Tillage farmers across Ireland have received a major boost after gov.ie confirmed that every applicant to the Straw Incorporation Measure has been accepted for 2026. The latest update from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine means the Straw Incorporation Measure remains a key support for growers balancing farm income, soil management and environmental sustainability.
Announced by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD, the decision follows strong demand from the sector. According to the department, more than 73,000 hectares of cereals and oilseed rape straw were submitted for chopping and incorporation this year, underlining how widely used the scheme has become among Irish tillage farmers.
Straw Incorporation Measure demand exceeds budget
The popularity of the Straw Incorporation Measure has created a budget challenge for 2026. Claims submitted under the scheme are above the current allocation of €10 million, but the minister said he will seek additional funding so that all eligible farmers can benefit.
This is an important signal for the agriculture sector, particularly as Finance, Climate Action and Agriculture policy increasingly intersect around sustainability, emissions and land use. By supporting straw chopping and incorporation, the measure can help improve soil organic matter and reduce pressure on farm systems, while also providing a direct payment to participating growers.
- All applicants to the 2026 SIM have been accepted
- More than 73,000 hectares were entered into the scheme
- Claims have exceeded the €10 million budget
- The minister intends to seek extra funding
Why the SIM matters to Irish farmers
The Straw Incorporation Measure is especially relevant for tillage farms facing volatile input costs and changing environmental expectations. Returning straw to the soil can support long-term land health, while the scheme also offers practical financial assistance at a time when many producers are closely watching Public Expenditure decisions and wider supports published through gov.ie.
The announcement may also be of interest to agencies and policymakers connected with Rural and Community Development, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and the CSO, as farm supports continue to shape regional economies across Ireland.
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What farmers should know next
Farmers will receive their acceptance letters for the Straw Incorporation Measure in the coming days. However, the department has also made clear that applicants can still withdraw from the scheme if they have since identified a need to retain straw rather than incorporate it.
That flexibility could prove important for some holdings depending on feed, bedding or market conditions. In practical terms, farmers should review their current straw requirements before proceeding.
How to contact the department
Farmers with queries about their Straw Incorporation payment can contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the Direct Payments Helpline on 057-8674422 or by email at Tillage@agriculture.gov.ie.
This kind of direct guidance remains essential as Irish farmers navigate supports issued through gov.ie, the Revenue Commissioners and other public bodies involved in compliance, payments and sector administration.
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What this Straw Incorporation Measure update means
The decision to accept every applicant is a positive development for the tillage sector and reinforces the government’s support for practical environmental actions on farms. With demand for the Straw Incorporation Measure now outstripping available funding, attention will turn to whether additional resources are secured.
For now, the key takeaway is clear: the Straw Incorporation Measure remains a central support for Irish tillage farmers in 2026, and all applicants are set to move forward subject to final correspondence from the department.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
