Payments commence under the 2023 Multi-Species Sward and Red Clover Silage Measures
- Published on: 22 December 2023
- Last updated on: 13 April 2024
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, today announced the commencement of payments under the 2023 Multi-Species Sward and Red Clover Silage Measures.
Announcing the payments, Minister McConalogue commented:
“I am delighted to confirm that payments exceeding €1.1 million will issue for these measures in the coming days. These measures will expand the areas already established under last year’s pilot programme and will take advantage of the environmental benefits these swards provide.
“Funding was increased for these measures in 2023 to allow for greater support in establishing these swards. Eligible applicants will receive a payment rate of €300/ha which represents a significant increase on the rate of aid paid in 2022.”
Claims currently under query will continue to be paid in the coming weeks as they are resolved.
Notes
These Measure were introduced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to promote environmentally sustainable methods of farming, which will have a positive impact on climate emissions, biodiversity and water quality.
The payment rate is €300/ha which represents a significant increase in the rate of aid paid last year and is part of the government’s response to meeting increased input costs.
Trial work on Multi-Species Swards has shown positive results around low nitrogen fertiliser use which will have a beneficial impact on nitrous oxide emissions while reducing input costs for farmers. Other benefits arising from this measure include improved biodiversity, greater tolerance to drought conditions and reduced anthelmintic requirements.
Research carried out on Red Clover Silage has shown that due to its nitrogen fixing ability these swards are higher in protein than conventional silage and combined with their ability to yield over 14t DM/ha will assist farmers in reducing their concentrate feed bills.