Just one-third of eligible young farmers applied for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP). A survey conducted by Macra na Feirme has revealed that 65% of young farmers did not apply to partake in the BDGP.

BDGP payments are due to be issued in mid-December, but farm inspections will begin in advance of payments starting. Some 49% of respondents indicated that they intended to apply to the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II), while 38% said they wouldn’t apply for it. The first tranche of the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme under TAMS II closes this Friday, 25 September.

The young farmer survey is conducted by Macra na Feirme on an annual basis. Of the 295 respondents 225 were male. One third of respondents were full time farmers and another third were part time farmers while 6.3% were farm employees and 17.6% were students of agriculture.

In a sector by sector breakdown 46% were beef farmers, 21% dairy, 6% tillage and 1% pigs.