Livestock Solutions

2025-2026 TAEP Application A

50% Cost Share – Maximum Reimbursement - $6,000

The amount of payment is based upon 50% of expenses incurred for eligible program items up to the program maximum.

Applicant Responsibility

It is the applicant’s responsibility to review all TAEP program requirements prior to applying for cost share. Applicant must qualify for program selected at time of application to be considered for approval.

Applicant Eligibility
Educational Requirements
Reimbursement Requirements
Verification Requirements
Applying for TAEP

Minimum Requirements

Cattle – 30 head or Equids – 20 head or Goats/Sheep – 50 head

Head of Livestock = maximum number of single type, regardless of sex or age, at any one time during the last 12 months.
Equids (horses, donkeys, and/or mules) must be part of a commercial equine business (breeding, training, and/or boarding) to qualify.
Goats/sheep can be combined to meet minimum head requirement.
Verification of minimum requirements may be requested prior to approval.

Eligible Items & Requirements – Print Version

Eligible Items & Requirements

NEW EQUIPMENT ONLY — Items 1-12

New items cannot be previously owned.
Items purchased at an auction are considered used and are not eligible.
Replacement parts are not eligible.

1. Bunker/silage pit or pad — must have concrete floor
2. Commodity shed — new structures and additions to existing structures; see “Commodity Shed Example” below for minimum specifications
3. Equine exercise walker — stationary walker consisting of a central motor that drives a rotating system
4. Feed bin — minimum 9 tons with optional auger and concrete pad; smaller feed bin available in Livestock Equipment
5. Livestock trailer — min. 10 ft.; must be titled (not tagged) in the applicant’s name at time of reimbursement; fees vary from county to county; title will indicate trailer is new regardless of model year; manufacturer’s certificate of origin is not considered a title.
6. Mobile working system — must be a mobile self-contained trailer unit; must include head gate, alley, and crowding/holding area
7. Self-unloading feed wagon — single or dual compartment “v” floor wagon with a vertical discharge auger
8. Multiple animal scale — for weighing multiple animals at one time; load bars/platform, indicator, and optional concrete pad; not eligible – single animal scale
9. Rotary cutter/pasture clipper — min. 8 ft; not eligible – finishing mower, hay mower, mulching head.
10. Silage bagger — machinery used for the bagging or debagging of silage
11. Spreaders — pull behind nutrient application equipment for spreading fertilizer, lime, litter, or manure; not eligible – 3pt hitch spreaders
12. Unloading forage feeder wagon — silage/haylage wagon with a chain floor or pusher blade and side discharge

NEW OR USED EQUIPMENT — ITEMS 13-16

13. Bale processor/windrow bale feeder
14. Hay wrapper — machinery used for the wrapping of hay for use as haylage; in-line only; not eligible – single bale wrapper
15. Mixer wagon or grinder/mixer
16. No-till pasture drill — minimum 8 ft. working width; drill must have serial number

USED EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Used equipment must meet ALL the following criteria:
• Excellent working condition
• Minimal rust
• Less than 10 years old, check serial # and previous purchase documentation. Items without a serial number will not be eligible for cost share.
• Reasonable market price
Tennessee Department of Agriculture may verify used equipment prior to payment.

Reimbursement Request Deadline – August 1, 2026

Allowable purchase dates for Livestock Solutions are from October 1, 2025 – August 1, 2026.
All items, regardless of backorder status, must be purchased (paid in full or financed) by the program reimbursement deadline. Backordered items may be ineligible for cost share if not delivered to the farm by the program deadline.
Receipts must be in the name of the applicant approved for cost share funding.
Quotes and purchase orders do not represent a purchase and are not considered receipts.
Proof of payment may be requested to verify purchase.
See “Reimbursement Requirements” link at the top of the page for more information.