Scheme that pays up to €40 per eligible suckler calf well under way

Up to last week, some 1,700 individuals had registered privately owned scales, and some 30,000 weights had been recorded, in the Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot (BEEP).

Participants in the Pilot should weigh eligible animals on their own holding before the calves are weaned, and they should be weighed individually and on the same day.

Weights must be submitted between March 8 and November 1, 2019.

“Participating farmers that do not have their own scales will be able to access scales from some 70 ICOS affiliated marts and co-ops for weighing their eligible cows and calves”, said Agriculture Minister Michael Creed.

The roll-out of rental scales is in conjunction with the release of smartphone applications for both Android and Apple devices that will facilitate the quick and accurate submission of weight records.

A farmer can use their own scales or one belonging to a third party, or can rent scales from an approved field service agent.

Weights may be submitted online, by smartphone application. or on a paper form available from ICBF.

ICBF has been registering privately owned scales and accepting weight records from participating beef farmers since March 8.

The 18,834 beef farmers who have applied to participate in the BEEP will receive payment of up to €40 per eligible calf if they comply with the weighing requirements and provide the requisite data to ICBF.

Full details are available on the ICBF’s www.icbf.com website.