2023 Multi Species Sward Measure

What is the Multi Species Sward Measure?

This Measure aims to incentivise farmers to sow multi-species swards, which will reduce the reliance on nitrogen fertilisers and promote a more sustainable method of farming. A financial contribution will be provided to participating applicants to offset part of the cost that farmers will incur in the establishment of these swards. This measure will build on the areas established under the 2022 pilot programme and will make a positive contribution to targets set under the EU Green Deal strategies including the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategy as well as goals set in the Climate Action Plan 2023.

Research work carried out on multi-species swards has shown positive results around low nitrogen fertiliser use, which will have a beneficial impact on nitrous oxide emissions. Other benefits arising from this Measure include improved biodiversity, greater tolerance to drought conditions and reduced anthelmintic requirements due to the presence of chicory and plantain.

Key Changes When Compared to Last Year’s Pilot Measure

Payments will now be made directly to the approved farmer on a per hectare basis.

The payment rate has been increased significantly up to a potential €300 per hectare where eligible swards are established. A reduced payment rate per hectare will apply as appropriate if eligible applications exceed the available budget for the Measure.

To receive payment under this Measure, an applicant must indicate the correct crop type on their 2023 BISS application.

How to Qualify

To be eligible for the Multi-Species Sward Measure, you must:

Apply online at agfood.ie by the closing date of midnight on 29th May 2023.
To apply for the Multi-Species Swards Measure, an applicant/their agent log into Agfood.ie and then select “Multi-Species Sward and Red Clover Silage Measure”, they then select “Schemes to Enter” and finally “Multi-Species Sward Measure (MSSM) 2023”.

Applicants must agree to the declarations and Terms & Conditions (it is not necessary to declare areas to be sown at application stage).

The Multi-Species Sward must be grown on lands declared on the approved applicant’s 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Scheme application.

In order to receive payment under this measure an applicant must indicate the crop type as Multi Species Swards on their 2023 BISS Scheme application, on the parcel(s) where they are sowing multi-species sward mixture.

The following crop types are included on the 2023 BISS online portal for this purpose:

• Permanent Pasture (MSS measure) (for reseeding permanent pasture with multi-species sward mixture)
• Grass Year 1 (MSS measure) (for multi-species sward mixture following an arable crop)

Only seed purchased after the application is lodged on Agfood.ie and before the final date for sowing the crop, 15th July 2023 is eligible under this measure.

Applicants participating in the Multi-Species Sward Eco Scheme are eligible to participate in the Multi-Species Sward Measure but will only be eligible where the measures are adopted in separate parcels.

Lands that are Ineligible to Participate in the Multi-Species Sward Measure

The following land categories are excluded from the Multi-Species Sward Measure:

• Commonage land

• Natura 2000 sites

• NHA designated land

• Environmentally Sensitive Permanent Grassland

• Land within archaeological monument buffer zones.

Rate of Payment

Once an applicant has been approved under the Multi Species Sward Measure a payment of up to €300/ha will be provided to participating applicants to offset part of the cost that farmers will incur in the establishment of these swards. A reduced payment rate per hectare will apply as appropriate if eligible applications exceed the available budget for the Measure.

Multi Species Sward Measure Terms and Conditions

Multi Species Sward Measure: Your Questions Answered

Contact

Multi Species Sward Measure
Address: Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford. , Y35 PN52
Email: [email protected]
Phone number: 053 9163425