BEEP BEEP! deadline fast approaching

THE deadline for the new BEEP programme is fast approaching, Teagasc in Kanturk is reminding farmers.

Twenty million euro has been made available for the Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot (BEEP) Scheme which will run for 2019. The pilot aims to improve weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves by recording live weights of beef cows and their calves pre-weaning.

“Weighing cows and calves will allow farmers to identify their most efficient cows and will also help to improve the reliabilities of important traits in the Euro-Star Index,” said Aisling Molloy of Teagasc in Kanturk.

The scheme is open to all suckler beef farmers and you do not have to be in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) to participate. Up to €40 per calf is available through the scheme.

The deadline for applications is February 22, 2019. Applications can be made through your online Agfood account. Application forms are also available from the Beef Schemes Section in Portlaoise and can be contacted on 076 1064420 or beep@ agriculture.gov.ie.