What new BEEP means for you

We delve into the small print to answer the questions farmers will be asking about the scheme

The new and improved Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) has been hailed by farm organisations, with some even suggesting that it represents a change in direction by Minister Creed away from cumbersome complicated interventions towards more simplified practical measures.

We took a look at the fine print on the new scheme and answered some of the key questions farmers will be asking:

Who can apply?

Suckler farmers must have one or more beef-breed animals born in the herd between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.

What number of animals will be paid on?

Payment will only be made on the number of unweaned calves born on the holding between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020 and where the weights of both the live calf and their live dams have been recorded and submitted to ICBF to a maximum of 100 calves.

What is the payment rate?

Payment will be €50 for first 10 cow/ calf weighing per herd and €40 per cow/calf weighing thereafter.

Meal feeding rates are €30 per calf weighed; vaccination €30 per calf; and faecal egg testing €10 per cow.

How do I apply?

Application may only be made online through www.agfood.ie

Will there be selection criteria applied if it is oversubscribed?

In the event of oversubscription, there will be a linear reduction to each payment.

Do you have to be in the BDGP to apply?

No, farmers that are not in BDGP can apply

Do you have to be in BEEP 2019 to

apply? No

What is an eligible cow?

A suckler cow which:

■ Belongs to a beef breed or is sired by a beef breed bull.

■ Is not used to supply milk commercially.

■ Is part of a herd intended for rearing calves for meat production. ■ Rears a calf by suckling.

■ Is in the ownership and possession of the applicant and maintained on the holding.

■ Is properly tagged, registered and recorded in accordance with AIM rules.

■ Is inseminated either through natural service or AI, by a bull of a beef breed.

■ Gives birth to an eligible live calf, in the applicant’s herd.

What is an eligible calf?

A calf which:

■ Was born in the herd of the applicant between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020

■ Belongs to a beef breed, i.e. is born out of an eligible suckler cow and sired by a beef breed bull.

■ Is part of a herd intended for rearing calves for meat production. ■ Is in the ownership and possession of the applicant since birth and maintained on the holding. ■ Calf must be alive at the time of weighing.

■ Has been tagged and registered with the Department.

Is a Friesian calf bred from a Charolais cow eligible?

No. The bull used must be of a beef breed.

Does the sire (bull) have to be a pure-bred/pedigree bull?

No.

What is the duration of the BEEP?

It is a one-year programme for 2020.

Is the reference number of animals for BDGP linked to BEEP?

There is no connection between the reference number of animals for BDGP and BEEP-S

Will I be paid extra for twins?

Yes, provided weights are recorded for cow and both calves and actions are taken for both.

When will payment issue?

Payments will start in Q4 2020 and applicants will be paid provided all weighings have been submitted and information on additional actions have been recorded, and where necessary, verified.

Where can I weigh my animals?

The animals must be weighed on your holding. Animals must be weighed individually and on the same day.

What are the options available to get scales?

There are two options available to herd-owners for the recording of weight data as part of BEEP-S.

These are: (i) a rental model, whereby participants rent scales from an approved field service agent to undertake the BEEP weight recording process,

or (ii) Owned, borrowed or using a third-party service provider’s scales. This is where a farmer can use their own scales or one belonging to a third party. These scales will have to be pre-registered with ICBF.

Where can I get details of the rental model locations?

Info is available on www.icbf.com

If weighing scales was previously registered does it have to be registered again?

No, scales previously registered for BEEP 2019 do not need to be re-registered.