The Department of Agriculture have recently released the requirements of the new Beef Data and Genomics Programme.
Register all new born calves within 27 days of birth, provide sire number and complete survey relating to calving ease.
Complete a range of surveys relating to the calves, cows and bulls in the applicant’s herd.
Genotype all of the animals specified by the ICBF. Each year, the number to be genotyped will be equivalent to 60% of the number of reference animals on an applicant’s holding in 2014.
Stock bull – Under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme at least one stock bull on the holding on June 30 2019 must be a bull that has been genotyped 4 or 5 star on either the Terminal or Replacement index and this, or a similar 4 or 5 star bull, must be retained on the holding until 30 June 2020.
Applicants are strongly advised to introduce 4 or 5 star bulls at the next replacement date to avoid compliance difficulties.
AI –When using AI, at least 80% of the AI used must be from 4 or 5 star bulls on the Terminal or Replacement index. This applies from 30th June 2016.
Leased bulls – Where it is the practice of the applicant to lease a bull, he/she must notify the Department by 30 June 2016 of his/her intention to do so during the course of the scheme. Specific conditions apply – see T&C’s.
Female beef replacements – Applicants will be required to ensure that a percentage of his/her heifers/eligible Suckler cows are genotyped females that are:
(i) 4 or 5 stars on the replacement index (see T&C’s for specific conditions).
(ii) at least 16 months old and (iii) born in 2013 or later.
The number of beef heifers/eligible suckler cows meeting these requirements on each holding on 31st October 2018 must be equivalent to 20% of the number of the applicant’s reference animals (established based on 2014 stocking levels) and on 31st October 2020 must be equivalent to 50% of the applicant’s reference animals.
Applicants must complete a carbon navigator with an approved advisor before 31 October 2016 and provide data for it to be annually updated. This is a tool which estimates the potential green house gas reductions and financial savings that could be made on each farm.
Applicants must attend a training course relating to this scheme before 31 October 2016.
Payment
Payment under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme will be made at the rate of €142.50 for each of the first 6.66 hectares of eligible forage area and €120 on the remaining eligible forage area.
The eligible hectares on which an applicant is entitled to claim will be equal to the number of calved cows on his/her holding in 2014 (known as reference animals) divided by a standard stocking rate of 1.5.
This is subject to a limit which is set by the eligible forage land declared by the applicant on his/her 2014 SPS application.