With May 1 rolling around next week, farmers are being reminded that the deadlines for a number of scheme applications are fast approaching.

During this hectic time of the year, filling out scheme applications is often put on the long finger, especially for dairy farmers as they go straight from calving into breeding.

However, this can be a costly mistake as it is easy for deadline dates to slip the mind until after the expiration date when things begin to quiet down again.

If you have not yet done so, you should be taking the time this week to sit down for a couple of hours to apply for the schemes you are eligible to.

BISS

Farmers are being reminded that applications for the Basic Income Support Scheme (BISS) must be in before Friday, May 15.

During the application process, farmers can apply online for all elements of direct payments which include:

BISS;
Eco-schemes;
Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF);
Protein Aid;
National Reserve;
Transferring of entitlements.

When you are applying for BISS, ensure that you have correctly applied for Area of Natural Constraints (ANC), ECO, and continued participation in CISYF, if applicable.

Annual payment claims for the Straw Incorporation Measure, the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and the Organic Farming Scheme can also be made online, along with the Multi-species Sward Measure and the Red Clover Silage Measure.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has urged farmers to carefully read the terms and conditions of schemes before applying, as there has been some changes since the 2025 scheme.

Nitrates

For farmers seeking a Nitrates Derogation in 2026, they need to be aware that the deadline for submitting an application is also Friday, May 15, 2026.

The dairy cow band must also be confirmed for 2026 through the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation's (ICBF's) website before May 15, 2026.

Farmers will be able to declare what crude protein is in their concentrates fed to the their cows across the year, which can bring down their excretion rate/cow.

If farmers fail to confirm their herd's band, it will be automatically selected at the highest excretion rate band of 106kg nitrogen (N)/cow for 2026, until the farmer submits appropriate information to the department to confirm their appropriate band.

CAP Strategic Plan Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan (CSP) Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme also reopened for new applicants this week (Tuesday, April 21).

With €5.98 million issued to an estimated 9,175 farmers in February 2026, it may be worth looking into the eligibility criteria ahead of breeding.

This scheme is designed to support farmers to improve animal health and welfare by using genetically superior beef sires for breeding dairy-beef calves.

The CSP Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme offers payment rates of €20/eligible calf up to a maximum of 50 calves per holding.

Considering how many farmers are already producing these calves, they may as well avail of the €20/head offering while they can.

To be eligible, artificial insemination (AI) straws must be used or stock bulls with a minimum rating of 3-stars on the ICBF Dairy Beef Index (DBI) and on the beef sub-index of the DBI.

Farmers who enrolled in the scheme last year will automatically be rolled over.

Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme

The National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme has also returned for the 2026 season.

The scheme is open to dairy farmers rearing their own calves, as well as non-dairy farmers who are rearing dairy-beef calves.

The scheme is offering payments of €20 per eligible calf, again with a maximum of 50 calves per holding available.

Applications for the 2025 Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme must be lodged online through agfood.ie before midnight on May 15, 2026.

DAFM have confirmed that late applications will be accepted until midnight on June 9, 2025 - however, they will be subject to payment deductions.

Sheep schemes

For sheep farmers, the National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) is back up and running, with €13/ewe available to eligible applicants.

To avail of the funding, sheep farmers must complete three actions, eligible applicants can choose to complete only two actions, but funding will be reduced to €8/ewe.

Farmers interested must apply before the end of the day on Friday, May 15.

The Sheep Improvement Scheme has also returned for its fourth year in a bid to enhance animal health and welfare in the Irish sheep industry.

Eligible farmers get up to €12 per breeding ewe per annum for completing flock welfare measures.

First-time applicants must apply before 11.59p.m on April 29, 2026.