IFA Calls for Extension of Closing Date on Weights for €40 Per Cow BEEP Scheme

IFA President Joe Healy has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed to extend the closing date of November 1^st to provide additional time for suckler farmers to weigh and submit their details under the BEEP scheme. He said animals will qualify for a €40 per cow payment on each cow-calf weight recorded.

Joe Healy said the volume of records being submitted to ICBF under the scheme has increased in recent weeks, with up to 35,000 records being submitted weekly.

The IFA President said a major push is needed from all concerned –  the Minister, DAFM, ICBF and farmers in order to maximise the number of respondents weight recording.

“The closing date needs to be extended and a strong promotional drive initiated at farm level through email, text and telephone so as maximise the response.”

He said, “It makes real sense to extend the closing date for the submission of weights under BEEP. Farmers will be able to the maximise funding under the scheme. Every set of weights recorded will add to the valuable data base in ICBF which will help drive further genetic gain and environmental progress.”

Under the scheme all suckler calves (beef sire x beef dam) born from 1^st Jul 2018 – 30^th June 2019 and their dams must be weighed.

Calves must be weighed before they are weaned and cows and calves must be weighed on the same day. Weights must be submitted to the ICBF database within 7 days of the animals being weighed on farm.