€50m grant scheme to modernise dairy farms

A €50m grant scheme has been launched to help dairy farmers expand and modernise their operations — a move which could help position Ireland as the fastest growing dairy producer on the planet over the next decade.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney yesterday invited the country’s 17,000 dairy farmers to apply for up to 40% grant-aid for certain upgrade projects. He unveiled details of the TAMS II Dairy Equipment Scheme package on Tom Walsh’s dairy farm in Kildorrery, near Mitchelstown, Co Cork.

The grants will be targeted at investments in milking machines, milk cooling and storage equipment, water heating and in-parlour feeding systems.