The Department of Agriculture has set a target of 35,000 applicants covering approximately 600,000 calved suckler beef cows under the new Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP).

Speaking at the scheme launch, held on the farm of Billy Nicholson, Crosshaven, Co Cork on Tuesday, Minister Simon Coveney said he wanted the scheme to support suckler farmers, position Ireland as a world leader on breeding and safeguard Ireland’s position of producers of environmentally-friendly produced beef.

“The scheme is a significant investment worth €52m per year. I think as well as the financial contribution to farmers, it is a statement from the Government that we want to prioritise suckler beef. We want to encourage people to stay in beef and one way of doing this is to ensure access to the most advanced breeding information. The scheme will reach a high percentage of farms. With an average herd size of 17 cows, 300,000 cows will be paid at close to €100/head with €80 for the remainder.”

The Minister added the programme is a big part of Ireland’s strategy to mitigate climate change.

“It is not just a token. We are serious about it. We can already show that our beef is among the top 20% in the world (environmentally friendly produced) and we want to move this to the top 10%.”

Commenting on the origin of the genomics programme, he said: “ICBF developed the genomics model for the dairy herd. They approached us and said what can be done in the dairy herd, we can do in beef. I wanted to find a way to financially support the herd and by combining improved breeding with a support package is a win-win for everyone.”

The programme has received a mixed reaction from farmers, breed societies and farm organisations.

While all parties welcome financial support for the suckler sector farmers, they have raised concern that the bar has been set too high, with question marks arising on the feasibility of achieving breeding targets set for 2020.