based on the lowest of either the Department’s reference cost, the proposed cost by an applicant at the application stage or receipts per finished investment item.

Application

Investments on the farm should be based on needs rather than wants. If availing of the TAMS II scheme to help make an investment, the same approach should be taken. You should also make sure that you can afford to make the investment. Farmers have to pay for the investment in full before they will receive grant money.

Online applications have to be made and approved by the Department before an investment can be made.

There can be a considerable amount of paperwork, especially if it is a building project. Applications must be submitted online through agfood.ie. Applicants or agents must be registered for online services (OLS) with the Department. This application will show the total proposed costs.

Once approved, the investment is made. If all the information is correct and there are no issues with the application, the Department will issue notice of approval.

All works must be completed and payment claims must be submitted within six months (marked with a # on the table) of approval in the case of certain equipment and 12 months (marked with a * on the table) in the case of structures and fixed equipment from the date of issue of approval or by a date specified in the letter of approval, whichever is earlier.

Grant rate

For general applicants, the grant rate is 40% grant aid to the €80,000 investment ceiling, excluding VAT. The specific tillage investments are included in the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS).

Eligible young farmers will be entitled to 60% grant aid to the €80,000 investment ceiling. For farmers in a registered farm partnership, the investment ceiling doubles to €160,000 and the rate of grant aid is paid depending on each partner’s eligibility. Equipment must be new and be purchased rather than leased. It is essential to have official approval before you purchase equipment or begin construction.

Reference costs

Replacement of a hinged door/sheeted gate with a new sliding door/roller door on agricultural buildings #

Roller door: €89.20/m2

The rate is per m2 of new sliding door or roller door provided.

Sliding door: €89.20/m2

Retrofitting roof-light with safety cages*

Retrofitting single roof-light with safety cages: €40.90/clear light

The rate is for the safety cage only, it does not cover the cost of replacing the actual clear light. The rate is per each clear sheet fitted with a safety cage in accordance with S.101.C.

Retrofitting double roof-light with safety cages: €47.50/clear light

Retrofitting triple roof-light with safety cages: €55.10/clear light

Wiring/rewiring existing agricultural building *

Rewiring existing farm building: €6.70/m2

This rate is per m2 of building to be rewired.

Yard lights (min 200W equivalent, either metal halide or LED) #

Yard lights (metal halide or LCD): €237.50/item

This cost is per light installed. Multiply rate by number of new lights to be installed.

Grain store *

Grain store: €211.30/m2

These are costed per metre square for the entire area. The grain store shall be constructed in full accordance with specifications S.101, S102 and S.109.

Under-floor ventilation system: €45.30/m2

These are costed per m2 area of the grain store in which they are installed.

On-floor ventilation system: €19.20/m2

These are costed per m2 area of the grain store in which they are installed.

Pedestal ventilation system: €13/m2

These are costed per m2 area of the grain store in which they are installed.

Grain store concrete A-segment dividers: €89/m2

These are costed per m2 area of the dividers to be provided.

Doorway grain retainer – steel: €89/m2

These are costed per m2 area of the doorway grain retainer to be provided.

Ancillary concrete:€24.60/m2

Rain Water Harvesting *

Mass concrete tank for rainwater harvesting: 0.1104x + 2976.3

The cost is calculated by use of the equation given for each tank type, where x= volume of the tank in litres and y = the cost of the tank. For example if the proposed tank is of mass concrete and 40,000 litres capacity, to get the cost of the tank multiply 40,000 x 0.1104 and then add 2,976.3. This gives a cost of €7,392.30 for the tank. This includes the cost of the lid and calmed inlet and overflow.

Precast concrete tank for rainwater harvesting

y = 0.2203x + 3989.2

Non concrete tanks for rainwater harvesting

y = 0.2203x + 3989.2

Filters designed for flow from up to 200m2 roof area: €311.60/item

These are costed dependent upon the area of roof that each filter is serving.

Filters designed for flow between 201m2 and 500m2 roof area: €425/item

Filters designed for flow from 2500m2 to 3000m2 roof area: €2,094.15/item

Covered drains uPVC 150mm: €8.06/linear metre

Covered drains (150mm and 225mm) are costed per linear metre. These drains are for the purpose of rainwater harvesting only. If the drains have to be put under existing concrete then the higher rates should be used.

Covered drains uPVC 225mm: €8.60/linear metre

Covered drains uPVC 150mm under existing concrete: €22.09/linear metre

Covered drains uPVC 225mm under existing concrete: €24.80/linear metre

Manholes (including cover): €222.58/item

Are costed per item. The reference cost includes the cost of a heavy duty lid.

