A total of 1,299 calves that were confirmed as persistently infected (PI) for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) were removed under the recent calf disposal scheme funded by the EU Exceptional Adjustment Aid package.

Based on information supplied by DAERA, 786 farmers submitted claims for financial assistance during the lifetime of the scheme, which ran from 1 February to 30 September of this year. Of the total calves claimed, 46.5% were male and 53.5% were female, with 83.7% (792) from a beef sire and qualifying for the higher rate of payment at £160/calf.

The remaining 16.3% of PI calves claimed on are dairy-bred, but a breakdown of male versus female calves was not available.

Dairy-bred bull calves qualified for a payment of £50, while dairy-bred heifer calves were eligible for a payment of £130. Claims were processed by the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).

Under the scheme, a total of £143,300 has been paid out to date, by the LMC, £119,470 of which has been covered under the EU Exceptional Adjustment Aid package. All claims processed after 20 September were covered by DAERA. A small number of claims are still to be finalised for payment.

Retention

The offer of a compensation scheme for PI calves has had a positive effect, with the body leading on BVD eradication in NI, Animal Health and Welfare NI (AWHNI), indicating that the rate of PI calf disposal is currently faster, and at a much earlier stage, compared to last year.

The retention rate of PI calves on farm has fallen from approximately 50% at the start of the year to little over 20% now.

For the year to the end of September, 435,374 calves have been tested for BVD with 98.85% of calves having a clear result.

Only 0.68% of calves were confirmed as being PI.