The government has today launched a €56 million Fodder Support Scheme.
Due to increases in the cost of fertiliser in early Spring there has been concern about the quantity of fodder that will be produced and conserved for the coming winter.
The Scheme aims to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers to grow more fodder.
Recent survey results by Teagasc show that half of all drystock farmers have spread no chemical Nitrogen fertiliser at all on their silage ground.
The Fodder Support Scheme will offer a payment rate of up to €100 per hectare.
The scheme will be rolled out as a matter of urgency and the Department hopes for strong uptake from farmers.
The application system for the scheme will be “live” in the coming days and farmers wishing to apply can do so either themselves or through their advisor up to the 2nd August 2022.
Areas entered for the scheme must be cut and conserved by 5th September 2022.
Only farmers with grassland will be eligible to apply and no support will be provided to Milk Suppliers.
The maximum area eligible for payment under the scheme is 10 hectares with a potential maximum payment of €1,000.
Payments to farmers will commence in late November 2022 and all payments will be made before the end of 2022.
