Farmers have been urged to apply for grants of up to €8,000 under the latest suckler support scheme from the Department of Agriculture.

The revamped Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Suckler (BEEP-S) has provisional funding of €35m. To date, 5,400 farmers have applied to the scheme which targets improvements in the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves.

Actions

Programme actions are as follows:

  • Mandatory weighing action: €50 per first 10 cow/calf weighing per herd (and €40 per cow/calf weighing thereafter). This action measures the ratio of calf weight at weaning to maternal weight, enabling farmers to r
  • eadily identify their most economic and environmentally efficient suckler cows in their herd.

  • Optional action: €30 for an additional welfare action, with a choice of either a vaccination programme or a pre-weaning meal feeding programme. This action will improve the health and welfare of suckler calves at weaning time.
  • Optional action: €10 for a further option – participation in a faecal egg testing programme. This action is targeted at the control of liver and rumen fluke in adult suckler cows, improving animal health and welfare.
  • Applications must be made online before 15 May 2020.

    Supports

    Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said: “It is more important now than ever before for suckler farmers to take full advantage of these new financial supports. This programme builds on the success of the 2019 BEEP pilot and is another support measure aimed at helping beef farmers.”