11 August 2023

Investment options for existing buildings under TAMS 3

Emer McCrum, Teagasc Pig Development Officer, details the options available to pig farmers to upgrade existing buildings under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme (PPIS) of TAMS 3.

Given the prolonged period of losses sustained by the sector from late 2022 onwards, it is unsurprising that non-essential capital investment was deferred on many units until trading conditions improved.

While the welcome return to profitability has eased pressure, it will take many months before the dust settles and a plan for any capital expenditure can be assessed. When that time comes, it is worth considering the grant funding available under TAMS 3 that may be of assistance.

While the availability of new build pig housing under the current scheme made headlines when first announced, there are a number of eligible investments for existing housing.

The Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme (PPIS) opened for applications in April this year. Under the scheme, grant aid is available at 40% up to the increased investment ceiling of €500,000 for eligible applicants. With the scheme in place for the next five years, it is worth exploring the options available if upgrade work maybe required on existing housing in the future.

Building fabric

Grant funding is available for new roof and wall insulation, insulated doors and ventilation systems for farrowing, weaner and finisher housing. This will improve the energy efficiency of retrofitted buildings in addition to providing comfortable conditions to support pig health, welfare and performance.

Electrical installations

Under the energy efficiency umbrella, grant funding is available for the installation of LED lights across farrowing, weaner and finisher housing, in addition to electrical and water heat pads for farrowing and weaner housing. The energy efficiency credentials of such investments will help to reduce running costs of housing.

Feed system

Funding is available for components of a new wet feed system including controller, tanks and pumps to allow feed to ferment. Alternatively, if a new system is not required, new tanks and pumps are available to upgrade existing feed systems. Frequency controllers for feed pumps and feed mixer motors are also eligible in addition to wet feed troughs for dry sows, weaners and finishers.

Heating

The provision of heating in farrowing and first stage housing is one of the most energy expensive activities on a pig unit. Any upgrade work to heating systems therefore has significant potential to generate savings on energy or fuel costs.

Heat recovery units, air source heat pumps, indirect heating systems and biomass boilers are eligible for grant aid under the current TAMS. It is important to note that upgrades to the building envelope may be required in the case of heat recovery or heat pump systems in order to maximise efficiency. If it is not currently feasible to change the heating system, insulated creep boxes for farrowing houses and creep covers for weaner housing are eligible investment options under the current scheme. The creation of a microclimate by such means can allow you to reduce the overall room temperature, while ensuring pigs have access to a warm and comfortable nest, thereby reducing the heating requirement for these buildings.

Health and biosecurity

Individual pen fixed medicine dispenser units for both in feed and in water delivery of veterinary medicines are eligible for grant funding. In addition, medicated feed mix tanks, computerised feed control systems for individual pen feeding and targeted individual pen medicated feed delivery systems are available to allow for more targeted treatment of animals.

A new addition to the PPIS under the current TAMS is the availability of grant funding to improve site biosecurity. Measures including security cameras, automated wheel wash systems and hot power washers are available to reduce the risk of disease entry.

Pig welfare

Replacement slats are available for existing housing to provide a comfortable lying area for pigs. It is important to note that a minimum of 66% of the floor area in each pen must be fully solid if pigs cannot feed simultaneously. In cases where pigs can feed simultaneously, the solid area requirement may be reduced to 50% of the floor area. In addition, manipulable material delivery systems and free farrowing penning are available for existing houses.

Other

Water meters are available which will allow for an accurate calculation of water footprint on units.
Another new addition to the current scheme is the availability of batch weighting scales. Accurate weights at weaning and transfer to finishing is extremely important in calculating solid performance data relating to average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency.
For home millers, liquid treatment applicators for grain are available.

Both the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) and the Low Emissions Slurry Spreading Scheme (LESS) are standalone and as such, any funding drawn down under these schemes will not impact the €500,000 investment ceiling of PPIS.

Use of this investment ceiling, however, will reduce the €90,000 ceiling available for all other TAMS 3 schemes, which is an important consideration in cases where farmers have other enterprises. A higher rate of 60% grant funding is available on the entire range of PPIS investments for applicants eligible under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS) and the Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS). There has yet to be an announcement on the current tranche closing date, but this will likely be before the end of September. Updates on tranche closing dates will be available on the DAFM website.

The full terms and conditions detailing all eligible investments are available on the DAFM website at the following links:

This article first appeared in the July Pig Advisory newsletter. Click here to access the full newsletter.