Irish Hereford Prime has this week circulated details of its new bonus payment scheme to its 4,700 members.

The minimum qualifying carcase weight for the standard 10c/kg bonus payment has increased from 220kg to 240kg (upper limit remains at 380kg), while both steers and heifers must now grade O= or better on conformation.

This means that O- grading heifers are no longer eligible for the bonus.

R- and R= grading animals are eligible for a 2c/kg higher bonus of 12c/kg, while R+ animals will be paid a bonus of 14c/kg and U grades 16c/kg.

The fat score criteria also remains constant at 2+ to 4+. Animals must be registered HE or HEX, aged under 30 months and an approved member of the Bord Bia quality assurance scheme.

Cattle pre-booked in the off-season will no longer receive bonuses.

An Irish Hereford Prime pedigree heifer scheme offers a bonus of 40c/kg for heifer, while the Irish Hereford Society will also refund the €45 registration fee.