The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) is to host a series of information meetings for farmers on the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme (BCR).
The scheme, which was introduced on January 1, 2024, aims to improve the efficiency and environmental sustainability of Northern Ireland beef production.
It is a key element of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA’s) Farm Support and Development Programme.
The objective of the scheme is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the carbon footprint of beef production by encouraging the slaughter of cattle at an earlier age.
According to DAERA the beef scheme will contribute to meeting the targets set out in the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.
The payment rate for the scheme has been set at £75 per eligible animal slaughtered from April 1 2024 to December 31, 2027.
There will be phased payments at the start of the scheme of £20 per eligible animal for January 2024, £40 for February 2024 and £60 for March 2024.
CAFRE
The CAFRE Knowledge Advisory Service has organised a series of BCR scheme information meetings to make farmers aware of the details of the scheme, the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
The meetings will also highlight steps farmers can take to ensure the maximum number of finished cattle meet the age at slaughter targets and at the same time reduce cost, increase profit and reduce their carbon footprint.
The meetings, which will all begin at 7:30p.m., will be held on the following dates and in the venues listed below:
- Thursday, March 21: CAFRE Loughry Campus, Cookstown;
- Wednesday, March 27: CAFRE Greenmount Campus, Antrim;
- Thursday, March 28: Silver Birch Hotel, Omagh;
- Tuesday, April 9: CAFRE Enniskillen Campus, Enniskillen;
- Wednesday, April 10: Mourne Country Hotel, Newry;
- Thursday, April 11: The Lodge Hotel, Coleraine;
- Wednesday, April 17: Armagh City Hotel, Armagh;
- Thursday, April 18: Waterfoot Hotel, Derry;
- Tuesday, April 23: Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch.