National Reserve (Young Farmer Category)

The National Reserve (Young Farmer Category) scheme provides income support to young farmers setting up farms.

To qualify for National Reserve (Young Farmer Category), you must be:

• participating in the 2025 Basic Income Support for Sustainability scheme under a herd number on which you are included

• aged no more than 40 years of age at any time during the calendar year in which you first submit an application under the National Reserve

• setting up as the head of a farm for the first time or have set one up during the five years preceding the first submission of the National Reserve application

• finished a recognised course of education in agriculture achieving an award at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications or its equivalent by 15 May 2025

If you are farming as part of a group, for example a partnership or a company, the group may be considered eligible for the scheme. See the conditions of the scheme at the bottom of this page.

Successful applicants to the National Reserve receive an allocation of entitlements at national average value or a top-up to the national average value on entitlements that are below that level.

The maximum number of entitlements or top-ups allocated per applicant is 50.

Applications under the National Reserve scheme must be submitted on or before 15 May 2025 through agfood.ie.

If your login or password are expired and need to be renewed please contact the Department’s helpdesk at 057 8674422. Alternatively, you can authorise an agricultural consultant or Teagasc advisor to apply on your behalf.

You must read the Terms and Conditions