The proposed new bonus payment mechanism agreed at last weekend’s beef talks would see 582,000 steers and heifers secure the 20c/kg in-spec bonus.

It would result in 127,000 additional cattle becoming eligible for the 12c/kg bonus for animals grading O- for conformation and 4+ on fat score.

A further 111,000 extra steers and heifers would stand to receive a new 8c/kg bonus payment for cattle aged between 30 and 36 months of age.

The number of animals aged between 30 and 36 months and receiving the bonus is based on animals meeting the criteria set out as part of the Quality Payment Scheme (QPS) – that is, animals being quality-assured, being resident on the final farm for 70 days (this reduces to 60 days under the new proposals) and having a maximum of four farm residencies.

The data, analysed by Bord Bia and presented at the talks, is based on the 2018 Department of Agriculture Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) information.

In 2018, the total number of steers and heifers processed was 1.16m head, meaning 50% of animals received the existing in-spec bonus.

Under the new proposal, the number of animals receiving a bonus payment would rise from 582,000 to approximately 820,000 head or 70% of all steers and heifers processed in 2018.

Based on 2018 data, the meeting was told that the proposed increase in the QPS in-spec bonus to 20c/kg combined with the new 12c/kg bonus on cattle grading O- and / or with a fat score of 4+ and 8c/kg for bonus for those aged between 30 and 36 months would be worth between €23m and €24m to beef finishers, again based on the 2018 kill.