Sheep Improvement Scheme

About this scheme

The Sheep Improvement Scheme was introduced to enhance animal health and welfare in the sheep sector by requiring farmers to go beyond mandatory standards. It pays €12 per breeding ewe for a scheme year running 1 January to 31 December, with reductions applied where not all chosen actions are completed. To qualify, a farmer must have an active herd number (or be a new entrant) and keep breeding ewes, submit a BISS application each participation year, submit an annual sheep census with breeding ewes declared (including the 2025 census on time), and maintain the required ewe numbers. Two welfare measures must be completed each year, chosen from a Lowland Flock or Hill Flock table (e.g. lameness control, mineral supplementation, parasite control, genotyped ram, scanning/recording, or flystrike control). New entrants in Year 4 with 150 or fewer breeding ewes need only complete the Genotyped Ram action once (2026 or 2027); those with more must complete it in both years. Applications for Year 4 (new entrants only) are made online via agfood.ie between 26 March and 29 April 2026.

Who can apply

• Must submit a Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application for each year of scheme participation
• Must submit a sheep census return with breeding ewes declared for each year of the scheme, including a 2025 Sheep Census submitted on time
• Must have an active herd number (or be a new entrant) and keep breeding ewes
• Must maintain the required number of breeding ewes throughout the scheme
• Must complete 2 welfare measures (selected from the relevant Lowland or Hill flock action tables) to qualify for payment
• New entrants in Year 4 with a reference number of 150 breeding ewes or fewer need only complete the Genotyped Ram action once, in either the 2026 or 2027 scheme year; those with more than 150 breeding ewes must complete it in both 2026 and 2027

How to apply

1. 1Check eligibility: the scheme is currently open for Year 4 applications from eligible New Entrants only, from Thursday 26 March 2026 to 23:59 on Wednesday 29 April 2026.
2. 2Apply online via agfood.ie by midnight on Wednesday 29 April 2026.
3. 3Alternatively, authorise a Farm Advisory System (FAS) approved advisor to apply on your behalf.
4. 4At application, select 2 welfare actions to complete from the applicable Lowland Flock or Hill Flock action table (one Category A action and one Category B action, or as otherwise specified), including any required Genotyped Ram year selections.
5. 5Complete the chosen actions and maintain the required records in line with the Terms and Conditions; contact the Agfood Online Services Helpdesk if your login or password has expired.