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Who can apply?
Suckler farmers must have one or more beef breed animals born in the herd between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020.
What number of animals will be paid on?
Payment will only be made on the number of unweaned calves born on the holding between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020 and where the weights of both the live calf and their live dams have been recorded and submitted to the ICBF to a maximum of 100 calves.
What is the payment rate?
Payment will be €50 for the first 10 cow/calf weighings per herd and €40 per cow/calf weighing thereafter. Meal feeding paid at the rate of €30 per calf weighed or vaccination paid at the rate of €30 per calf. Faecal egg testing paid at €10 per cow.
How do I apply?
Application may only be made through the online facility, which will be available on www.agfood.ie.
Will there be selection criteria applied if it is oversubscribed?
In the event of over-subscription, there will be a linear reduction to each payment.
Do you have to be in the BDGP to apply?
No, farmers who are not in BDGP can apply.
Do you have to be in BEEP 2019 to apply?
No.
Does the sire (bull) have to be a purebred/pedigree bull?
No.
What is the duration of the BEEP suckler scheme?
It is a one-year programme for 2020.
Is the reference number of animals for BDGP linked to BEEP suckler scheme?
There is no connection between the reference number of animals for BDGP and BEEP suckler scheme.
Will I be paid extra for twins?
Yes, provided weights are recorded for cow and both calves and actions are taken for both.
When will payment issue?
Payments will commence in Q4 2020 and applicants will be paid provided all weighings have been submitted and information on additional actions have been recorded and, where necessary, verified.
Where can I weigh my animals?
The animals must be weighed on your holding. Animals must be weighed individually and on the same day.
What are the options available to get scales?
There are two options available to herd owners for the recording of weight data as part of BEEP suckler scheme. These are: (i) a rental model, whereby participants rent scales from an approved field service agent to undertake the BEEP weight recording process; or (ii) owned, borrowed or using a third-party service provider's scale. This is where a farmer can use their own scales or one belonging to a third party. These scales will have to be pre-registered with the ICBF.
Where can I get details of the rental model locations?
Information is available on www.icbf.com.
What is the correct procedure for weighing cows and calves?
This is set out in the Ts&Cs, which must be followed. The ICBF will advise farmers on the most suitable time frame, based on calving pattern of each herd.
Where can I enter the weights?
The preferred method will be electronic options, including smartphone apps, the ICBF webpage and farm software. An official paper form is also available from the ICBF.
If weighing scales was previously registered does it have to be registered again?
No, scales previously registered for BEEP 2019 do not need to be re-registered.
How long do I have to use meal feeding for?
You must introduce meal feeding for a period of four weeks pre-weaning and two weeks post-weaning.
What vaccination should I use?
Veterinary advice should be sought for a suitable vaccination programme.
How do I fulfil the faecal sampling task?
You need to take a minimum of 10 fresh samples from suckler cows in your herd. You need to get the samples analysed for rumen fluke and liver fluke in a Department of Agriculture-approved lab.
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