Almost 50,000 sign up for suckler welfare scheme

INTEREST in the suckler welfare scheme has exceeded all expectations. By the official closing date at the end of March almost 50,000 farmers had signed around 800,000 suckler cows into the scheme, which is worth €80 per cow per year.

Late applications — penalised at the rate of 1% of payments per day — were being received days after the official close.

Although cattle farmers are constantly under pressure to achieve decent profits, beef remains a strong employer and vital export earner, and the suckler scheme is crucial for maintaining cattle numbers for beef production.