Using TAMS to improve Farm Sustainability
Séamus Nolan, Dairy Advisor, Teagasc Castlerea, discusses using TAMS to improve farm sustainability. Séamus outlines a sample of eligible investments under TAMS which benefit both the farmer and the environment. If considering applying for a TAMS grant consult your Teagasc advisor. Read more here
The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS)
The current Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) grants have been in operation since 2015 and will continue to accept applications from eligible applicants until the end of 2022. Within the TAMS grants a number of schemes are of particular relevance to livestock farmers.
These include the
- Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient storage Scheme (AWNSS),
- Dairy Equipment Scheme (DES) and
- Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme (LESS).
A broad list of items are eligible for grant aid under these schemes, a number of which can help to lower your farms carbon footprint and improve sustainability.
A sample of eligible investments under TAMS
Under the LESS an applicant can apply for grant aid for either a new slurry tanker fitted with a trailing shoe / dribble or to retrofit a dribble bar to their existing tanker. Investing in such technology reduces losses from slurry to the atmosphere and improves the utilisation of slurry Nitrogen potentially reducing chemical N requirements.
Under the AWSNS applicants can apply for grant aid for a GPS controlled / GPS ready fertilizer spreader. This technology allows for more accurate application of expensive chemical fertilizers and should result in an overall reduction in chemical fertilizer use on the farm.
On dairy farms both heating water and cooling milk are expensive processes. Investment in a properly sized plate cooler can reduce milk cooling costs significantly while a heat transfer unit which uses the heat from the compressor to heat water is also covered under the DES. It is also possible to get funding to aid in the installation of solar panels. These investments will result in a reduction in energy consumption on dairy farms.
The above are only a sample of investments eligible under the various schemes that could help reduce the carbon footprint of your holding.
Rate of TAMS Grant Aid
Some of these investments are quite expensive and may only be financially viable for larger holdings. The standard rate of grant available is 40% with some younger farmers potentially qualifying for 60%.
TAMS - points to consider
If considering applying for a TAMS grant you should firstly discuss with your adviser to see if you are eligible and if it is the right investment for you. All applications are via an on-line system and approvals may take a number of months.
Check out below the Beef Edge podcast epsiode from 2021 in which Teagasc Environment Specialist Tim Hyde joined Catherine Egan to discuss the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme
Teagasc Advisors are regular contributors of articles here on Teagasc Daily. Find out more about Farm Health & Safety here and about Environment here.