17,595 applications for Beef Finishers Payment...but for how many animals?

To date there have been 17,595 applications submitted for the Beef Finishers Payment, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

This is the latest figure of applications, a spokesperson for the department confirmed to AgriLand today (Wednesday, September 2).

The deadline for applications to be submitted under the scheme is next Wednesday (September 9).

The department spokesperson added that these applications involve 345,505 animals with a total payment value of €34,550,500 for the €50 million scheme.

The average herd size among applicants is 20, it was noted.

The Beef Finishers Payment scheme was unveiled by former Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Dara Calleary on August 5. It opened for applications on Wednesday (August 19) for a four-week window.

An estimated 42,000 farmers are eligible to apply for the scheme, according to the department.

This projection is based on the number of cattle sent for slaughter in the period from Saturday, February 1, to Friday, June 12, 2020 – subject to a limit of 100 animals per herd.

Based on estimates of eligible animals, a rate in the region of €100 per animal will be payable.

In the event of an over-subscription, the rate of payment per animal will be subject to a linear cut (to remain within the available overall budget of €50 million).