Payments commence under the 2025 Multi-Species Sward and Red Clover Silage Measures
- Foilsithe: 18 Samhain 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 18 Samhain 2025
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, today announced the commencement of payments under the 2025 Multi-Species Sward and Red Clover Silage Measures.
Minister Heydon noted:
“I am delighted that payments exceeding €2.1 million will issue to over 1,200 farmers for these measures in the coming days. In 2025, farmers have continued to show interest in both these crops, and matching this interest, my Department has ensured that the payment rate of €300/ha is maintained. Eligible applicants will receive a payment on a maximum of 20 hectares per measure.”
Minister Heydon also noted that:
“These measures have enabled farmers to take advantage of the significant environmental and nutritional benefits possible from these swards and provide information for future management of such swards. These two measures have significantly increased our understanding of the benefits obtained from both crops, and how they should be managed for best results.”
In cases where the Department has requested further information, farmers are encouraged to return the required supporting documentary evidence as early as possible to allow payments to issue.
Notes
These measures 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 and is part of the government’s response to meeting increased input costs and sustainable farming practices.
Multi-Species Swards have been shown to be beneficial in maintaining high forage yields using significantly less nitrogen fertiliser. This has 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, improved soil structure and soil porosity and reduced anthelmintic requirements.
Given the cost of fertiliser and feed, and increasing environmental constraints, incorporating Red Clover into swards can offer significant benefits. 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.