The National Beef Welfare Scheme actions explained
By Conor Dobson,
Teagasc Advisor
Longford Town
The national beef welfare scheme has been brought out by the department of agriculture as a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the welfare of beef cattle through the implementation of specific measures. Now that the deadline for application has passed, it’s time for farmers to start working on the required actions. The two components of the scheme include infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) testing and meal feeding. Eligible calves born to eligible suckler cows during the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.
IBR testing
IBR testing plays a pivotal role in the scheme by enabling the identification and management of IBR, a repertory disease that is becoming more prevalent on farms across Ireland. Through systematic testing which this scheme provides farmers will have the opportunity to detect infected animals and implement the appropriate measures to control the spread of the disease. This proactive approach will help to maintain the high health status of Irish suckler herds. Where a herd has twenty or more bovines, a minimum of twenty must be tested. Where a herd has less than twenty bovines, ALL must be tested. The number of animals to be tested for IBR will be based on the number of animals on the holding on the day of testing. A payment of up to €300 is available for those that test the twenty cows.
Meal feeding
Part two of the scheme is the meal feeding aspect of the scheme participants must introduce meal feeding for a period of 4 weeks pre weaning and 2 weeks post -weaning to reduce the stress on calves at weaning time. Both aspects of the scheme are required so there is no choice between options which would have been prevalent in schemes in the past. The scheme will pay a rate of €35 a head to a maximum of 40 calves.
By implementing these measures, farmers can avail of payments up to one thousand seven hundred euro. Bothe actions need to be completed by the 1st November 2023.
Teagasc provides a Local Advisory and Education service to farmers. They have offices based in Roscommon Town (Tel: 090 6626166), Castlerea (Tel: 094 9620160) and Longford Town (Tel: 043 3341021), You can find us on Facebook @Teagascroscommonlongford, twitter @teagascRNLD and YouTube. And follow the hash-tag #RNLDwebinars for information about local farm webinars. Email; RoscommonLongfordAdvisory@teagasc.ie