Farmers have been urged to submit genotyping samples, survey data and complete a carbon navigator in order to received a December payment under the Beef Data and Genomics programme.

The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, stated that in order to be eligible to receive payment in December all surveys in relation to animals born between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 must be completed and returned to ICBF by December 7.

All genotyping test kits must be submitted to the relevant laboratories by this date also.

In addition, the Minister said that all of the 2016 BDGP participants must complete a carbon navigator by November 30, 2016.

I strongly urge all BDGP participants to return all surveys and genotyping samples, and to arrange with their advisor to complete the carbon navigator, in order to receive payment in December.

“In the event that requirements have not been met within the specified time frame, payments will continue to be made in the New Year as herds continue to satisfy scheme requirements,” he said.

As of November 22, 17% of farmers had yet to submit their completed carbon navigators, figures from the Department show.

In October, the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, extended the deadline for the completion of the carbon navigators by one month to November 30 to enable all participants to complete the navigators so that payment can issue to them in December, subject to all other requirements of the programme having been met.

Minister Creed also announced that his Department intends to commence payments under the Genomics scheme in December to herds who have met their 2016 requirements.

I am delighted that payments are on target to commence in December under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme.

“The commencement of these payments will ensure that vital funding is injected into the beef sector before the end of the year,” he said.