Knowledge Transfer Scheme

Knowledge Transfer provides funding for Knowledge Transfer Groups across a number of sectors.

Under the Rural Development Programme, financial support is provided for Knowledge Transfer Groups across the beef, sheep, dairy, poultry, tillage and equine sectors.

Funding of €100 million been made available and it is expected that 27,000 farmers will participate in knowledge transfer groups during the 3-year programme.

Application

The application process involves a two-stage approach: an initial call for expressions of interest by facilitators, followed by registration of groups by approved facilitators.

Get terms and conditions & application forms for each of the schemes:

Beef
Terms and Conditions
Application Form

Sheep
Terms and Conditions
Application Form

Tillage
Terms and Conditions
Application Form

Requirements

• Each participant will be required to attend a minimum of 5 knowledge exchange meetings/4 meetings and one national event, facilitated by a DAFM approved advisor.
• All participants will also be required, following one-to-one discussion with the advisor, to complete a tailored Farm Improvement Plan (FIP) involving a: 1. Profit Monitor, 2. Carbon Navigator/Sustainability Management Plan, 3. Herd Health Plan (in conjunction with a veterinarian), and 4. Breeding Plan.
• Over the period of the programme, advisors will be required to hold one meeting on Health and Safety with a recognised expert in attendance and a further meeting with a qualified Veterinary Practitioner in attendance.
• The FIP will be completed by all participants as part of one to one consultations with their approved advisor.
• The herd health element will be developed in conjunction with a qualified veterinary practitioner. It is expected that the herd health element will involve a total of 4 hours over the period of the programme, with payment to issue from the participating farmer directly to the veterinary practitioner.

Each approved advisor must prepare for and hold a minimum of 5 Knowledge Exchange meetings and oversee the preparation and submission of a FIP for each participating farmer.

Advisors will also be responsible for confirming the completion of scheme requirements by participating farmers.

Payments

A total of €750 annually will be paid for each participating farmer for each of the three years they successfully complete. The payment will be made to the advisor, who will be paid a separate payment of €500 per farmer per year.

Payments will issue by the end of March of the year following application to all Knowledge Transfer participants who have satisfactorily completed the previous year’s conditions.

Inspections

Farmers will be inspected on attendance at meetings as set out in the Terms and Conditions and completion of an individualized farm improvement plan. Inspections will be on a random basis in 2015 and in subsequent years a combination of risk and random.