Sheep Schemes: Welfare, Improvement or Both?
Eamonn Patten, B&T Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinrobe, takes a closer look at the New National Sheep Welfare Scheme for 2024, including the actions farmers must complete to ensure scheme compliance.
Sheep schemes are a valuable income supplement for sheep farmers, but unfortunately the money won’t make anyone rich. Differentiating between the different schemes and requirements can be tricky and it’s a pity some more imagination wasn’t used for the titles.
In 2023, we had the introduction of the Sheep Improvement Scheme. This builds on the progress made by the old Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS) which finished in 2022. The Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) is funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan and is proposed to run for five years with a payment of €12/ewe. It’s based on a one-year contract with automatic renewal unless the opt-out is triggered by the farmer, or the Department. The new National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) was launched earlier this year which is national exchequer funded and is an annual application.
Let’s have a look at requirements of this NEW National Sheep Welfare Scheme for 2024.
Reference number (payable number)
Applicants will be paid €8 per breeding ewe up to the reference number of animals. The default reference number is the average numbers of breeding ewes declared on sheep census returns from 2020 - 2022 or the 2023 return figure, whichever is higher. There was an option to reduce this at application time. This is the number of ewes required on holding to complete two actions to receive the full payment. Importantly, farmers need to be aware that the Reference Number (payable number) under both schemes will be different unless deliberately matched up at application time.
Actions
There are two separate categories as outlined below and one action from each category must be completed. The important point is that the completion of an action/task can be proven and was completed at correct time.
Category A
Shearing
The shearing action must be completed by October 15, 2024. Farmers must fill out the scheme action record sheets and retrieve receipts from a shearing contractor or evidence of sale of the wool to a wool merchant.
OR
Body condition scoring of ewes
Must carry out TWO assessments. The first assessment must be carried out between 15 April and 15 July 2024, and the second assessment undertaken between 1 August and 15 October 2024. All scores must be recorded on the scheme action record sheets. It is also important that appropriate follow-on management is completed based on the results of the scoring.
Category B
Clostridial vaccination of ewes (or lambs)
Farmers that select clostridial vaccination of ewes should document evidence of completion of this action, which will include completion of the scheme action record sheets, and receipts for sufficient vaccination for breeding ewes. If breeding ewes are not currently in a clostridial vaccination programme, their lambs may be vaccinated as an alternative. The vaccination must be carried out in accordance with the appropriate instructions as detailed by the manufacturer, and all details must be clearly recorded in the Scheme Action Record Sheets. All lambs from payable ewes must be vaccinated.
OR
Plunge dipping of ewes
This action must be completed by October 15. Farmers can use their own plunge dip or use a mobile plunge dipping service operator. Records of sheep dip purchased must be retained by the farmer. Document evidence of the action on the scheme action record sheets. Note: the use of shower sprayers is not sufficient and it must be plunge dipping.
Compliance
As with all Department schemes, there is a penalty schedule. If only one action is undertaken and completed, the payment will be only €2/ewe based on 50% payment (one action completed = €4) and a 50% penalty. If no action is completed, there is an administrative penalty of €1.60/ewe.
If actions are not completed on full payable numbers, a penalty will be imposed which is normally double the difference. For example - if payable number is 50 ewes and inspection only find 40, will only be paid on 30 ewes. For all sheep schemes, it is always best to contact or notify the Department if your ewe numbers are reduced below reference number, payments will be based on what ewes you have - thus avoiding the risk of penalties.