An unprecedented number of applications over the last number of days have been submitted to the Department of Agriculture , partly driven by ongoing rumors of its possible closure. This recent surge has led to increased speculation that the scheme may be forced to close shortly.

Up until two weeks ago 4 , 200 FIS applications had been received by the Department of Agriculture. Applications dramatically increased last week by 1 , 300 to 5 , 500 applications. To date, a further 1 , 700 applications were received this week. The Department of Agriculture has now received over 7 , 200 FIS applications. This figure is once again set to rise as Teagasc and independent advisers are in the process of preparing further applications.

A Department of Agriculture source has denied that the scheme will close anytime soon but has confirmed that there are a lot of applications currently in the pipeline. The official described the number of applications as ' surprisingly high ' , given the 46,000 applications for last year 's Farm Waste Management scheme.

The Rural Development Plan has estimated funding for 10,000 farmers under the Farm Improvement Scheme. That figure relates to the number of approvals issued by the Department and not the number of applications received. The Dept. of Agric. work to a 20% drop-out of farmers who file applications but never go on complete projects. So a figure of 12,000 applications received by the Department may become the cut-off point, which will ultimately lead to the suspension of the scheme.

Applications for the scheme were originally to be accepted up to 31 December 2013 "unless the financial ceiling fixed for the scheme is reached before then". An allocation of €85m has been set aside for the scheme, with partial EU funding of 50%. One thousand approvals have been issued to date and the majority of these are non-construction/equipment grants.

Now that Health and Safety problems have been ironed out approvals under the scheme, which had been slow in coming, should be processed faster.

The Irish Farmers Association say there is no reason why the Farm Improvement Scheme cannot run for its envisaged seven year lifespan. According to Padraig Walshe, the IFA president, sustained funding for the Farm Improvement Scheme is a priority area and the necessary funding must be urgently secured.

"The FIS is a scheme that farmers are very interested in, particularly in the current climate of on-farm investment relating to nitrates regulations. Additional funding for the scheme has to be a priority, " said Mr Walshe.

The IFA are urging any farmer that plans to send his application to do so immediately. If they do not they will miss out on the opportunity.

The pre-budget estimates for 2008 outlined last week show an increase in money available for on-farm investments with €183 million allocated for all on farm investment, including work carried out next year for the 60% grant aided Farm Waste Management Scheme.

President of the ICMSA, Mr Jackie Cahill, said it would be a fundamental breach of the understanding that was reached under the Partnership Agreement if the Department of Agriculture closes the Farm Improvement Scheme while there are still high levels of applications waiting to be made. "The Government has imposed excessive obligations and constraints on farmers and the FIS is an essential scheme to help support farmers to comply. Under the Partnership Agreement we were of the understanding that this scheme would be depend on demand, and that it would not close due to a shortage of funding, " said Mr Cahill.

Where possible do not use paddocks on either side of a road as the young calves may dart across the road. Some nasty road accidents have been caused as a result of bad weaning management. If cows are housed the calves can be put in the field or paddock nearest to the house , which means that even if they break they will not do much damage.

---