Get the Latest Details on the New Sheep Scheme
IFA discussed details of the new €10 per ewe sheep scheme with senior officials from the Department of Agriculture this week.
The scheme will be based on the animal welfare measure in the Rural Development Programme, which allows for a payment per head. A flat rate payment will apply.
The reference period for the maximum number of ewes eligible for payment will be based on the average of 2014 and 2015 ewes in the sheep census, with farmers paid on the actual numbers the apply on in 2016 or future years. Farmers participating in GLAS and as part of their Commonage Management Plan or Farm Plan required to increase numbers above these levels will be paid on the higher numbers.
Sheep farmers will have nine different options in total and it is proposed they will be divided into two categories – farmers will be required to choose an option from each category. The proposals are outlined below.
Lowland Flock
Category A
Lameness
Farmer required to carry out five lameness examinations per year at prescribed times, recording incidence and scoring.
Mineral supplementation of ewes
Supplement minerals to ewes post-mating to help combat deficiencies, reducing still births and mortality.
Category B
Parasite control
Undertake two faecal egg counts per annum to establish worm burden.
Scanning
Scan ewes 80 days after ram turnout. Mark, divide and feed according to litter size.
Flystrike
Introduce a flystrike programme during high risk months through chemical control and dagging.
Breeding
Purchase of 3-4 or 5 star rated ram per 40 ewes on terminal or replacement index before the end of year three of the scheme.
Hill Flock
Category A
Mineral supplementation of ewes
Supplement minerals to ewes post-mating to help combat deficiencies, reducing still births and mortality.
Meal feeding post weaning
Feeding a suitable lamb ration containing minerals for four weeks post weaning.
Category B
Parasite control
Undertake one faecal egg count on lambs for worms or one on ewes for liver fluke.
Scanning
Scan ewes 80 days after ram turnout. Mark, divide and feed according to litter size.
Mineral supplementation of Lambs
Supplement lambs with minerals pre-weaning in hill flocks
Breeding
Purchase of 3-4 or 5 star rated ram per 40 ewes on terminal or replacement index before the end of year three of the scheme,
or Parentage recorded ram
Purchase parentage recorded ram per 40 ewes for one breeding season before end of year three.
