Press release
Minister McConalogue announces extension to the closing date for the National Beef Welfare Scheme 2023
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, today announced that he was extending the closing date for the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS) to midnight on 26 September 2023. This is to allow as many farmers as possible apply for the scheme.
The scheme will support farmers in meal feeding suckler calves in advance of and after weaning, and in testing for the presence of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) in their herds. Both actions are mandatory for farmers who wish to participate in the scheme.
Farmers who take part in the NBWS as well as the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), can earn €200/cow calf pair up to a maximum number of animals.
Commenting on the extension, Minister McConalogue emphasised the importance of participants in the scheme engaging with their vet as early as possible, as the IBR element of the scheme must be completed and the blood samples with the laboratory by 5.30pm on 1 November 2023 at the very latest.
Participants must get their herd tested for IBR by engaging a veterinarian to select, blood sample and test up to twenty animals for IBR antibodies. Where a herd has twenty or more bovines, twenty must be tested. If a herd has less than twenty bovines, then all must be tested. Farmers will be paid up to €300 per herd depending on the number of animals tested for IBR.
Participants are also reminded that they must introduce meal feeding for a period of four weeks pre-weaning and two weeks post-weaning to reduce calf stress at weaning time. Farmers will be paid €35 per eligible calf up to a maximum of 40 calves.
Applications must be lodged online through agfood.ie.
There is no facility for late applications after the new extension closing date of 26 September 2023 and the department expects to commence payments to cleared cases in early December 2023.
Minister McConalogue concluded:
"The suckler and beef sectors play a really important role in our rural economies and direct payments are vital to support farmers in this role. In recognition of this I have ensured that along with substantial payments under the CAP Strategic Plan, suckler farmers can also access this national scheme in 2023."
Full terms and conditions of the scheme are available at the following link: gov.ie - National Beef Welfare Scheme (www.gov.ie).
The calf rearing period is crucial in beef enterprises because the growth rate achieved during those months can affect the lifetime performance of the animal. Optimising calf nutrition gives it the greatest chance of achieving its full genetic potential for growth and feed conversion efficiency.
IBR is a viral disease of cattle that is mainly associated with pneumonia and death but can also result in reproductive losses, particularly abortions. Infection is common in Irish beef and dairy herds, contributing to reductions in their economic, environmental and social sustainability. The economic impact of the disease is estimated to be more than €100 million per annum.
Addressing IBR at a national level is part of the overall contribution of improved animal health identified within the Agricultural Efficiency MACC published recently by Teagasc.
The IBR measure within the National Beef Welfare Scheme will provide each participant with information on the presence and extent of infection within their herd, or alternatively, evidence of the herd being potentially free of infection. This information will provide a solid basis for further discussion with their veterinary practitioner on developing a tailored approach to IBR within their herd health plan, including review and modification, as necessary, of current control measures including biosecurity and vaccination.
Collectively, the results will also contribute to ongoing stakeholder discussions on a national eradication programme.
The NBWS is funded from a once-off 2023 allocation to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) provided to offset some of the negative impacts of Brexit on the beef sector.
Suckler farmers can participate in this new scheme and the five-year Suckler Carbon Efficiency scheme (SCEP) at the same time.
Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), launched in December 2022, is the second annual update to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2019.
This plan is the first to be prepared under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and following the introduction of economy-wide carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings.
Implementation of the Climate Action Plan will create jobs, new economic opportunities and protect people and the planet. Access CAP23 and its annex of actions.