The new suckler scheme, the 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS), opened for applications earlier this week.

This year’s scheme is very similar in structure to last year’s edition.

Up to €75/eligible calf is available for up to a maximum of 45 eligible calves, bringing the maximum total amount available under the scheme to €3,375/suckler herd.

In order to secure the maximum total payment, a suckler farmer must have 45 eligible calves and complete three scheme actions.

The three scheme options and subsequent payment rates are as follows:

Action 1 – Meal feeding (mandatory): Up to €35/eligible calf;
Action 2 – Vaccination (optional): Up to €15/eligible calf;
Action 3 – Either faecal testing or forage testing (optional): Up to €25 per eligible calf.

For the meal feeding action, scheme participants must introduce meal feeding for a period of four weeks pre-weaning and two weeks post-weaning.

The aim of this action is to reduce the stress on calves at weaning time.

For the vaccination action, participants must implement a vaccination programme against:

Clostridial diseases; and/or
Calf pneumonia; and/or
Bluetongue.

Details of the vaccination programme being implemented and administered must also be recorded.

The closing date for applications is 5:00p.m on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

SCEP reminder for suckler scheme

Farmers participating in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) are being reminded that they must meet their SCEP genotyping requirements for 2026 before the November 30 deadline.

Herds are required to genotype 70% of their reference number, with samples received in the laboratory by the deadline.

As well as the genotype requirements, SCEP participants are required to weigh at least 80% of eligible cow-calf pairs on their holding each year.

The cow and her calf must be weighed on the same day on the scheme participant's holding.

Calves should be a minimum of 50 days-of-age and not weaned at the time of weighing.

Weight data should be submitted within seven days of recording and no later than November 1.