I thought when I received my BEAM update that I had made a real mistake in calculating my stocking rate. I had assumed the Department’s computer couldn’t err. I was trying to figure out where I had gone so badly wrong when the emergency statement came out from the Department a day later saying that there had been a major glitch. It’s comforting to know that other people can also make a computer mistake, so I look forward to receiving the correction.

Like practically all farmers who finish beef cattle, I participate in Bord Bia’s quality assurance scheme.

Within the last week, I received the news that my inspection, held every 18 months, was due, but this time because of the COVID-19 constraints, it would be carried out virtually

While I may convince myself that it is out of conviction, that it’s the right thing to do, the bald fact is that the payment on eligible cattle from my meat factory of 20c/kg means that the overwhelming financial incentive is to do whatever is necessary to maintain my membership of the scheme. Within the last week, I received the news that my inspection, held every 18 months, was due, but this time because of the COVID-19 constraints, it would be carried out virtually.

This involves taking a large number of photographs of documents and facilities, such as entries of cattle in the blue book, as well as casualty receipts, pages from the farm safety statement and photographs of the cattle crush and sculling gate.

Normally, one inspection visit would have sufficed

The list is exhaustive, but most of the work can, as far as I can see, be done with a good smart phone and when complete, should be downloaded to a specified Bord Bia site. If I was doing it myself, I know I would need at least some guidance, but I am ashamed to admit I have outsourced the task to one of my adult children. We have a few weeks to complete the job before sending everything off. Normally, one inspection visit would have sufficed.

On the crop side, we are now simply keeping up to date with our fungicide regime

Meanwhile, our interaction with officialdom continues. I received a detailed note from my District Veterinary Office as to how the reactor in my recent test was to be disposed of. Compliance is important, not just in the national interest, but also to ensure that the normal buying and selling of livestock can continue. On the crop side, we are now simply keeping up to date with our fungicide regime and watching as the grain markets strengthen. I am, for the moment, resisting the temptation to sell forward.