Opt-in for suckler scheme
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has urged any remaining suckler producers who have not opted in for the Suckler Cow Scheme to do so before the deadline of 31 March 2026.
An estimate from earlier this month shows that around 2,000 eligible farm businesses had yet to opt in for the scheme and are at risk of missing out on a payment of £100 for each eligible calving event between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.
The opt in process can be completed via the DAERA website.
Muir visits Dutch dairy farm
On the second day of a visit to Belgium and the Netherlands, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has been shown around a 67-acre Dutch dairy farm with 200 cows, which is using cutting edge technology to reduce ammonia and methane emissions.
The farm in Hoeven is run by Johan Molenaar and is part of a Network of Practical Farms across the Netherlands involving 100 dairy farms focused on addressing climate related issues.
“In NI, we have a real challenge with levels of ammonia emissions which is why it’s valuable to learn from the Dutch experience of how to marry sustainable agricultural development with emissions reductions,” said Minister Muir.
Last change to claim nature payment
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has urged farmers participating in the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme to submit their claims before the 5pm deadline on 31 March 2026.
The scheme funds nature-positive actions such as habitat creation, watercourse protection and carbon sequestration.
Minister Muir pointed out that only work completed and claimed by the deadline will be eligible for payment.
The scheme will reopen later in 2026. Claims must be lodged online, with all supporting invoices retained.
Opt-in for suckler scheme
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has urged any remaining suckler producers who have not opted in for the Suckler Cow Scheme to do so before the deadline of 31 March 2026.
An estimate from earlier this month shows that around 2,000 eligible farm businesses had yet to opt in for the scheme and are at risk of missing out on a payment of £100 for each eligible calving event between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.
The opt in process can be completed via the DAERA website.
Muir visits Dutch dairy farm
On the second day of a visit to Belgium and the Netherlands, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has been shown around a 67-acre Dutch dairy farm with 200 cows, which is using cutting edge technology to reduce ammonia and methane emissions.
The farm in Hoeven is run by Johan Molenaar and is part of a Network of Practical Farms across the Netherlands involving 100 dairy farms focused on addressing climate related issues.
“In NI, we have a real challenge with levels of ammonia emissions which is why it’s valuable to learn from the Dutch experience of how to marry sustainable agricultural development with emissions reductions,” said Minister Muir.
Last change to claim nature payment
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has urged farmers participating in the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme to submit their claims before the 5pm deadline on 31 March 2026.
The scheme funds nature-positive actions such as habitat creation, watercourse protection and carbon sequestration.
Minister Muir pointed out that only work completed and claimed by the deadline will be eligible for payment.
The scheme will reopen later in 2026. Claims must be lodged online, with all supporting invoices retained.
SHARING OPTIONS