can smallholders apply?

nihicib2

Just wondering if there's any grants/aid available for smallholders, that is is there anything smallholders could apply for under the farming schemes. We have five acres and the same again rented, keep two Dexter cattle as well as pigs, goats and fowl. I work full time and my partner looks after the 'farm' we both have herd numbers, me for the cattle and him for the pigs, I know its a long shot but guess its a question smallholders should ask, that is, is there any schemes etc that smallholders could apply for, such as REPS

Hope all that makes sense

:rolleyes:

Username John

nihicib2 wrote: »

Just wondering if there's any grants/aid available for smallholders, that is is there anything smallholders could apply for under the farming schemes. We have five acres and the same again rented, keep two Dexter cattle as well as pigs, goats and fowl. I work full time and my partner looks after the 'farm' we both have herd numbers, me for the cattle and him for the pigs, I know its a long shot but guess its a question smallholders should ask, that is, is there any schemes etc that smallholders could apply for, such as REPS

Hope all that makes sense

:rolleyes:

Hi nihicib2,

As far as I know there isnt really any schemes as such now - REPS4 is gone, AEOS which was its replacement, is closed.

Not sure about Single Farm payment - there is talk that this will be area based, as opposed to stock based... but its all pretty much speculation at this point. Might be worth ringing the dept to find out.

Q for you - I assume that as ye have a herd number, ye still have the same rules as 'commercial' farmers? Slurry storage for cattle is prob the biggest one?

PS - Did you buy that tractor in the end, I remember you asking about it in the Farming section.

nihicib2

Hi John

well we have a Dexter heifer and her calf, yes we have a pig and cattle heard number but to be honest when it came to being inspected the fella just looked at the stables we have for the animals and said it'll be fine, so we were never told to get anything at all. We had a cattle crush which was all he really was concerned about, our Dexter is a short legged one and hardly the height of a kitchen table so maybe didn't apply to her. They are hardy breeds so usually kept outside all the time although we bring her in if it is really bad (softy that I am).

Yup we bought the 135 in the end, suits us right down to the ground for the bog n stuff, we wouldn't really use her every day so. Was just chancing me arm with the question about payments but sure as a wise person once said, the only stupid question is the one not asked.

B:P

scub

have you considered organic schemes? However, for the size of land the paperwork might not be worth it........

nihicib2

Scub, wouldn't really be able to afford to go organic, we would have to order separate organic food for all the animals and it would be too expensive, we grow all our vegetables organically but with the different animals we have, to get organic feed (if we could) would break the bank completely

B:rolleyes:

Joe the Plumber

Depending on what part of the country you are in you could be eligable for the DAS (disadvantaged area scheme) or Area Aid.

Around 40 euro per acre per year, I think.

Also is there woodland on your farm? grant going for existing native woodlands as well.

If you keep certain breed of cows you can apply for a subsidy, Kerrys, and the like.

nihicib2

Joe the Plumber wrote: »

Depending on what part of the country you are in you could be eligable for the DAS (disadvantaged area scheme) or Area Aid.

Around 40 euro per acre per year, I think.

Also is there woodland on your farm? grant going for existing native woodlands as well.

If you keep certain breed of cows you can apply for a subsidy, Kerrys, and the like.

Thanks for that Joe I'll check those out, as the dreaded Tesco says 'every little helps'

B

St. Leibowitz

... I like to think they're saying "Every Lidl helps " !!

PANADOL

nihicib2 wrote: »

Just wondering if there's any grants/aid available for smallholders, that is is there anything smallholders could apply for under the farming schemes. We have five acres and the same again rented, keep two Dexter cattle as well as pigs, goats and fowl. I work full time and my partner looks after the 'farm' we both have herd numbers, me for the cattle and him for the pigs, I know its a long shot but guess its a question smallholders should ask, that is, is there any schemes etc that smallholders could apply for, such as REPS

Hope all that makes sense

:rolleyes:

there is a provision for smalll farmers in the new cap about 1500 / year the way farming is gone its all about acreage you need at least 60 acres to draw anything reasonable but then your running costs are low just diesel for de 35

selfbuildkk

Sorry to be dragging up an old thread but didnt want to start a new one as this is close enough to what I wanted to ask.
We have just recently bought a farmhouse on 20 acres and like the OP was wondering what grand aid was available and where to even start. In the process of getting a herd number.
We plan on keep Sporthorses, and other livestock to help with the grazing. Is there somewhere/one that you can talk to, and in an ideal world say "this is what I have/plan to do, what are my options?". All help greatly appreciated and mods feel free to move if im in the wrong place.
Thanks.

Dazzler88

selfbuildkk wrote: »

Sorry to be dragging up an old thread but didnt want to start a new one as this is close enough to what I wanted to ask.
We have just recently bought a farmhouse on 20 acres and like the OP was wondering what grand aid was available and where to even start. In the process of getting a herd number.
We plan on keep Sporthorses, and other livestock to help with the grazing. Is there somewhere/one that you can talk to, and in an ideal world say "this is what I have/plan to do, what are my options?". All help greatly appreciated and mods feel free to move if im in the wrong place.
Thanks.

all depends on what route you want to go.If you want to get cattle,you will need a Herd number,you will need to get a cattle crush and some sort of shed,a guy from the dept. will come out to inspect it.If you want to keep Sheep you will need to get a Flock number,for this you will need some sort of pens for handling sheep and make sure the land is stockproof,well fenced.

What type of land is it??Good land or Rough grazing?

Dazzler88

nihicib2 wrote: »

our Dexter is a short legged one

Just wondering how the Dexter's are doing for you?After watching ETTG last night,im thinking of buying a few.What are they like for calving?Do you use a Dexter bull?When do you sell your calves,at how many months?

selfbuildkk

Thanks for the reply, land is all good and there are multiple sheds and outhouses suitable for animals, it was once part of an old dairy and we got the yard, house and the 20 acres. Theres also a large concrete standing with a cattle crush. We plan to keep cattle as well as the horses.thanks again all help is greatly appreciated.

Sorry the land is all well fenced, some walled, post and railed and wired electric.

bozd

just got off phone from department - I have 2.33 forage hectares and get a few quid via disadvantaged and area aid. its worth putting it in because you have a herd number anyway and the maps are there so why not? at least it will pay for the tb test and a bit more.

I have over the years claimed back tax on improvemtns to roads, fencing and building and drainage - this is the vat amount - roll it over for a couple of years and it can add up - money came in very handy.

also if you claim grants then it is subject to tax so are you setting up as a selfemployed farmer? again you can claim for repairs to fencing, buildings etc . if you are earning a salary this loss - what else would it be can be written-off against your other income and so reducing your overall tax bill!

have fun

Ding Dong

Thats interesting. so can you claim some of these, even if u are already in full time employment?

bozd

once you get income from any source - ie singe payment etc. you should declare it - according to the revenue - they know everything:p

I did up sheds etc. claimed depreciation etc. on buildings etc. and also capital allowances - spread over 6? years - anyway you can get money back is worth it in my books. easy to do once you get used to it.

think you can amalgamate 6 years of receipts on capital projects and reclaim the vat - thats if your not registered for vat of course.revenue site is pretty detailed and has all the info. got back about €4000 over the years. did this while paye - offset farm loss against this income:rolleyes:

nihicib2

Dazzler88 wrote: »

Just wondering how the Dexter's are doing for you?After watching ETTG last night,im thinking of buying a few.What are they like for calving?Do you use a Dexter bull?When do you sell your calves,at how many months?

We only have a Dexter heifer and her calf, she calved no bother, without any help, we are keeping the calf to slaughter it and to be honest we're just learning as this is our first cow and calf.