Farming News
The latest farming news, events and scheme updates from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
CAP Strategic Plan Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme opens to new applicants
The reopening of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme (DBWS) for new applicants has been announced.
9 April
Additional financial support available for farmers towards BVD eradication
Additional financial support to farmers to help assist BVD tissue testing for 2025 has been announced.
1 April
Open Call for Proposals for Forestry Promotion Projects for 2025/2026 launched
Open Call for Proposals for Forestry Promotion Projects for 2025/2026 has been launched. This public call for innovative projects will support and highlight the environmental, social and economic benefits of forestry, forests and timber products. Funding will be allocated by means of an open competition under a Forestry Promotion Projects Support Fund.
31 March
New €22 million National Sheep Welfare Scheme
Applications for the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) are now open. The scheme builds on the 2024 scheme. It allows farmers to carry out an additional action to maximise their scheme payments.
31 March
The Food Vision 2030 Dashboard has been launched. The Dashboard is a key component of the implementation and monitoring of Food Vision 2030 and is being launched on a phased basis. The dashboard establishes baseline data that will be used to assess, monitor and identify progress in achieving sustainability ambitions under Food Vision 2030, encompassing all the different pillars of sustainability - economic, environmental and social.
27 March
New €4 million Dairy Beef Measure launched
A new National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme (NDBWS), which will support farmers rearing progeny from the dairy herd has launched. The scheme to be implemented in 2025 has a budget of €4 million. Applications for the 2025 NDBWS must be lodged online through agfood.ie before midnight on Thursday, 15 May 2025.
25 March
Continued vigilance urged following reports of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Slovakia
Slovakia confirmed three outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle today. Given the highly contagious nature of the FMD virus, everyone in Ireland, particularly farmers, are urged to stay vigilant and to protect our Irish livestock. Those travelling to Ireland from FMD affected countries should take every precaution not to bring the disease with them via contaminated meat, dairy and materials such as clothing, shoes and equipment.
21 March
Department hosts in-person Farmer Clinics for BISS 2025 and other area related schemes
At a nationwide series of clinics, staff from the Department will provide one-to-one support to assist farmers to submit their scheme applications well in advance of the closing date of 15 May 2025. These clinics are particularly useful for farmers who do not have an FAS approved advisor to assist them with their application.
21 March
100% approval of all eligible TAMS 3 Tranche 5 Applications
100% of all eligible applications submitted in tranche five of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) will be approved. To deal specifically with storm-related damage on farms, a new TAMS tranche will open immediately after the current tranche has closed on Friday, 7 March 2025, and will close on Friday, 28 March 2025.
6 March
ACRES Payment Update – 07 April 2025
A total of €436 million has been paid to date (5 March 2025) to ACRES participants. The department is continuing to progress the contracts awaiting final payment in respect of 2023 and/or advance payment in respect of 2024, with the target of having as many as possible cleared by May 2025, with the most complex cases to be finalised in June 2025 at the latest. Balancing payments in respect of participation in ACRES in 2024 are scheduled to commence in the second half of May 2025.
5 March
As part of the government’s plan to improve water quality and secure Ireland’s next Nitrates Derogation, it was agreed with the Commission that an interim review of the 5th Nitrates Action Programme which runs to the end of 2025 would take place. This interim review has now concluded with the signing into law of a revised regulation. The regulation includes a number of strengthened and new measures which were developed in consultation with the Nitrates Expert Group as well as stakeholders on the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group.
28 February
ACRES Circular 8 of 2025 - ACRES Annual Declaration for Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) 2024
There is a large number of ACRES LESS returns still outstanding. To give the ACRES participants concerned a further, and final, opportunity to submit their Annual Declaration for the Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) in respect of 2024, the final date for submission of the LESS returns has been extended to Friday, 14 March 2025. Failure to return the LESS declaration by that date will result in the rejection of the LESS action from their ACRES contract.
21 February
A compulsory housing order for poultry and captive birds, to protect them from the risk of avian influenza came into effect on Monday, 17 February 2025.
12 February
2025 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) opens for applications
Over the coming weeks, farmers will receive their 2025 BISS packs in the post. The pack contains a cover letter and a statement of lands. Farmers can apply for all elements of Direct Payments (BISS, Eco-Schemes, Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers, Protein Aid, National Reserve, transferring of entitlements) online. The closing date for BISS applications is Thursday, 15 May, 2025.
11 February
Forest Windblow Taskforce Announced
The Taskforce will comprise stakeholders representing forest owners, forestry companies, Teagasc and Coillte. It will inform the department’s, and the wider sector’s, response to the storms, with particular emphasis on dealing safely with the large areas of forest that have been blown down. This will include a plan around the prioritisation of felling licences in respect of storm damage, and an examination of any issues that arise in relation to the harvesting, haulage and sawmilling of the blown trees.
29 January
Windblow and Storm damage Guidance for Forest Owners
If you experience windblow, the most important advice is not to rush into any decisions but to make a step-by-step plan to minimise risk and maximise the salvage value of your plantation. Think Safety first - A windblown forest is a dangerous place. Only qualified and insured operators should be permitted access.
23 January
Spring Beans Recommended List 2025
This Recommended List details the spring bean varieties that are considered most suitable for growing under Irish conditions. The varieties included on the Recommended List have completed a minimum of three years in department trials.
16 January
- Foilsithe: 17 Eanáir 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 14 Aibreán 2025