Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed confirmed on Wednesday that payments under the 2019 Beef Data and Genomics Programmes have commenced this week.

The Minister said: “Payments have commenced for the fifth year of this innovative programme which will bring about reductions in Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions while also introducing genetic technology into the national herd, thus improving farm profitability. Payments worth more than €17.5m have already issued and will continue over the coming days to participating farmers who have verified their compliance with the 2019 requirements.”

The total sum paid out to farmers in 2018 was recorded at €43.3m paid to 23,712 farmers meaning in the region of 40% of monies is being paid out this week under BDGP I and BDGP II. The minister said BDGP payments will continue to issue on an ongoing basis as more farmers verify their compliance with the 2019 scheme requirements.

The minister urged participating farmers “to return all surveys and genotyping samples and/or complete the carbon navigator update as soon as possible to facilitate payment”.

Survey completion

Participants in BDGP should have received hardcopy submission forms to complete outstanding information while information can be submitted quickly through the ICBF portal or other approved farm software packages.

Access can be gained to the ICBF portal by filling in your user name, which is your herd designator (IE number) and password in the relevant section at www.icbf.com.

If you cannot remember your password, there are three ways to get it. Text the word PASS to 089 457-7663 to receive your password. Your mobile number needs to be stored on in the database for this system to work.

Alternatively, email Support (query@icbf.com) or call ICBF on 1850-600-900 or 023-8820452 during office hours.

Participants who have lost hardcopy return sheets and want to complete them in this manner or have any query on the BDGP programme can call 1850-625 626 or email query@icbf.com.

For farmers who still have to complete their carbon navigator, the information required relates to the 2018 calendar year.

Payment will be issued once the required information on calves is submitted which can be completed once calves turn five months of age.

ANC balancing payments begin

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has confirmed balancing payments under the 2019 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme have begun.

He said this brings the total paid under the 2019 ANC scheme to date to almost €238m to 95,000 farmers.

This was the first year of new requirements set out in EU regulations which requires the ANC payment to be paid out in two instalments – an advance of 70% followed by the 30% balancing payment.

The Minister says regular pay runs will continue to be made as further cases are cleared for payment.

There are still a significant number of payment applications held up by merit of not yet meeting a minimum stocking rate of 0.15LU across the calendar year and a minimum stocking rate of at least 0.15LU/ha across a seven month consecutive retention period.