Round gutter (including all brackets stop-ends, outlets and fixing): €17.58/linear metre

Gutters are costed per linear metre. These are only eligible to be installed on buildings from which rainwater is being harvested.

Box gutter (including all brackets stop-ends, outlets and fixing): €18.68/linear metre

Rain water downpipes (including offsets toes and fixing): €19.78/linear metre

Sumps (including Cover): €222.58/item

Sump pump: €397.19/item

These are costed on a per item basis.

UV treatment: €1,555/item

Chlorination treatment: €1,750/item

Water meter: €190/item

Header tank to allow quick fill of water into sprayer/bowser

y = 0.2203x + 3989.2

These are costed based on the capacity, in litres, of the header tank. The cost is calculated by use of the equation given, where x= volume of the tank in litres and y = the cost of the tank. For example if the proposed tank has a 5,000 litres capacity, to get the cost of the tank multiply 5,000 x 0.2203 and then add 3,989.2. This gives a cost of €5,090.70 for the tank.

Mobile water tanker to fit onto existing trailer: y = 0.3555x + 1250.7

These are costed based on the capacity, in litres, of the mobile water tanker. The cost is calculated by use of the equation given, where x= volume of the tank in litres and y = the cost of the tank. For example if the proposed tank has a 10,000 litres capacity, to get the cost of the tank multiply 10,000 x 0.3555 and then add 1,250.7. This gives a cost of €4,805.70 for the tank.

Mobile water tanker: y = 1.983x - 5043.5

These are costed based on the capacity, in litres, of the mobile water tanker. The cost is calculated by use of the equation given, where x= volume of the tank in litres and y = the cost of the tank. For example if the proposed tank has a 10,000 litres capacity, to get the cost of the tank multiply 10,000 x 1.983 and then subtract 5,043.5. This gives a cost of €14,786.50 for the tank.

GPS machinery control *

Tractor/combine steering control with min 200mm accuracy – new machine: €9,400/item

These are costed on a per unit basis, per tractor/combine fitted both new and retrofit.

Tractor/combine steering control with min 200mm accuracy – retrofit: €10,800/item

Yield monitors for combine: €3,300/item

These are costed on a per unit basis, per combine fitted.

GPS stand alone unit: €3,500/item

These are costed per unit. The cost includes the control unit, display and GPS receiver. This unit is not to be used with a grant aided fertiliser spreader or grant aided GPS controlled sprayer, as the cost of the GPS control unit is included in these reference costs.

Sprayers *

Mounted sprayer with electronic control

y = 11.694x + 9758.5

Only field crop horizontal boom sprayers are covered by the TAMS II scheme. Both mounted and trailed sprayers are costed based on the capacity of the main spray tank, regardless of boom width. The cost is calculated by use of the relevant equation given where x = volume of the spray tank in litres and y = cost of the sprayer. For example if the proposed mounted sprayer has electronic control with a main spray tank capacity of 1,200 litres, to get the cost of the spryer multiply 1,200 by 11.694 and then add 9,758.5. This gives a cost of €23,791.30 for the sprayer. Select the appropriate type of sprayer(electronic control, GPS control or GPS ready).

Mounted sprayer with GPS control: y = 15.766x + 11369

Mounted sprayer GPS ready: y = 15.766x + 7869

Trailed sprayer with electronic control: y = 12.803x + 6445

Trailed sprayer with GPS control: y = 11.207x + 14499

Trailed sprayer GPS ready: y = 11.207x + 10999

Full GPS section control for sprayers – retrofit: €8,700/item

This is for the retrofitting of full GPS control to an existing sprayer - it does not apply to the purchase of new sprayers.

Self-propelled sprayer: €200,000/item

These are costed on a per unit basis regardless of tank size or boom width.

Minimum disturbance tillage (PTO driven equipment not permitted) *

Disc stubble cultivator – trailed

y = 2980.5x + 22081

These are costed per linear metre of working width. The cost is calculated by use of the relevant equation given, where x= working width of the disc cultivator and y = the cost of the disc cultivator. For example if the proposed trailed disc cultivator has a working width of 4.5m, to get the cost of the disc cultivator multiply 4.5 by 2,980.5 and then add 22,081. This gives a cost of €35,493.25 for the trailed disc cultivator.

Disc stubble cultivator – mounted

y = 5889.7x - 3012

Tine stubble cultivator – trailed

y = 5800.7x + 16268

These are costed per linear metre of working width. The cost is calculated by use of the relevant equation given, where x= working width of the tine cultivator and y = the cost of the tine cultivator. For example if the proposed trailed tine cultivator has a working width of 4.5m, to get the cost of the trailed tine cultivator multiply 4.5 by 5,800.7 and then add 16,268. This gives a cost of €42,371.15 for the trailed tine cultivator.

