Ireland's New €20 Million Beef Welfare Scheme: What Suckler Farmers Need to Know

The Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) has announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at supporting suckler farmers across Ireland. The Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS) for 2024, which opens for applications in early August, brings a total of €20 million in funding designed to improve animal welfare and management practices on suckler farms.

Enhancing Animal Health and Welfare on Suckler Farms

The primary aim of the 2024 Beef Welfare Scheme is to implement effective measures that enhance the health and husbandry of suckler calves. This scheme will support farmers in meal feeding calves during the critical weaning period and in vaccinating against common diseases like clostridial infections and calf pneumonia. Such measures are expected to reduce stress, promote healthy growth, and ultimately lead to more resilient and productive herds.

Core Components of the Scheme

1. Meal Feeding Requirement

• Purpose: The meal feeding initiative aims to provide nutritional support to suckler calves, reducing weaning stress and promoting steady growth.
• Guidelines: Farmers must feed calves meals for four weeks prior to weaning and continue for two weeks afterward. This feeding regime helps calves adjust to dietary changes, ensuring better health and productivity.
• Compensation: Participating farmers will receive €35 per calf to support the cost of meal feeding.

2. Vaccination Option

• Objective: This optional component focuses on preventing diseases like clostridial infections and calf pneumonia, which can significantly impact herd health.
• Participation: Farmers must opt into the vaccination program during the application process. Once enrolled, they can choose which diseases to target, ideally in consultation with their veterinary advisors.
• Incentive: A payment of €15 per calf is offered for those participating in the vaccination program, regardless of whether one or both diseases are targeted.

Eligibility Criteria for Farmers

To participate in the scheme, farmers must meet several eligibility requirements:

• Calves: Only those calves born to eligible suckler cows between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, qualify for the scheme.
• Herd Management: Farmers must adhere to DAFM’s welfare standards, which ensure proper feeding, health management, and general care of the herd.
• Feeding Schedule: Compliance with the six-week meal feeding schedule around weaning is mandatory for all participants.

Financial Benefits and Payments

The Beef Welfare Scheme provides substantial financial support to suckler farmers:

• Total Payment: Each farmer can receive up to €2,000, contingent on a maximum of 40 eligible calves.
• Breakdown: This includes €35 per calf for mandatory meal feeding and €15 per calf for the optional vaccination component.
• Oversubscription Clause: If the scheme receives more applications than expected, the DAFM may apply a linear reduction either to the payment amounts or the number of calves eligible to ensure all participants receive some level of support.

Broader Context and Government Support

Charlie McConalogue, the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, highlighted the scheme's significance in providing comprehensive support to suckler farmers. The BWS complements the existing Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), which aims to enhance environmental sustainability and efficiency on farms.

Synergy Between BWS and SCEP

Financial Synergy: By participating in both the BWS and the SCEP, farmers can earn up to €200 per cow/calf pair for the first 22 pairs, significantly boosting their income and supporting their operations.

Environmental Goals: The SCEP emphasises reducing carbon emissions and improving resource efficiency, aligning with Ireland’s broader environmental and agricultural objectives.

Application Process

Farmers interested in joining the 2024 Beef Welfare Scheme are encouraged to prepare their applications ahead of the August opening. The application process involves:

• Vaccination Selection: Farmers must indicate whether they wish to participate in the optional vaccination program during the application stage.
• Eligibility Confirmation: Ensuring all calves and herd management practices meet the eligibility criteria outlined by DAFM.
• Veterinary Consultation: Consulting with veterinary professionals is recommended for those selecting the vaccination option to develop a tailored health plan for their herds.

The new €20 million Beef Welfare Scheme is a substantial opportunity for suckler farmers to improve herd welfare and productivity. By investing in calf nutrition and health, the scheme aims to enhance the overall performance and sustainability of Ireland’s beef industry. This initiative reaffirms the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and strengthening Ireland's reputation for high-quality beef production. Farmers are urged to apply early to make the most of this valuable support.

For more detailed information on the scheme and the application process, farmers can visit the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine’s official website or reach out to local agricultural advisors for guidance.

How can Herdwatch help you in the latest schemes?

With the Herdwatch App, farmers can record all farm management records in one place and remain compliant for schemes in Ireland. Some important records that farmers need to track for the BWS + SCEP include:

1. Weight Recording
2. Feed Purchases + Usage
3. Calf Registration
4. Vaccination + Treatment Records
5. Synced with AgFoods
6. Synced with ICBF

To find our more about the Herdwatch App get in touch today and a member of the team will walk you through some essential tools to help you stay compliant for the schemes and reduce the amount of time spent on paperwork.