The Department of Agriculture has added sheep fencing investment items to the TAMS II scheme and it is open for applications in the current tranche of TAMS, which is due to close on 24 June. The next tranche will open on 26 June.

Each tranche in TAMS II lasts about three months and applications are not ranked and approved to start work until the tranche closes. This explains why it is crucial that sheep farmers got the opportunity to apply in the current tranche in order to receive approval to start work this year and preferably in the summer months. In TAMS II, grant aid will only be paid on approved, completed and eligible expenditure and will be paid at the standard rate of 40% for the majority of schemes up to an investment ceiling of €80,000 per holding. If you are a young trained farmer and apply under YFCIS this increases to 60%.

What’s covered?

Farmers can now apply online for the following with regard to sheep fencing:

  • Sheep mesh wire with one strand of wire.
  • Mountain sheep mesh wire with one strand of wire.
  • Gateway.

    • According to the Department, planning permission or a declaration of exemption from the relevant local authority is required for any proposed sheep fencing (whether new or replacement) in a Special Area of Conservation, a National Heritage Area, a Special Protection Area or a Natura 2000 habitat. Planning permission or a declaration of exemption from the relevant local authority is also required where fencing is proposed for any upland or seaside area that has not been previously fenced or enclosed.

    Costings

    The Department’s reference costings for sheep mesh wire with one strand of wire is €5.34/linear metre. For mountain sheep mesh wire with one strand of wire, the Department has a reference costing of €8.01/linear metre. The Department says mountain sheep wire has a higher costing due to the extra costs involved in working in difficult terrain and gaining access to mountainous regions. To be eligible as a mountainous site, the following conditions have to be met:

  • The fence line/site for the proposed fence are inaccessible to a tractor or equivalent due to a combination of elevation, slope and unevenness of the terrain.
  • The fence line is not accessible by a roadway or track way.
  • The vegetation typically comprises a mix of heathers, bracken, sedges and grasses.
  • The movement of fencing material on to and along the fence line is only possible by means of a track machine, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), man power or animal power.
  • Only the length of fencing that is inaccessible to tractor or equivalent will be eligible for appropriate mountain fence rate.
  • A gateway is costed at €299.00 per gateway.

    • Main specifications

    The specifications for sheep fencing and gates are listed on the farm building structures and specifications section of the Department’s website under S148. A list of accepted fencing post suppliers is listed under S148A on the website. Timber, concrete, and alternative material fencing posts are included in this list.

    One-strand barbed wire with sheep wire

    The fence must have a minimum height of 1,000mm, with the barbed wire set above the sheep wire mesh. The lowest line of the sheep mesh must be between 50mm and 100mm above ground level. Strainer posts must be, at least, 2,100mm long and a minimum of 175mm in diameter and must be driven at least 900mm into the ground. Strainers must be provided at the beginning and end of every length of fencing, at gaps or openings, at every change of direction where the angle is greater than 30º and to accommodate any significant change in gradient. Where long runs of fencing are to be erected, the maximum distance between strainer posts must not exceed 100m, except in cases where the run is straight and free of undulations, in which case the spacing of strainers must not exceed 350m. In soft ground, the strainer length may have to be increased to provide the necessary stability. Intermediate posts must be, at least, 1,500mm long and a minimum of 100mm diameter and must be driven at least 450mm into the ground. Intermediate posts must be spaced at no more than 5m intervals.

    Two strands barbed wire with sheep wire

    The top line of barbed wire must be strained tightly between straining posts and must be 1.1m above ground level. The other line of barbed wire may be either above or below the sheep mesh. The lowest line of wire (either the sheep mesh or barbed) must be between 50mm and 100mm above ground level. Intermediate posts must be, at least, 1,800mm long and a minimum of 100mm diameter and must be driven at least 500 mm into the ground. Intermediate posts must be spaced at no more than 5m intervals.

    One strand electric and one strand barbed with sheep wire

    The electrified line wire must be strained tightly between straining posts and must be 1.1m above ground level. The line of barbed wire may be either above or below the sheep mesh. The lowest line of wire (either the sheep mesh or barbed) must be between 50mm and 100mm above ground level.

    One strand electric wire and one plain wire with sheep wire

    The electrified line wire must be strained tightly between straining posts and must be 1.1m above ground level. The line of plain wire may be either above or below the sheep mesh.

    Bank/wall reduced height fence

    The fence must have a minimum height of 700mm with one strand of wire and 800mm with two strands of wire. In all cases at least one strand of wire must be located above the sheep wire. The lowest line of wire must be between 50mm and 100mm above the top of the bank/wall. Strainer posts must be, at least, 1,800mm long and a minimum of 175mm diameter and must be driven/installed at least 900 mm into the bank or stone wall. Strainers must be provided at the beginning and end of every length of fencing, at gaps or openings, at every change of direction where the angle is greater than 30º and to accommodate any significant change in gradient. Intermediate posts must be, at least, 1,500mm long and a minimum of 100mm diameter and must be driven at least 500mm into the bank or wall. Intermediate posts must be suitably supported and spaced at no more than 5m intervals.

    Certificate for posts

    A “fencing post certificate” must be completed for all applications for grant aid involving timber fencing posts. Section A is to be completed by the post manufacturer. Section B is to be completed by the supplier of the posts to the farmer. The farmer must submit the completed certificate together with the standard paperwork for grant aid. The certificate is to be produced in duplicate, with the IS 436 or IS 437 registration holder holding the original copy, and supplying the second copy to the person/company purchasing the posts. Intermediate posts must be labelled by the bale and straining posts must be individually marked with a unique number.

    Field layout plan

    For the sheep fencing, a farm field layout plan to a scale not greater than 1:5,000 or Basic Farm Payment application map, together with LPIS numbers identifying the parcels where it is proposed that fencing will take place and showing the location of all proposed fencing and gateways must be included with the online application. Where more than one type of fencing is applied for, or if it is a mountainous site, the type of fencing and fencing length (for each type of fencing) must also be indicated on the plan/map.