Government to Accept All Applicants into 2026 Straw Incorporation Scheme

The Government has confirmed that every farmer who applied to the 2026 Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) will be accepted into the scheme, despite demand exceeding the available budget.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said the measure has once again proved extremely popular with tillage farmers, with more than 73,000 hectares of cereal and oilseed rape straw submitted for chopping and incorporation this year.

However, the level of applications has surpassed the scheme's €10 million funding allocation.

Despite this, the Minister says he is committed to ensuring no eligible applicant loses out.

He said he will now seek additional funding to cover all successful applications, describing the scheme as important not only for supporting farm incomes but also for improving the environmental sustainability of the tillage sector.

The Straw Incorporation Measure encourages farmers to chop and incorporate straw back into the soil, helping to improve soil organic matter, soil structure and long-term productivity while reducing the need for burning or removing straw.

Acceptance letters will begin issuing to applicants over the coming days.

The Department has also reminded farmers that those who now require straw for livestock or other purposes can still withdraw from the scheme before proceeding.

Farmers with queries about their payment can contact the Department of Agriculture's Direct Payments Helpline or email the Department's tillage section

North Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne said the support was vital for farmers