Northern Ireland's pilot Protein Crop Scheme will run until the end of the 2027 scheme year, Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir announced on 22 September.

The extension allows a project assessing the environmental and economic benefits of protein crops for farmers and for Northern Ireland as a whole to finish; that project is due to conclude in May 2027. "The extended pilot scheme will therefore now run to the end of the 2027 scheme year to allow a full assessment of the environmental and sustainability benefits which protein crops can deliver," Muir said.

Farmers receive £330 per hectare on top of their Basic Payment or Farm Sustainability Payment, for up to 1,300 hectares a year in total. Eligible crops are peas, beans and lupins.

The scheme began in 2021 for an initial two years, when the then minister Gordon Lyons said the crops would create a domestic source of protein for animal feed and bring agronomic benefits to arable rotations; it was extended in 2023 to the end of 2026. The area grown rose to 802 hectares in 2024 but fell to 422 hectares in 2026, with spring field beans the main crop, followed by spring peas. In 2020, 150 hectares were grown on 32 farms; in 2025, 481 hectares on 96 farms.

Farmers who want to join next year must apply through the 2027 Single Application.

The scheme's aim, as set out at its launch, is a home-grown protein source for livestock feed with a break crop that benefits arable rotations; the extra year gives the assessment a full season of data before any permanent decision.

The report was written by Joe Griffin.

Photo: Acabashi / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Source: Agriland