Maximise all Beef & Suckler Scheme Payments this Year
In a year where costs remain high and it looks like we are heading into a long winter with the current weather conditions, it is more important than ever to maximise all these beef scheme payments for 2023.
There were a number of new Beef Schemes introduced in 2023, namely the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS) and the National Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme. In a year where costs remain high and it looks like we are heading into a long winter with the current weather conditions, it is more important than ever to maximise all these beef scheme payments for 2023. I will outline some of the key actions and dates which farmers need to aware of over the next few weeks in order to meet all requirements for these schemes.
Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) One of the eligibility conditions of SCEP participation is you must be a certified member of the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS) by 16 October 2023. If you have not contacted Bord Bia (01 5240410) and submitted an application to join SBLAS by 16 October 2023, you will be removed from SCEP and will receive no payment under the programme. If, however, you do contact Bord Bia by 16 October 2023 and submit an application, you will have an extended period up to the 22 January 2024 to get certified under SBLAS.
Action 1 – Eligible Bull/Eligible AI In Year 1, 80% of calves born must have been sired from a 4 or 5 star ball (either Stockbull or AI) i.e. a genotyped 4 or 5 star bull on either the Terminal or Replacement index (on a within or across breed basis).
Action 2 - Female Replacement Strategy Farmers must have 50% of their yearly reference number of eligible heifers or suckler cows genotyped 4 or 5 star on the Replacement index by 31st Oct 2023. Females must be over 16 months on 31st Oct. If you sold 4 or 5 star cows or heifers this year you may now be short. So check your SCEP Eligibility Profile on the ICBF website and see are you on track to meet this requirement by 31st Oct.
Action 3 – Genotyping Ensure all Genomic samples sent out during the summer are returned by 30th November 2023.
Action 4 - Weighing and Submission of Weights to ICBF Weighing for SCEP must be carried out before 1st November. Weigh both the Cow and Calf separately on the same day before weaning and submit weights to ICBF within 7 days. The calf must be a minimum of 50 days old before it is eligible to be weighed. If you are submitting weights by post, the forms must be received by ICBF by 5:30pm on 01 November 2023.
Action 5 – Calving Details and Surveys Similar to BDGP in the past farmers are required to complete survey forms supplied by the ICBF in respect of all eligible calves born on the holding and their dams. In order to ensure the validity of all this data, all calves born in the herd must be maintained on the holding for at least 5 months. The Closing date for submission of these Survey forms is 15th Feb 2024.
Note: If a farmer fails three or more of the actions 1, 2, 3 or 4 in any one scheme year, they will be removed from the programme and any payments already made will be recouped.
National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS) This scheme which farmers recently applied for has 2 mandatory actions.
Action 1 (IBR Testing): Farmers in this scheme should contact their Vet to organise to blood test animals over 9 months in their herd for IBR antibodies. All blood samples need to be submitted by the Vet to an approved Lab by 1st Nov 2023.
Action 2 (Meal Feeding): Meal feed weanlings 4 weeks before weaning and 2 weeks after weaning to reduce stress at weaning time. The recommended quantity of meal to feed is 1kgs per animal per day. It’s important to retain all receipts of meal fed for inspection checks later.
National Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme This scheme pays €20/head to weigh dairy beef calves up-to a maximum of 50 calves. Eligible calves must be born between 1st July 2022 and 30th June 2023 and their dam must be a dairy cow. If the sire of the calf is a dairy bull then only male calves qualify. If the sire is a beef breed, male and female calves qualify. Calves must be at least 12 weeks old at weighing. Submit all weights to ICBF by 1st Nov 2023.
If you require further information on any of the requirements for these schemes contact your nearest Teagasc Office.
