SCEP - All the key information you need for the new Suckler scheme...

The new Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) has been introduced and replaces both the BEEP-S and the BDGP schemes. It is a five-year scheme with the intent of supporting beef farmers and to improve the environmental sustainability of the national herd. Due to the length of the scheme, it is important to plan ahead and remain in suckler farming for five years. Continue reading to understand the scheme further and to see how Herdwatch could make life easier for you.

How it works?

Once the farmer has completed the application before the deadline (22^nd May) he will receive a scheme reference number. This number is based off the number of animals you had in herd during your three best years from 2016- 2021. There is flexibility in terms of reducing this number by 20% if farmers are struggling to meet the yearly target, however a farmer may not go over this number.

Am I Eligible?

For farmers to join the SCEP scheme, they also need to be a member of SBLAS, the Bord Bia Quality Assurance scheme by the 16^{th of} October 2023 and remain in this scheme for five years. A BISS must be filled out each year. Famers must also ensure they calve down 50% of their reference number annually. It will also be a requirement for farmers to attend training and in SCEP and animal handling by the 15^th of November 2024.

What do I get?

Farmers will be paid on a per hectare basis due to the environmental aspects of the scheme. As a result, farmers who are accepted into this scheme will receive €225/ ha on the first 15 hectares and €180/ha on the remaining hectares. This will work out as €150 per cow on the first 22 cows and €120 per cow on the remaining cows.

The scheme was developed around five main mandatory actions that farmers need to be aware of throughout the five-year period. It is important that farmers are aware if these actions before signing up to the scheme and the increases that will occur in these annual targets.

How Herdwatch can help you?

Herdwatch is a livestock management app that eliminates paperwork and allows farmers to make better decisions around their livestock. Due to the mandatory actions that farmers must adhere to within SCEP, Herdwatch will be able to help you monitor your breeding records, ensure full compliance with ICBF and Bord Bia and enable farmers to record weights all from your pocket.

ICBF Compliant- By clicking on the blue DNA symbol within the animal’s profile, farmers can view their animals star ratings within their herd. They can also make easily informed decisions around bull selection as the records will come down from ICBF onto your animal profile which is easily accessible on your mobile phone. Having these records at hand makes it faster for farmers to view their animals star ratings whilst also giving them the chance to make future planned decisions around which cows will be bred and which replacement heifers should be kept.

Weighing- Herdwatch allows farmers to record the weights of both calves and cows in your herd. Once completed, the farmer will be able to get a detailed report of the weight recording within the management section in Reports. As well as weighing, farmers can record the BCS of their breeding cows and heifers within the App.

To record Weights:

1. Click on Performance.
2. Tap on the orange plus sign.
3. Select Weight Recording.
4. Edit details- Next.
5. Input the weights and click save.

Buy and Sell- Herdwatch have an Ad listings feature on the app that allows members to view verified Ads in your area. This feature makes buying and selling animals very easy especially for those who are busy during the summer months with silage and breeding. Potential buyers can search through the listings and view an animal’s profile which has been verified by Herdwatch through its connection with the department. Information such as days in herd, residency count, weight and more information around quality assurance will be available for viewing.

To create a FREE Ad, Click here.

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If you would like to make your SCEP journey easier, join over 18,000 farmers using Herdwatch today by getting in touch now and save up to 3 hours a week on paperwork!