Who can apply?

Suckler farmers must have one or more beef-bred 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 will be paid at €30 per calf weighed or vaccination paid at the rate of €30 per calf. Faecal egg testing will be paid at €10 per cow.

How do I apply?

Applications 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 have to be a pure-bred/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 the BEEP suckler scheme?

There is no connection between the reference number of animals for BDGP and BEEP suckler scheme.

Q. Can I choose the meal feeding option and vaccination option and get paid more?

No, you must choose either the meal feeding option (€30/calf) or the vaccination option (€30/calf). You cannot choose both and get paid for both

When will payment be issued?

Payments will commence in the last quarter of 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 the BEEP suckler scheme. These are:

  • A rental model, whereby participants rent scales from an approved field service agent to undertake the BEEP weight recording process.
  • Owned, borrowed or using a third-party service provider’s scales. 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 terms and conditions, which must be followed. The ICBF will advise farmers on the most suitable time frame, based on the calving pattern of each herd.

    Where can I enter the weights?

    The preferred method is through smartphone apps, the ICBF webpage and farm software. An official paper form is also available from the ICBF.

    If a 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 meal feed 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 fulfill the faecal sampling requirements?

    You need to take a minimum of 10 fresh samples from suckler cows in your herd. You then need to get the samples analysed for rumen fluke and liver fluke in a Department of Agriculture-approved lab.