Press release
Minister McConalogue announces €4.8 million of payments under the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM)
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, today announced payments totalling €4.8 million have commenced issuing to farmers under the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM).
The Minister commented:
“The summer of 2024 was a challenging time with reduced stocks of fodder leading to real pressure on supplies. Despite these pressures, I was able to ensure the SIM continued, while also supporting the production of fodder through the Baling Assistance Payment."
The Minister added:
“Payments under this scheme are to provide financial support for tillage farmers to increase soil organic carbon levels by chopping and incorporating straw from cereal crops. Where farmers chose to withdraw from SIM in the summer and enter the Baling Assistance Payment scheme, they will receive payment in the early part of 2025.”
Concluding, the Minister said:
“Any outstanding payments due under the SIM will continue to be paid in the coming weeks as queries are resolved where farmers have partially or fully withdrawn from SIM.”
Payments will be visible in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days.
Farmers wishing to contact the department regarding their Straw Incorporation payment, can ring the Direct Payments Helpline at 057-8674422 or by email to SIM@agriculture.gov.ie
The EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between society and agriculture that ensures a stable supply of food, safeguards farmers’ income, protects the environment and keeps rural areas vibrant. EU countries implement the CAP at national level with a tailored CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027. For more information, visit www.gov.ie/cap.
The Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) is a scheme under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023 - 2027. The scheme is designed to provide financial support for tillage farmers to increase soil organic carbon levels by chopping and incorporating straw from cereal crops.
The rate is €250 per hectare for Oats, Wheat, Barley and Rye and a lower rate of €150 for Oilseed Rape straw. Payments will be visible in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days. €4.8 million will be paid to 1,155 herds at this time.
A new Baling Assistance Payment was introduced in 2024 as an additional scheme to bolster fodder supplies which ran in tandem with SIM. This payment allowed farmers the flexibility to choose whether to receive funding by chopping straw under SIM or by baling it under the new Baling Assistance Payment. Payment is set at €175 per hectare for SIM eligible parcels withdrawn from the SIM scheme where the straw has been baled.
In line with previous years, not all applications are currently cleared for payment under the Straw Incorporation Scheme. Regular pay runs will continue in the coming weeks to ensure cleared cases are processed for payment as quickly as possible.
Farmers can ring the Helpdesk at 057-8674422. Farmers can also submit any queries they may have online via www.agfood.ie or by email to SIM@agriculture.gov.ie
| COUNTY | SIM Paid | SIM_AMT (€) |
| CARLOW | 80 | 348,298.60 |
| CAVAN | 2 | 3,829.50 |
| CLARE | 0 | - |
| CORK | 118 | 492,408.75 |
| DONEGAL | 25 | 66,866.00 |
| DUBLIN | 54 | 318,262.50 |
| GALWAY | 14 | 53,890.67 |
| KERRY | 11 | 47,323.25 |
| KILDARE | 77 | 351,771.62 |
| KILKENNY | 44 | 158,136.50 |
| LAOIS | 51 | 174,938.50 |
| LEITRIM | 2 | 4,742.50 |
| LIMERICK | 2 | 11,600.00 |
| LONGFORD | 1 | 2,120.00 |
| LOUTH | 99 | 402,949.17 |
| MAYO | 0 | - |
| MEATH | 148 | 676,867.95 |
| MONAGHAN | 6 | 14,966.00 |
| OFFALY | 28 | 99,615.50 |
| ROSCOMMON | 4 | 15,582.50 |
| SLIGO | 0 | - |
| TIPPERARY | 80 | 334,573.50 |
| WATERFORD | 22 | 89,515.00 |
| WESTMEATH | 35 | 143,985.50 |
| WEXFORD | 206 | 847,007.29 |
| WICKLOW | 46 | 208,010.97 |
| Total | 1155 | 4,867,261.77 |