Rented weighing scales will be rolled out to farmers this week for the Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot (BEEP) scheme.

The scales are currently being distributed to almost 70 locations across the country.

It is understood there will be 18 scales in Leinster, 23 in Munster, 20 in Connacht and nine in Ulster. Minister Creed has previously said that the scales will be available at a cost of €50/day. Some 18,500 suckler farmers with over 460,000 calves have applied to the scheme. Farmers can use private scales to weigh their animals, but these must be registered with ICBF. By the end of March, some 730 private scales had been registered.

ICBF has so far received weights for over 14,000 animals from 500 herd owners.