The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, T.D., today reminded farmers and their advisors that the online  application process for both the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme - Suckler (BEEP-S) for 2020 and the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is open until 15 May 2020.  Suckler farmers should ensure that they apply for the BEEP-S programme in time so as to ensure that they get the full benefits  of this new  Programme.   So far, over 5,400 farmers have already applied for BEEP-S. Separately all farmers are reminded to apply online for the  2020 BPS which is the largest direct payment scheme paid to Irish farmers every year. Applications recevived for BPS are significantly ahead of previous years, with 50,800 applications submitted so far.

BEEP-S, which has a funding provision of €35 million in 2020, will target the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves - measuring the live weight of the calf at weaning as a percentage of the cow's live weight. In recognition of the important role of animal health and welfare in economic and environmental efficiency, participants in the programme will also be encouraged to implement a number of optional health and welfare measures.

 If participants take on the  additional measures along with the weight recording measure, they  will be eligible for a  payment of up to €90 for the first ten suckler cow/calf pairs per herd, and up to €80 per pair thereafter, subject to an overall maximum of 100 pairs per herd.

Minister Creed stated, “It is more important now than ever before for suckler farmers to  take full advantage of  these new financial supports. This programme builds on the success of the 2019 BEEP pilot and is another support measure aimed at helping beef farmers. The programme aims to increase economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd though improvement in the quantity and quality of performance data collected, with a view to supporting the adoption of best practice and more informed decision making at farm level. The more farmers that participate, the more high quality data we receive which in turn will help drive greater efficiency in beef production ”

BEEP-S Programme actions are as follows:

1. Mandatory weighing action: €50 per first ten cow/calf weighing per herd (and €40 per cow/calf weighing thereafter), This action measures the ratio of calf weight at weaning to maternal weight, enabling farmers to readily identify their most economic and environmentally efficient suckler cows in their herd.
2. Optional action: €30 for an additional welfare action, with a choice of either a vaccination programme or a pre-weaning meal feeding programme. This action will improve the health and welfare of suckler calves at weaning time.
3. Optional action: €10 for a further option – participation in a faecal egg testing programme. This action is targeted at the control of liver and rumen fluke in adult suckler cows, improving animal health and welfare.

Grants of up to €8,100 are available for Suckler farmers  under BEEP-S.

Examples : A Suckler herd of 20 can avail of up to €1,700 for full participation in the options available while a herd of 40 can avail of up to €3,300. The maximum payment is for 100 Cow/Calf pairs with a total payment of €8,100 based on participation in the options available.

Notes for editor:

Terms and Conditions of the programme are available at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/beep/

• Applications must be made online and the application window will remain open until 15 May 2020, which is also the closing date for the Basic Payment Scheme.
• BEEP participants from 2019 are not automatically included in BEEP-S and must apply for the programme.

• Grants of up to €8,100 are available for Suckler farmers  under BEEP-S.

ENDS

Date Released: 08 April 2020