1,546 Kilkenny farmers to benefit from Fodder Scheme payments

Advance payments to farmers under the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme have commenced, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue, T.D., has announced.  In County Kilkenny 1,546 farmers will benefit from the scheme. 

PICTURES: Kilkenny City Vocational School Winter Wonderland 2022

Pictures by Vicky Comerford - pick up next week's Kilkenny People for full write-up!

 “I am pleased to announce that my Department has commenced issuing advance payments under the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme to over 67,000 eligible applicants this week. Each farmer will receive an advance payment of 57% of their total payment due in 2023," Minister McConalogue said.

“These payments, along with the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme payments issued in recent weeks, will further assist farmers in dealing with the increase in agricultural input costs, in particular for chemical fertliliser, and the impact that will have on the quantity of fodder produced and conserved next year.”

 The 2023 Scheme is a continuance of the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme and aims to incentivise in particular, drystock farmers, to grow fodder (silage and/or hay) in 2023 to ensure the maximum amount of cattle and sheep feed is grown.  Successful applicants for the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme were eligible to apply for the 2023 Scheme. 

PICTURES: Lions Club Schools' Christmas Concert in Kilkenny 2022

Pictures by Harry Reid

Minister McConalogue added: “The initial budget for the Fodder Support Scheme is €30 million, with an overall payment rate of up to €100 per hectare. I have stated previously that I will continue to monitor the situation around the price of agricultural inputs into 2023 and, in the event that they remain high, I will be seeking additional funding for this Scheme”

As part of the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme, applicants agreed to the terms and conditions of the scheme which clearly state that where an applicant fails to deliver some or all of the Scheme requirements in 2023, recoupment of some or all of the monies already paid will apply. Applicants need to be mindful of this when cutting silage and/or hay in 2023 on the areas declared in the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme. 

Applicants will have an opportunity to amend the area declared for the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme when the Scheme’s online system reopens in the period May/June 2023.

“I also take this opportunity to encourage any participants in the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme that received correspondence from my Department to respond promptly to ensure no further delay to their payments," the Minister concluded.

7 celebrity chefs reveal the Christmas dinner side dishes they love the best

The Minister encouraged any farmers with queries in relation to the Fodder Support Scheme to direct them by email to fss@agriculture.gov.ie