Tine stubble cultivator – mounted

y = 8051.5x - 10698

Seed broadcaster to mount on cultivator: €3,400/item

These are costed on a per unit basis.

Combined tine and disc cultivator – trailed

y = 8094x + 15113

These are costed per linear metre of working width. The cost is calculated by use of the relevant equation given, where x= working width of the combined tine and disc cultivator and y = the cost of the combined tine and disc cultivator. For example if the proposed trailed combined tine and disc cultivator has a working width of 5.0m, to get the cost of the combined tine and disc cultivator multiply 5.0 by 8,094 and then add 15,113. This gives a cost of €55,583.00 for the trailed combined tine and disc cultivator.

Combined tine and disc cultivator – mounted

y = 6056.5x + 1168.3

Min till tine and disc drill – trailed

y = 11499x + 20214

These are costed per linear metre of working width. The cost is calculated by use of the relevant equation given, where x= working width of the min till tine and disc drill and y = the cost of the min till tine and disc drill. For example if the proposed trailed min till tine and disc drill has a working width of 4.0m, to get the cost of the trailed min till tine and disc drill multiply 4.0 by 11,499 and then add 20,214. This gives a cost of €66,210.00 for the min till tine and disc drill.

Min till tine and disc drill – mounted

y = 8071.2x + 12646

Min till tine and disc drill – trailed, seed and fertilizer

y = 13554x + 15546

These are costed per linear metre of working width. The cost is calculated by use of the equation given, where x= working width of the min till tine and disc drill with fertiliser and y = the cost of the min till tine and disc drill with fertiliser. For example if the proposed trailed min till tine and disc drill with fertilizer has a working width of 4.0m, to get the cost of the trailed min till tine and disc drill with fertiliser multiply 4.0 by 13,554 and then add 15,546. This gives a cost of €69,762.00 for the min till tine and disc drill with fertilizer.

Direct drill

y = 8312.5x + 57000

These are costed per linear metre of working width. The cost is calculated by use of the equation given, where x= working width of the direct drill and y = the cost of the direct drill. For example if the proposed direct drill has a working width of 3.0m, to get the cost of the direct drill multiply 3.0 by 8,312.5 and then add 57,000. This gives a cost of €81,937.50 for the direct drill.

Strip till drill

y = 15670x + 13761

These are costed per linear metre of working width. The cost is calculated by use of the equation given, where x= working width of the strip till drill and y = the cost of the strip till drill. For example if the proposed strip till drill has a working width of 3.0m, to get the cost of the strip till drill multiply 3.0 by 15,670 and then add 13,761. This gives a cost of €60,771.00 for the strip till drill.

Strip till drill – seed and fertilizer

y = 5352.2x + 47943

These are costed per linear metre of working width. The cost is calculated by use of the equation given, where x= working width of the strip till drill with fertilizer and y = the cost of the strip till drill with fertilizer. For example if the proposed strip till drill with fertilizer has a working width of 3.0m, to get the cost of the strip till drill with fertilizer multiply 3.0 by 5,352.2 and then add 47,943. This gives a cost of €63,999.60 for the strip till drill with fertilizer.

Pesticide reduction #

Heavy cambridge roller with paddles

y = 2316.5x - 1147

These y = 3,342.4x - 1,290.1 are costed per linear metre of working width. The cost is calculated by use of the equation given, where x= working width of the heavy cambridge roller with paddles and y = the cost of the heavy cambridge roller with paddles. For example if the proposed Heavy Cambridge Roller with paddles has a working width of 6.0m, to get the cost of the heavy cambridge roller with paddles multiply 6.0 by 3,342.4 and then subtract 1290.1. This gives a cost of €18,764.30 for the heavy cambridge roller with paddles.

Furrow press

y = 17428x - 33764

These are costed per linear metre of working width. The cost is calculated by use of the equation given, where x= working width of the furrow press and y = the cost of the furrow press. For example if the proposed furrow press has a working width of 4.0m, to get the cost of the furrow press multiply 4.0 by 17,428 and then subtract 33,764. This gives a cost of €35,948.00 for the furrow press.

Heavy Cambridge roller

y = 4412x - 13,209

These are costed per linear metre of working width. The cost is calculated by use of the equation given, where x= working width of the heavy Cambridge roller and y = the cost of the heavy Cambridge roller. For example if the proposed heavy Cambridge roller has a working width of 6.0m, to get the cost of the heavy Cambridge roller multiply 6.0 by 4,412.6 and then subtract 13,209. This gives a cost of €13,266.00 for the heavy Cambridge roller.

