Ábagh Harten, Walsh Scholar, Teagasc Ballinrobe tells us why, with more than half the year behind us, now is the ideal moment to pause and look at your stocking rates to ensure you stay on course for the coming months.
The Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme offers payments to farmers with land in designated regions who encounter significant challenges due to factors like remoteness, difficult terrain, climatic problems, and poor soil quality.
The scheme maintains a three-category approach where support is given to farmers based on the category of their land.
| Category | Description |
| Category 1 | Extensive farming practices focused on livestock management on higher ground. |
| Category 2 | Extensive livestock grazing on practices on lower ground. |
| Category 3 | Less extensive in nature and characterised by grazing livestock practices. |
The ANC scheme requires applicants to maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.10 livestock units (LU) per forage hectare for a minimum of 28 consecutive weeks. Applicants must also maintain an annual average stocking rate calculated over the 12 months of the year.
Applicants must also have submitted a BISS application each year declaring their ANC land and have applied for the ANC scheme. Applicants must own, hold, and maintain the livestock necessary to meet the minimum stocking level. Livestock that are eligible for this scheme includes cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys and deer.
| Land Category | Area | Rate |
| Category 1 | 1st 12 ha | €148.00 |
| Category 1 | 13-34ha | €112.00 |
| Category 2 | 1st 10 ha | €111.00 |
| Category 2 | 11-30 ha | €104.00 |
| Category 3 | 1st 8 ha | €93.00 |
| Category 3 | 9-30 ha | €88.25 |
The minimum stocking rate will be calculated on the total Maximum Eligible Area for each farmer and not on the area eligible for payment. This could lead to a higher stocking requirement for some applicants whose Maximum Eligible Area exceeds the total area eligible for payment. Therefore, it is important for farmers to review their stocking rates based on livestock units per hectare which is highlighted in the table below.
| Species | Age | Livestock unit per hectare (LU/HA) |
| Bovine | Under 1 year | 0.4 |
| 1 but less than 2 years old | 0.7 | |
| Male 2 years and over | 1 | |
| Heifer 2 years and over | 0.8 | |
| Dairy cow | 1 | |
| Other cows, 2 years and over | 0.8 | |
| Equine animals | – | 0.8 |
| Sheep/Goats | – | 0.1 |
| Deer | – | 0.3 |
It is also important to note the following
- Donkeys can contribute a maximum of 50% toward the stocking density requirement. Applicants must include other eligible livestock to meet the remaining 50%. Those using horses or donkeys to fulfil their stocking density must submit certified copies of the relevant equine passports to the ANC section in Portlaoise. These should be submitted only after completing the minimum 28 consecutive weeks retention period and once the required annual stocking level has been achieved.
- Applicants who have breeding mares registered on the holding in 2025, must have bred a foal in either 2024 or 2025. Both the mare and foal must be registered in a stud book approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
- Applicants with sheep and/or goats must have submitted a valid Sheep/Goat Census within the specified timelines.
- In the case of new entrants, applicants are required to meet the minimum required stocking density within 10 working days of receiving their herd number.
- Where a holding has been restricted due to the presence of an animal disease (e.g. TB) applicants are required to meet the minimum required stocking density within 20 working days of derestriction.
- Tillage lands, which are payable in designated areas under the scheme, are not subject to or considered in the calculation of stocking requirements.
For applicants opting for the 28-week retention period, their stocking rate can be checked on their individual account on agfood.agriculture.gov.ie or by their advisor under the Farm Details – Stocking Density tab.
For any queries regarding stocking requirements for the ANC scheme contact your local Teagasc office or advisor.