The introduction of mandatory electronic tagging for all sheep since 1 June 2019 understandably remains a point of contention for most sheep farmers.

Tag suppliers and sheep handling equipment manufacturers say there is a slow build-up of interest in EID tag readers and management software from farmers looking to get a better return from their investment in tags.

There are two groups reported with greater interest – farmers looking to record lamb performance from birth and specialist store lamb producers.

The latter is an area where questions are being raised regularly about the eligibility of store lamb producers to secure grant aid for electronic identification equipment and indeed sheep handling equipment and sheep fencing.

This is stemming from a previous eligibility requirement to possess a given number of ewes.

The latest terms and conditions show that possessing adult sheep will suffice and states: “To qualify for sheep fencing an applicant must own and possess a yearly average of 40 adult sheep (weaned lamb or older) at time of application or at the latest by the date the claim is submitted for payment.

Applicants must maintain a sheep enterprise for at least five years from the date of payment of grant aid.”

An applicant’s sheep census is generally used to denote sheep numbers on the holding but an applicant’s flock register may also be sought to confirm numbers.

Tranche closing dates

The closing date for the current tranche of TAMS II is 4 October 2019. Going on the experience of recent tranches which have been oversubscribed, it is likely that it will be the end of the year – at the earliest –before applications are sorted and prioritised and approval is either granted or denied. Early lamb producers and, in particular, pedigree breeders who see electronic identification as streamlining performance recording should bear this in mind and get their application submitted in the current tranche.

Investment rates

The reference cost for a PDA EID tag reader and management software package is €1,820, while the reference cost for an EID tag reader and software is €710.

Grant aid is payable on the lower of the reference cost or receipted cost at a rate of 60% for eligible young farmers and 40% for all other farmers.

Minimum investment

It is important to note that TAMS II has a minimum investment requirement of €2,000 per application, meaning for farmers to make a successful application for EID equipment they must also make additional investments to bring the eligible cost up the €2,000 minimum level.

A full list of eligible items and reference costs can be accessed at www.agriculture.gov.ie/ farmerschemespayments/tams.

Tag manufacturers report there is still a significant number of farmers who have yet to avail of the Department of Agriculture funded EID tag subsidy.

The once-off payment is calculated on the basis of €1 per single electronic tag or electronic tag set, meaning that for a producer to get the maximum subsidy of €100, they must purchase either 100 single EID tags/EID tag sets or a combination of the two tag types. The minimum subsidy is €10 or a minimum of 10 tags.

Farmers do not need to apply for this scheme as tag orders will be picked up by the Department’s system being linked with tag suppliers.

It should be highlighted that the subsidy is only payable on the first order of tags made between 1 October 2018 and 30 September 2019.

Orders made after 30 September 2019 will not be eligible for the subsidy. Payments are made in a tranche system with the final payment due in October 2019.