Imported fertiliser is getting more expensive and harder to source. Clover is a homegrown answer.
This morning our Grass and Forage Development Manager, Dr Patrick Cashman, joined RTE’s David McCullagh Show to talk about the new clover varieties we are bringing to Irish farms and how they can reduce our reliance on imported chemical fertiliser.
Developed in partnership with @teagasc through our Pasture Innovations programme, these varieties fix nitrogen naturally in the sward. The result is healthier animals, stronger grass growth and a more sustainable, lower-cost system.
With instability in the Middle East pushing fertiliser prices up and tightening supply, that matters for farm margins, for food prices and for Ireland’s food security. A simple, proven solution is already growing in our fields.
The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine have announced the opening of the 2023 Multi-Species Sward and Red Clover Silage measures as part the Government’s commitment to facilitating Irish farmers further improve the sustainability of Irish agriculture. Funding for these measures has been increased to €2.5m to allow for greater support in establishing these swards.
Key changes to measures from last year’s pilot scheme.
⒈Payments will be made directly to the approved farmer on a per hectare basis.
⒉The payment rate has been increased to a potential €300/Ha, this will reduce if applications exceed the available combined budget for both measures.
⒊To receive payment under either measure an applicant must indicate the correct crop type on their 2023 BISS application.
Some of the key points on how these programmes operate.
✔︎ The application portal will close on the 29th May, 2023
✔︎ To be eligible under these Measures, the swards must be sown by 15th July and established by 30th September 2023
✔︎ At the claim stage, applicants must indicate the area sown as multi-species/red clover and upload their supporting documentation online i.e. invoices and seed labels.
✔︎ In order to receive payment under the Red Clover Silage Measure for the parcel(s) where they are sowing the red clover silage mixture, an applicant must indicate the crop type as Red Clover on their 2023 BISS application,
✔︎ Under the Measures, swards are not permitted to be sown on Commonage land, Natura 2000 sites, NHA designated land, Environmentally Sensitive Permanent Grassland or within archaeological monument buffer zones.
✔︎ 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 these Measures.
Prospective applicants should read the Terms and Conditions published at
We use essential cookies to make this website work. With your permission, we also use cookies to measure website visits and advertising through Google Analytics and Meta. Choose Accept All, Reject or Preferences. You can change your choice at any time.
