Payments to tillage farmers who planted forage crops as part of the fodder production incentive are to commence before the end of the year. A total of 1,701 farmers applied for almost €2.3m in funding under the measure, which was introduced to help reduce the national fodder deficit.

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that payments for brassica crops will commence before year end, with grass crop payments following in spring 2019.

Inspections

The Department has also commenced inspections of the crops planted under the measure. Of the 1,701 applicants, 5% have been selected for inspection. The aim is to complete all these inspections by the end of November.

The Department said: “Notified checks will be carried out to check compliance with the measure’s terms and conditions, which may include checks on documentation such as seed and fertiliser receipts where appropriate.”

Three quarters of farmers who applied for the incentive planted brassicas. Under the measure they are eligible for a payment of €100/ha and there is a total of €1.34m to be issued to these farmers. Short-term grasses attracted a larger incentive of €150/ha, with payments totalling just shy of €1m to be issued to 595 farmers.

Fodder scheme payments to commence by year end

Inspections of fodder crops planted as part of the fodder production incentive have commenced, with the Department aiming to begin issuing payments before the year is out.