One of the compulsory measures for those of you participating in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is to attend a four-hour training course before October 31 next.

Courses will be rolled out across the country commencing on Monday, March 21 and all BDGP participants will be invited to attend in the coming months.

If you complete the training after the deadline, but within six months of the deadline date, the penalty will amount to 20% of your annual payment for both years one and two.

According to Teagasc, if your annual payment is €2,000, then you stand to lose €800. If the training is not completed within six months of the deadline, the participant is removed from the programme.

The good news, however is that those of you that attend will receive €166 for doing so.

Each participant will be invited by letter to attend a training course in a designated centre in their county and will have four days to respond by phone as to whether they will attend or not.

The fact that all courses are by invitation and will be pre booked means that you cannot just walk in on the day.

According to Teagasc where possible, farmers should try and attend the first BDGP course that you are offered as there is no guarantee that any subsequent courses offered will be as close to you and they may involve more travelling.

The object of the training is to:

outline how you can comply with the requirements of the BDGP;
explain how €urostar ratings are derived and how you can use them for your herd;
outline the benefits that genomics will bring to beef breeding; and,
help you assess your own herd’s ratings and what options you should consider when breeding and sourcing replacements.

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) forms a part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. It involves funding of €300 million over the six year programme and builds on the success of previous schemes including the €23 million Beef Genomics Scheme (BGS).