Sheep and Goat census deadline is 14th February
Sheep and goat census returns deadline is Tuesday 14th February. Keepers are required to record census data on their flock registers and return their census data, preferably online. Find out how to complete the online census return here
With the deadline for completion of the sheep and goat census upon us, Teagasc Sheep Specialists Ciaran Lynch and Damian Costello produced this video detailing what's involved, step by step, in the completion of an online sheep census return.
Completed forms returned by post must arrive no later than 14th February 2023 at the address printed on the envelope provided with the census form. It is not permitted to submit forms by post through any office of the Department. The onus remains with the flock/herd keeper to make sure that completed census forms are received on time. In the case of dispute regarding postal returns, the only acceptable proof of postage is a Registered Post receipt. A postal certificate or express post receipt is not acceptable as proof of postage.
The Department is encouraging keepers to return census data online on agfood.ie. Online submission of the annual sheep and goat census information is straightforward and provides real-time confirmation when the information input has been submitted successfully.
Online Benefits
The benefits of using the on-line census facility include:
- the facility to view census history;
- peace of mind that census details have been submitted successfully;
- no additional inconvenience or costs associated with registering a postal return; and
- sheep keepers registered for on-line services can order books of sheep dispatch/movement documents on-line through the Animal Identification and Movements (AIM) system.
The closing date for receipt of completed census forms by post is also Tuesday 14th February, the same date for online submissions via agfood.ie. Failure to return a completed form on time could impact on eligibility for some DAFM schemes.
Find more information from Teagasc Sheep here