National Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme

The objective of the National Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme is to support decision making on farms through better quality data on herd performance and to increase the economic and environmental efficiency of the beef from the dairy herd, and to facilitate further the integration of the dairy and beef sectors by providing support for farmers who are rearing progeny from the dairy herd.

You can apply if you:

• are the owner of an active herd number with Herd Owner status
• submit a Basic Income Support for Sustainability application in 2023 and
• had a male calf of a dairy breed OR a male or female calf of a beef breed sire born to a dairy breed dam in your herd

These eligible calves must have been:

• at least 12 weeks of age at the time of weighing and been registered on the holding they are being weighed on for a minimum of 10 days prior to the date of weighing
• in your herd for at least 10 days before weighing
• born between 1st July 2022 and 30 June 2023

Actions you need to take to qualify

• you must weigh a minimum of 5 eligible calves and submit the weights to the ICBF
• calves must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of weighing
• all weights should be submitted within 7 days of weighing and before 1 November 2023

These actions must be completed in full to be eligible for any payment under the programme.

You can get up to €20 per eligible calf weighed. You must weigh at least 5 eligible calves and no more than 50.

The weights must be submitted to the ICBF for you to get a payment.

Payments will be made in December 2023.

Applications must be made on agfood.ie

The closing date for applications is 2 May 2023.

This is an outline of the measure. You must read the Terms and Conditions for full information.