Progress has been slower than anticipated for applications to the BEEP-S scheme launched in March 2020.

Just 11,487 applications had been submitted by Tuesday, 28 April, meaning that just 20% of the country’s 55,000 suckler farmers have applied.

With just two weeks left before the closing date, time is running out for suckler farmers to apply. Farmers need to apply online on agfood.ie or get an approved agent to apply on their behalf.

As part of the scheme, suckler farmers will be paid €90/calf for the first 10 calves and €80/calf thereafter, depending on actions chosen.

Some 9,856 farmers have selected the meal feeding option and 1,405 farmers have selected the vaccination of weanlings option. A further 8,786 farmers have selected the faecal sampling option.

IFA livestock chair Brendan Golden said suckler farmers need to apply for the scheme without delay. “It’s a €2,000 payment on a lot of farms and will be needed in a year where margins are very tight,” he said.