Grain treatment equipment *

Grain dryer – batch – direct heat only

y = 1203.8x + 36284

These are costed per m2 area of the dividers to be provided. Both direct and indirect fired batch grain driers are costed based on the capacity, in metres cubed (m3), that the drier can dry in one batch. The cost is calculated by use of the relevant equation given, where x= capacity, in m3, of the drier and y = the cost of the drier. For example if the proposed direct fired drier has a capacity of 10 m3, to get the cost of the direct fired drier multiply 10 by 1,203.8 and then add 36,284. This gives a cost of €48,322.00 for the direct fired drier.

Grain dryer – batch – indirect heat only

y = 1316.5x + 43481

Grain dryer – continuous flow – direct heat only

y = 1826.9x + 71067

Both direct and indirect fired continuous flow grain driers are costed based on the capacity (t) that the drier can dry in one hour. The cost is calculated by use of the relevant equation given, where x= capacity, in tonnes per hour, of the drier and y = the cost of the drier. For example if the proposed direct fired continuous flow grain drier has a capacity of 60 tonnes per hour, to get the cost of the direct fired continuous flow drier multiply 60 by 1,826.9 and then add 71,067. This gives a cost of €180,681.00 for the direct fired continuous flow drier.

Grain dryer – continuous flow – indirect heat only

y = 1826.9x + 72967

Grain elevator/augers (not for grain dryers)

€1,500/item

These are costed on a per unit basis.

Grain mill (roller/crimper)

y = 1496x + 6128.2

Grain mills are costed based on the nominal dry rolling capacity, in tonnes per hour. The cost is calculated by use of the equation given, where x= capacity, in tonnes per hour, of the grain mill and y = the cost of the grain mill. For example if the proposed grain mill has a capacity of 5tonnes per hour, to get the cost of the grain mill multiply 5 by 1,496 and then add 6,128.2. This gives a cost of €13,608.20 for the 1,496x + 6,128.2.

Liquid treatment applicator €1,190/item

These are costed on a per unit basis.

Powder treatment applicator €5,460/item

These are costed on a per unit basis.

Potato harvesting #

Intake web 1 row €247/linear metre

These are costed per linear metre of web to be fitted. There are different rates for 1 and 2 row harvesters and also for main and intake webs.

Main web 1 row €221/linear metre

Intake web 2 row €375/linear metre

Main web 2 row €335/linear metre

Separator segments / dolmens €60/item

These are costed per segment / dolmen to be fitted to the potato harvester.

Fertilizer spreaders #

Full GPS Section control for fertiliser spreader €11,300/item

This is for the additional cost of installing full GPS control (section control, headland control, weigh cells, and GPS control unit) to a new fertiliser spreader, it does not apply to upgrading existing fertiliser spreaders and does not include the cost of the base fertiliser spreader. It is not to be added to the cost of a full fertiliser spreader.

Fertiliser spreader – Trailed with full GPS Control: €67,500/item

These are costed per unit. This is the full cost of a trailed fertiliser spreader fitted with full GPS control of spread width, application rate, headland control and recording of areas to which fertiliser is to be applied.

Fertiliser spreader - mounted, fully GPS ready: €64,000/item

A GPS ready machine is only permitted if the applicant has an existing GPS unit that meets the requirements of S.195, and it will be required that the machine be connected to the existing unit.

Fertiliser spreader - mounted, full GPS ready

y = 1.06x + 17600

These are costed based on capacity, in litres. The cost is calculated by use of the equation given, where x= the capacity of the mounted fertiliser spreader, in litres, and y = the cost of the fertiliser spreader. For example if the proposed mounted fertiliser spreader has a capacity of 2,200 litres, to get the cost of the mounted fertilizer spreader multiply 2,200 by 1.06 and then add 17,600. This gives a cost of €19,932.00 for the mounted fertiliser spreader. This is for the full cost of a mounted fertiliser spreader fitted with full GPS control of spread width, application rate, headland control and recording of are as to which fertiliser has been applied.

Fertilizer spreader – mounted, fully GPS control

y = 1.06x + 14100

Wheel changing equipment #

Wheel changing crate: €1,220/unit

These are costed on a unit basis.

Wheel pumping crate – manual pumping: €700/unit

These are costed on a unit basis.

Wheel pumping crate – fully automatic €8,970/unit

These are costed on a unit basis.

Investment * = 12 months from the date of issue of approval to the completion of investment and submission of payment claim. Investment # = 6 months from the date of issue of approval to the completion of investment and submission of payment claim.