What upcoming scheme dates should sheep farmers watch out for?
Farmers are being advised that several key deadlines for completing sheep scheme task requirements are fast approaching.
Teagasc adviser Eamonn Patten has reminded farmers that now is an ideal time to make sure paperwork and scheme requirements are completed on time.
The Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS), which pays €12 for every eligible breeding ewe, requires farmers to have completed one action from each of the lists specified below:
| A | B |
|---|---|
| Lameness control | Management of pregnant ewes (scanning) |
| Mineral supplementation of ewes post‑mating | Flystrike control |
| Meal feeding of lambs post‑weaning | Mineral supplementation of lambs pre‑weaning |
| Parasite control using faecal egg counts (FEC) | Genotyped ram action |
There are requirements within each task.
For example, farmers registered for the genotyped ram action will require farmers with over 150 ewes to purchase at least two genotyped rams in the first thee years, or one ram if they have less than 150 ewes.
Teagasc advises farmers that each year of this scheme the same tasks must be carried out, one A and one B activity. The year the ram task is selected replaces the other task B for that year.
The following are deadlines for actions under SIS.
More detailed breakdowns of scheme requirements and deadlines can be obtained from Teagasc or industry advisers.
- Lameness control: Five assessments per year (at least one prior to mating);
- Mineral supplementation of ewes post‑mating: Cover first 60 days from ram turnout;
- Parasite control - lowland: FEC on lambs, two separate occasions, between June 1 and September 30 annually;
- Parasite control - hill: FEC on lambs once within four weeks of weaning;
- Meal feeding of lambs post‑weaning: For four weeks;
- Scanning - Category B and hill farm: 70-100 days post-ram turnout;
- Flystrike control: Sheep assessed at least once from June 1 to September 30;
- Mineral supplementation of lambs pre‑weaning: At least once during the grazing season;
- Genotyped ram: Required to purchase and use a genotype ram within the scheme year(s) selected for this action on their application.
Where only a Category A action has been completed, payment will be €3.50 per breeding ewe.
The payment will decrease to €2.50/ewe if only the category B action is completed.
National Sheep Welfare Scheme
The National Sheep Welfare Scheme requires farmers to complete three activities and pays farmers €13 per breeding ewe.
Farmers must chose two activities from category A and one category B activity.
| A | B |
|---|---|
| Shearing | Footbathing |
| Body condition scoring (BCS) of ewes with appropriate follow‑on management | Plunge dipping for external parasite control (sheep showers do not qualify) |
| Clostridial vaccination of ewes |
The dates for completion of activities under the welfare scheme are as follows:
- Shearing: October 17 or November 28 (selected on application);
- BCS: First check April 15-July 15; second check August 1-October 17 (must be eight weeks between checks);
- Clostridial vaccination: Complete by your selected date, October 17 or November 28;
- Footbathing: Carry out twice between April 1 and October 1;
- Plunge dipping: Complete by your selected date, October 17 or November 28.
Tasks will require documentation to prove that the activities were carried out. The level and kind of proof will depend on the task.
By keeping records including dates, activities and visual evidence, a farmer will ensure they are eligible for payment.
The fine for not completing all the tasks will result in non-payment of the benefit and a 20% fine on the total that would be paid. This works out at €2.60 per eligible ewe.
In total, the two schemes will pay sheep farmers €25 per ewe, which works out at €1,250 for every 50 ewes.
Many sheep farmers carry out these actions as standard practice, so applying for the schemes provides an opportunity to improve farm sustainability.
