This year brings a new suite of schemes run by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine due to the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). There are also some well documented changes to the direct payments schemes such as the Basic Income Support Scheme (BISS). However, there are opportunities for farmers to supplement their farm income from direct payments and apply to more schemes over the next couple of weeks as detailed below. Farmers should contact their agricultural agent and discuss the terms and conditions and how joining these schemes may benefit their farm businesses.