# DAFM went digital — save yourself a wasted trip to the office on your next application *Published 2026-03-25 by FarmAI Ireland* ::: official-advice-banner This article discusses government schemes and applications. Always verify deadlines and requirements directly with DAFM or your [Teagasc](https://www.teagasc.ie) advisor before submitting applications. ::: If you've applied for BISS, ACRES, or any DAFM scheme in the last year, you've probably noticed: the Department is pushing hard to move everything online. The [agfood.ie](https://agfood.ie) portal is now the primary route for most applications, and paper forms are being phased out or discouraged for several schemes. This is either good news or a headache, depending on your broadband and your patience with government websites. Here's the practical reality. --- ## What's moved online As of early 2026, the following are primarily or exclusively handled through agfood.ie: - **BISS applications and transfers** — including entitlement transfers and lease notifications - **ACRES annual submissions** — compliance records and evidence uploads - **TAMS III applications** — the full application and claims process - **Organic Farming Scheme** applications - **Herd register updates** — animal movements and birth registrations (alongside [ICBF](https://www.icbf.com)) - **Animal Health notifications** — TB test results, disease notifications The portal also now shows your **payment history, scheme status, and compliance records** in one place. That's genuinely useful. Previously you'd be ringing Portlaoise to find out where your payment was. --- ## What works well **Payment tracking is a real improvement.** You can see exactly where your BISS, ACRES, or TAMS payment sits in the processing pipeline. "Submitted," "Under review," "Approved for payment," "Payment issued" — each stage is visible. No more wondering if your application fell into a black hole. **Document uploads save posting time.** Need to send a vet cert, a planning permission letter, or an invoice for a TAMS claim? Upload it directly. No more posting originals and praying they arrive. **Deadline reminders are built in.** The portal now shows your upcoming deadlines for each scheme. This alone prevents the single most common mistake farmers make — missing a deadline and losing a year's payment. --- ## What still doesn't work well **The interface is not intuitive.** Let's be honest — agfood.ie was not designed by someone who's ever filled in a form in a hurry with muck on their hands. Navigation is confusing, labels are bureaucratic, and it's easy to end up on the wrong page. **Broadband is still a problem.** If you're on a weak connection in west Roscommon, uploading a 5MB PDF can time out. The portal doesn't always save your progress, so a dropped connection can mean starting again. **[MyGovID](https://www.mygovid.ie) authentication is finicky.** You need a MyGovID account (verified to Level 2) to access the portal. The verification process requires photo ID and can take days. If you haven't done this yet, do it now — not the day before a deadline. --- ## How AI helps with the portal AI won't fill in your agfood.ie forms for you — the portal doesn't allow third-party integrations. But AI tools can help with the preparation that makes the actual form-filling quick. **Before you sit down at the portal, use ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to:** 1. **Summarise what the application needs.** Paste the scheme terms and conditions (from gov.ie) and ask: "What documents and information do I need to have ready before I start this application? Give me a checklist." 2. **Draft text sections.** Some applications need written descriptions — farm descriptions, project justifications for TAMS, environmental plans for ACRES. Draft these with AI first, then paste into the portal. 3. **Check your figures.** Before entering stocking rates, area declarations, or financial projections, ask AI to sanity-check your numbers: "I'm declaring 35 hectares with 50 suckler cows. Does my stocking rate calculation look right?" --- ## Setting up your portal access If you haven't used agfood.ie yet, here's the setup: 1. **Create a MyGovID account** at [mygovid.ie](https://www.mygovid.ie/). You need a smartphone, photo ID (passport or driving licence), and a PSC number. 2. **Verify to Level 2.** This involves a facial recognition step through the app. It usually takes 1–3 business days. 3. **Link your herd number.** Once logged into agfood.ie, you'll need to link your farm herd number. If you have trouble, ring the DAFM helpdesk at 01 607 2000. 4. **Bookmark it.** Seriously. The URL is easy to forget and hard to find through Google. --- ## What it costs The portal itself is free. You need internet access — if your broadband is unreliable, your local library or Teagasc office usually has public internet you can use. The real cost is the time to learn a new system. Budget an hour for your first session. After that, it gets faster. --- ## Where to get help - **DAFM helpdesk**: 01 607 2000 — they have a dedicated digital services team now - **Teagasc advisors** can walk you through the portal during an office visit - **IFA offices** in many counties run portal walkthrough sessions — ring your local branch - **agfood.ie** has a help section with step-by-step guides, though they assume a level of computer confidence that not everyone has --- ## Sources - [DAFM — Department of Agriculture](https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/) — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine official website - [Agfood.ie Portal](https://agfood.ie/) — DAFM's online application and services portal for farmers - [Teagasc — Schemes and Supports](https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/schemes/) — Teagasc guidance on farm scheme applications --- *Source: [FarmAI Ireland](https://farmai.ie/read/dafm-online-portal-digital-applications)*