ICSA suckler chair, Ger O’Brien, has reminded suckler farmers that this week will be vital for all participating in suckler schemes.
BDGP participants must ensure that 50% of their reference number are eligible, genotyped, 4/5-star females over 16 months of age on October 31st.
“Failure to meet this target leaves a potential penalty of 140% of a full year’s payment. Farmers can still purchase these animals, but they must be transferred to the herd by October 31st.” the suckler chair said.
BEEP-S
“Suckler farmers participating in the BEEP-S scheme must ensure that cow and calf pairs are weighed by 31 October at the latest.”
Farmers need to submit these results within seven days of weighing which means they must be inputted before November 7th.
“This is worth €50/cow on the first 10 cows and €40/cow thereafter to a maximum of 100 cows.”
“There is an additional optional €30/cow for feeding meal pre-weaning and post-weaning or vaccinating against pneumonia.”
Records have to be submitted in relation to these. The records will have to show that calves were fed for a minimum of four weeks before weaning and two weeks afterwards.”
Dung samples
“There is an additional €10/cow for taking dung samples to analyse for parasites. Samples must be submitted to an approved laboratory before November 1st.
A minimum of 10 separate samples must be submitted to a maximum of 100.
“In practice, 10 samples will suffice to give a good picture for the average suckler herd, but large herds may choose to do more,” O’Brien concluded.
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