The announcement of the Dairy Beef Calf measure last month has provided farmers rearing dairy-beef calves this year, the opportunity to obtain some additional funding towards weighing their animals.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has described the purpose of the scheme to increase the economic and environmental efficiency of beef from the dairy herd, and to facilitate integration of the dairy and beef sectors.
DAFM has also revealed that over 1,900 applicants have already signed up to the new scheme.
What calves qualify for the payment?
Farmers must have an active herd number, while also having submitted a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application in 2021.
The calves that fall under the list of requirements for the scheme are as follows:
- A male calf of a dairy breed;
- A male or female calf of a beef breed sire born to a dairy breed dam in the herd.
The calves which are eligible must be:
- In the herd for at least 10 days before weighing;
- Born on or after January 1, 2021.
What actions are involved?
As part of the scheme, the requirements state that each applicant must weigh a minimum of five eligible calves and submit the weights to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).
All weights should be submitted within seven days of weighing and before November 1, 2021. At the time of weighing, calves must be at least 12-weeks-old.
In terms of payments, farmers will be paid €20 per eligible calf weighed. There must be at least five eligible calves weighed and no more than 20 calves.
This means the maximum payment for the scheme is €400.
Deadline for applications
The deadline for applications is April 26 (the same deadline date as applications for the BEEP-S scheme).
Farmers can submit their applications through www.agfood.ie.