Beef data payments due to be made next month

It is intended to make payments under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme in December to herds who have met their 2015 requirements, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney announced yesterday.

He said he was delighted payments are on target to commence in December in respect of the first year of a participant’s six year contract.

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

Mr Coveney said to be eligible to receive payment in December, all surveys on animals born up to June 30 must be completed and returned to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation by December 8 and that all genotyping test kits must be submitted to the relevant laboratories.

“I strongly urge all Beef Data and Genomics Programme participants to return all surveys and genotyping samples to receive payment in December.

“In the event that all surveys and samples have not been submitted within the specified timeframe payments will continue to be made in the New Year as herds continue to satisfy scheme requirements,” he said.

The programme is a new measure introduced as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, from which more than 27,000 Irish suckler farmers will benefit over the next six years.

It’s a world first in terms of bringing genomic technology to beef farming and can revolutionise beef breeding and help to drive on-farm profitability. Mr Coveney said compliance levels among participants are already very encouraging, with almost 20,000 applications