Last week, Major Equipment, based at Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, held an interesting factory open day to showcase the range of slurry spreading machines it offers to farmers and contractors who want to avail of the grant options under the TAMS II environmental scheme. The company reported that the new environmental scheme, where the purchase of a low-emission slurry tanker with trailing shoe or dribble bar can be eligible for a 40% grant aid up to an investment ceiling of €40,000, is encouraging a significant increase in interest in new machines.