€25m scheme to support dairy-beef sector opens
Participants will be required to use AI straws or stock bulls with a minimum rating of three stars on the ICBF Dairy Beef Index (DBI) and on the beef sub-index of the DBI.
A new support measure for dairy farmers producing calves destined for beef production has been announced.
The Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme (DBWS) has a budget of €25m over four years and is co-funded by the EU as part of the CAP Strategic Plan.
It comes as part of the implementation of the recently published ten-point action plan to support the development of a dairy-beef sector in Ireland.
The DBWS is a breeding measure to support farmers using genotyped and genetically superior beef sires for breeding dairy-beef calves.
Participants will be required to use AI straws or stock bulls with a minimum rating of three stars on the ICBF Dairy Beef Index (DBI) and on the beef sub-index of the DBI.
Farmers who satisfy the scheme requirements will receive a payment of €20 per eligible calf up to a maximum of 50 calves per holding.
“Both dairy and beef farmers recognise the gains to be made from the greater integration of the beef and dairy herds that this scheme supports," Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said.
"There are advantages for both buyers and sellers in a scheme that provides a market outlet for dairy-beef calves and an alternative business option for beef farmers.
"Closer integration will undoubtedly improve the quality, welfare and viability of male calves from dairy herds.”
The objective of the DBWS is to incentivise the use of genetic tools to improve the beef merit of progeny from dairy herds.
Breeding with high DBI index sires has established progeny performance benefits as measured by their Commercial Beef Value (CBV).
The scheme supports the use of the DBI to produce calves with a higher CBVs.
"The scheme being rolled delivers on a commitment given in the ten-point action plan for dairy calf to beef systems launched earlier this month," Mr McConalogue continued.
"High genetic merit sires will produce calves with high CBVs which reflect the potential profit of dairy-beef animals in terms of enhanced carcase value and earlier slaughter age.
"The CBV thus provides confidence to beef farmers when purchasing dairy beef calves for finishing.”
Applications for the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme can be lodged through agfood.ie until the closing date of May 15.
