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HomeBeefBDGP requirements in 2021- what suckler farmers need to know
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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BDGP requirements in 2021- what suckler farmers need to know

The Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, has released a list of requirements for farmers who wish to extend their participation in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP).

The EU Commission granted approval for the programme to continue next year.

BDGP requirements in 2021
Who can apply?

The extension is open to BDGP participants who have met requirements for the full six-year duration of the programme from 2015-2020.

How can I qualify?

To be eligible for payments you must follow the measures set out in the programme, which include:

  • Recording calving details;
  • Genotying animals;
  • Completing surveys;
  • Maintaining a proportion of high genetic merit animals;
  • Completing a Carbon Navigator update;
  • For applicants using a stock bull, at least one animal on the holding on the 30th June, 2021 must be a genotyped 4 or 5-star bull;
  • At least 80% is the AI used on participating holdings must be from 4 or 5-star bulls;
  • 50% of the reference number of heifers/eligible suckler cows must be 4/5 star on each holding on October 31st, 2021.

Rates of payment

Payment will be made at a rate of €142.50 for each of the first 6.66 hectares of eligible forage land and €120 on the remaining eligible hectares.

The eligible hectares on which you are entitled to claim is calculated as the number of calved cows on your holding in 2014 divided by a standard stocking rate of 1.5, up to the limit of the declared forage land deemed eligible.

Eligible land is declared on your 2014 Single Payment Scheme application.

How to apply

  • The Department will issue an SMS to BDGP 2015 – 2020 applicants who have signed up with the Department to receive text messages, or:
  • Login or register at agfood.ie
Closing date

Lastly, the closing date for receipt of applications is January 15th, 2021.

2020 payments 

Meanwhile, earlier this week, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue confirmed that payments under the 2020 BDGP have commenced.

The minister made the announcement on Monday, December 14th.

The Minister said: “Payments have started issuing and will continue over the coming days and into next week. It is expected that approximately €37 million will be paid out to over 21,000 farmers.”

“The BDGP has also introduced genetic technology into the national herd thus improving farm profitability.”

“Ensuring the rapid issuing of payments of schemes such as the BDGP is a key priority of mine in supporting our suckler beef sector. This comes as part of the latest measure both this Government and Department has delivered for suckler farmers.”

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