Beef Welfare Scheme worth €28m to open this week

Suckler farmers are reminded to retain relevant receipts for meal, vaccinations and testing actions to supply as part of the scheme requirements

All suckler farmers with eligible calves born on their holdings between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, can apply for this scheme.

The 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme, worth €28m, will open this week for applications.

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon, said: “This year’s scheme is very similar in structure to last year’s version. It contains the same broad range of straightforward measures, along with the new inclusion of an additional option to vaccinate animals against the current strain of the bluetongue virus (BTV-3).” 

The scheme supports farmers in meal feeding suckler calves at weaning and in undertaking other voluntary actions that optimise animal performance, while allowing farmers to maximise their payments within the overall scheme allocation.

All suckler farmers with eligible calves born on their holdings between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, can apply for this scheme.

Applications must be lodged online through the MyAgFood.ie portal by 5pm on Wednesday September 23. The department has stressed there is no facility for late applications.

This deadline will allow participants who have passed all the necessary validation checks to be paid before the end of the year. Suckler farmers can simultaneously participate in both the Beef Welfare Scheme and the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP).

Mr Heydon said: “Combined with the SCEP and Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme, all three schemes are worth over €83m to farmers in 2026. I encourage all eligible farmers to read the scheme terms and conditions and to submit their applications on time.” 

The Beef Welfare Scheme terms and conditions, including details of penalties where non-compliances are identified, are available on the department website.

Farmers are reminded to retain copies of receipts for the meal feeding and for the vaccination and testing actions, if they also choose those options. They should maintain relevant records and submit them, on request, to the department to facilitate the efficient processing of scheme payments.