Grazing infrastructure incentivised under TAMS 3
Earlier this week, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine published its reference costs and eligible items available for grant aid under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme 3 (TAMS 3).
A number of items which will improve grassland management and grazing infrastructure area eligible for grant aid of either 40% or 60% of the reference cost, depending on the applicant’s status. The higher rate of grant aid will be available under the Young Farmer Investment Scheme, the Woman Farmer Capital Investment Scheme and the Organic Farming Capital Investment Scheme.
The TAMS 3 eligible list includes both solar powered water pumps, with a reference cost of €2,470/unit, and nose pumps with a reference cost of €292.22/unit. Another new addition to the TAMS 3 list is the provision of funding for bovine electric fencing, with a reference cost of €2.77/m, solar electric fencers at €634/unit and gateways at €361.04.
Grant aid will also be provided for the installation of new farm roadways, with a reference cost of €24.90/m (linear), and cattle underpasses (under a public road) at €5,000/m (linear).
Like TAMS 2, sheep fencing has also been included in TAMS 3. Sheep mesh with one strand of wire has a reference cost of €6.75/m, mountain sheep mesh with one strand of wire is included at €8.81/m and gateways – the same as the bovine fencing option – at €361.04.
Those involved in equine will welcome the inclusion of items to improve the grazing infrastructure on their holdings, as post and rail fencing has been added at a reference cost of €20.90/m, horse tape/rope at €6.60/m, specialised horse mesh at €29.98/m and gateways at €361.04.
TAMS 3 will open for applications on a phased basis by scheme. The Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) will open first, the Animal Welfare, Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS) will be next to follow by mid-March and the remaining schemes will be open for applications on a phased basis by the end of May. It is anticipated that the first tranche for all schemes will close on 16th June 2023. The scheme does not operate on a first come first served basis and all applications will go through a ranking and selection process after the closing date.
Click here for more information on TAMS 3. The full list of eligible items and reference costs are available here.