Some 509 herds could miss the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) deadline by the end of the month, according to the figures from the Department of Agriculture.

Under the terms of the scheme, 20% of the females in a herd must be four or five stars by 31 October or farmers risk losing up to 40% of their BDGP payment.

The Department issued letters to farmers on 16 October reminding them of the scheme requirements and advising them to purchase eligible female stock if necessary.

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed stated earlier this month that approximately 600 herds were not on track to meet requirements, but that this was “expected to reduce” when an extra ICBF evaluation was run this month.

One in five herds has withdrawn from BDGP I since its inception in 2015, with 23,104 farmers remaining, while 1,511 farmers remain in BDGP II after 164 withdrew.

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