Diary dates: Key scheme deadlines

With some farmers participating in numerous schemes across different enterprises, along with ACRES, it can be difficult to keep up with deadlines. In this article, Nollaig O’Dowd, B&T Drystock Advisor at Teagasc Galway/Clare, provides a timely reminder of some critical deadlines farmers must meet.

SCEP (Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme)

There are five main actions and a training course under SCEP. However, the three below have deadlines approaching:  

• Genotyping - Applicants are required to genotype 70% of their yearly reference number down to the nearest animal each year of the 5 year contract. Genomic samples will not be accepted after November 30^th 2024.
• Weighing and Submission of weights to ICBF - Participants must weigh at least 80% of eligible animals born on the holding of the yearly reference number in each scheme year and their dams and submit weights to ICBF. Weights should be submitted within 7 days of weighing and no later than November 1^st
• SCEP Training Course - One of the eligibility conditions of SCEP participation requires that participants must complete a SCEP training course by November 15^th The course can be completed online or at in person sessions throughout the country.

Beef Welfare Scheme

Coming up to the winter housing period, farmers may be preparing to wean and administer vaccinations to weanlings. It is important to keep meal receipts for 4 weeks prior to weaning and 2 weeks after. In addition, a receipt for vaccination will be required if inspection is carried out, if you selected that option. Discuss with your vet the most suitable course of vaccination for your farm.

For those participating in the SCEP, calves must be weighed before weaning. Additionally, if meal feeding is carried out under the Beef Welfare Scheme, calves cannot be sold within 15 days of the weighing date.

ACRES

Non-Productive Investments (NPIs)

ACRES Co Operation (CP) participants have the option to apply for NPIs (non-productive investments). ACRES CP farmers have until October 31^st 2024 to submit an NPI annual works plan. Discuss options with your advisor.

Rare Breeds

ACRES tranche 1 participants whom selected the ‘rare breed’ action must submit an annual declaration for the conservation of rare breeds before November 15^th 2024 through an online portal. Documents required are:

1) Proof of Breed Society membership.

2) Identification documents and certificates issued by the relevant breed society for each registered animal.

3) Completed rare breed’s annual declaration.

Soil samples

ACRES tranche 1 participants have until December 31^st 2024 to upload valid soil sample reports to the ACRES system. Soil samples taken on or after January 1^st 2022 are valid. 1 sample is required every 5 hectares up to 40 hectares. If you do not have the required number of samples taken, it is essential you arrange to do so as soon as possible as it can take a number of weeks for soil samples to be processed.

Training courses

ACRES tranche 2 training courses are now taking place across the country. It is essential each ACRES participant completes an ACRES training course in the first year of their ACRES contract. Therefore, December 31^st 2024 is the deadline to have a course completed.

Sheep Improvement Scheme

There are a total of 12 actions under the Sheep improvement scheme. Applicants had to select 2 actions along with the mandatory action of purchasing a genotyped SIS eligible ram.

For participants that selected 2024 as the year in which they purchase an SIS eligible ram, now would be the time to do so, if not already purchased. The year in which you selected can be checked online through AgFood. You can also check if a ram is SIS eligible with his tag number through the Sheep Ireland website.

Lameness control

Lameness examination must take place prior to mating and appropriate actions taken.

Mineral supplementation to ewes post mating

Mineral Supplementation is required to be administered to ewes to ensure the duration of cover provided by the minerals includes at least the first 60 days from the date of ram turn out. Therefore, minerals must be given to ewes before ram turn out and ensure at least 60 days cover.

Sheep Welfare Scheme

Farmers selected to carrying out two of the below actions.

• Shearing
  • Farmers within the National Sheep Welfare Scheme who chose this action must carry it out in full by October 15^th 2024. A wool docket or shearing receipt may be used as evidence shearing took place.
• BCS
  • If body condition scoring under the scheme, the Second BCS Assessment must be carried out between 1st August – 15th October 2024.
• Vaccinating
  • If vaccinating breeding ewes against Clostridial diseases +/- Pasteurella, it must be completed by 15th October 2024.
• Plunge Dipping
  • Plunge dipping must be completed by 15th October 2024.

Organic and Chemical Fertiliser

The slurry spreading period is now closed. However, farmers can continue to spread farm yard manure (dung) until November 1^st 2024. The date has passed for the spreading of chemical fertilisers. Farmers must declare their closing stock of fertiliser through AgFood by October 15^th 2024. A declaration is still required if there is no fertiliser on hand.

TAMS

The closing of the current TAMS tranche is December 6^th 2024.

The New Farming for Water EIP

The new farming EIP is a European Innovation Partnership (EIP) which will provide €50 million to farmers to implement measures designed to help improve water quality. It may provide funding for measures such as stream fencing, alternative water supply, nose pumps, solar pumps, fenced margins, riparian buffer zones, hedge and tree planting etc., for farms within Priority Areas for Action. It is currently opened for applications. Contact your local ASSAP Advisor for more information.

Table 1: Summary of upcoming deadlines by scheme