“With a budget of up to €52m per annum, the programme will assist around 35,000 beef farmer and is a major shot in the arm for the suckler sector,” Coveney said. “While the expansion of the dairy herd will have an impact on beef output, our premium beef offering will continue to rely on a high quality suckler herd. This programme harnesses technology in a way that meets a number of the key challenges facing suckler farmers, and positions Ireland as a global leader in the application of genomics in the beef sector.”

The minister described the seven steps involved in obtaining the payment of €95 per suckler cow for the first ten cows and €80 thereafter. According to the department, the payment will then be recalculated on a per-hectare basis, with qualifying farmers receiving €142.50 per hectare for the first 6.66 payable hectares and €120 per payable hectare after that.

Coveney highlighted the obligation for farmers to continue suckler production under the terms and conditions of the scheme, failing which payments will be clawed back. “It is vital that anybody applying for the scheme understands that it involves a six-year contract and that entry to the scheme in year one means committing to staying the course for the full six years. This is essential if the programme is to have a meaningful impact,” the minister said.

He added that genetic improvements to the beef herd and on-farm carbon assessments mandated by the scheme would position “Ireland as a world leader in climate friendly agriculture”.

Listen to the Irish Farmers' Journal beef experts discuss the new suckler scheme in our podcast