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January

Spring calving beginsBISS applications openIndoor feeding & housing

February

Lambing season startsSpring planting beginsPeak calving season

March

Turnout to grassFertiliser spreadingBISS deadline approaching

April

BISS deadlineFirst grazing rotationBreeding season starts

May

First cut silageAI breeding peakCrop spraying

June

Second cut silageNitrates records dueDosing cattle

July

TB testing roundsWeaning calvesReseeding paddocks

August

Harvest beginsScanning ewesAutumn grass planning

September

Ploughing ChampionshipsWinter crop sowingAutumn calving starts

October

Housing cattleSoil samplingScheme reviews

November

Winter feeding plansLand managementTax year planning

December

Pre-calving nutritionYear-end recordsSoil testing

FREE TOOL

ACRES Payment Estimator

Pick the actions on your farm, enter your areas, and see what the DAFM rate card says they pay per year. Takes about 60 seconds. No login.

Built on the DAFM published payment rates. New to the scheme? Start with our ACRES hub or the plain-English guide to what you're entitled to.

This is an estimate, not advice. ACRES payments depend on your approved plan, field scores, and DAFM terms for your tranche. Always confirm figures with your ACRES advisor or DAFM before making decisions.

Which ACRES track are you in?

Not sure? Most farmers are in General. Co-operation covers designated priority areas — your advisor will have told you.

Low-input grassland (results-based)

Your ACRES advisor scores each field from 0–10 on flowers, grasses and damage indicators. Fields under 4 don't pay.

Grassland & water protection

ha
ha
ha
m
m

Hedgerows & walls

m
m
m
m

Trees

tree
tree

Biodiversity

box
ha
livestock unit

Nutrients

Tillage

ha
ha
ha

Estimated annual ACRES payment

€0

An estimate from the DAFM published rate card — not an offer, a forecast, or advice. Your plan and field scores decide the real figure.

Common questions

How accurate is this ACRES estimate?

The rates come straight from the DAFM published ACRES rate card, but your real payment depends on your approved plan, your field scores, and DAFM checks. Treat the result as a starting point for a conversation with your ACRES advisor, not a promise.

How much does ACRES pay per hectare?

It depends on the action. Results-based low-input grassland pays €250–€400/ha depending on your field score. Winter bird food plots pay €1,000/ha, riparian buffer zones up to €1,530/ha, and extensively grazed pasture €200/ha on up to 8 hectares.

What is the maximum ACRES payment?

ACRES General is capped at €7,311 per year. ACRES Co-operation, for farms in designated priority areas, is capped at €10,500 per year including non-productive investments and landscape actions.

Rates from the DAFM published ACRES rate card. Payments are per year for the duration of your contract. All outputs are estimates — your actual payment depends on your approved plan, field scores, and DAFM checks. Confirm with your ACRES advisor.