Beef Scheme Deadlines
Type Media Article
By Martina Donnelly, B&T Drystock Adviser, Teagasc Galway/Clare
As we approach autumn, there are a number of actions that applicants of the BEEP-S and Dairy Beef Scheme need to complete in order to comply before payment will issue.
BEEPS Scheme:
The objective of BEEP-S is to further increase the economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd. The programme targets the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves and seeks to improve the welfare of suckler calves at weaning and also the control of liver fluke in adult suckler cows. The target is 42%.
Mandatory Action 1: Weighing:
This is a compulsory action. All calves being submitted for weighing must have been born between 1st July 2021 and 30th June 2022. The unweaned live calf and dam must be weighed on the same day. The farmers own scales, borrowed or rented scales may be used once registered with ICBF. All weights should be submitted within 7 days of weighing and no later than the 1st November 2022.
Mandatory Action 2: Meal Feeding or Vaccination:
As part of the scheme requirements applicants must complete one of the following chosen actions selected at the time of application;
Meal Feeding of Calves: Pre-Weaning and Post Weaning:
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 and record the action. Calves must be supplemented with compound feeding stuffs containing appropriate minerals and vitamins. Participants must record the date of weaning of each animal that is being submitted for payment under this action. Where groups of calves are weaned on different dates record the different weaning dates for each group. The recommended daily feeding allowance for meal feeding is 1kg per animal per day.
Or
Vaccination of Calves:
Implement a Vaccination Programme for respiratory diseases in suckler calves and record details of vaccination. Applicants must choose one of the following vaccination protocols:
Option 1: If there is a short time before risk period or if cattle can only be handled once. Single RSV and Pi3 Intranasal, 2 to 4 weeks before weaning/housing/sale. At the same time, a single or 2 dose program of an IBR live intra-muscular injection given 2-4 weeks before weaning/housing/sale.
Option 2: If there is more time before risk period or where a broader coverage including bacteria is required. This is given as follows: a first subcutaneous injection of RSV, Pi3 and Mannhaemia haemolytica dead, 6 to 8 weeks before weaning/housing/sale.
A second subcutaneous injection of RSV, Pi3 and Mannhaemia haemolytica dead, 2-4 weeks before weaning/housing/sale. At the same time as the second injection, a Single IBR live intra-muscular, 2-4 weeks before weaning/housing/sale.
Optional Action 3:
Faecal Egg Testing is targeted at the control of liver and rumen fluke in adult suckler cows. All faecal samples collected must be fresh. Cows should be placed in a clean pen. Leave them undisturbed until such time that a number of faecal deposits have been observed. If you have ten eligible cows, all must be sampled; if you have 5 eligible cows, you still must submit 10 samples as the lab cannot otherwise verify that you have met the conditions of scheme. Collect faecal samples from at least 10 different fresh faecal deposits and place them in 10 separate containers. Place all filled containers of faeces in the plastic zip lock bag provided. Post samples as soon as possible. Samples will be pooled together and tested by the lab. One set of results will be subsequently notified to the participant by their chosen laboratory. Cows should be dosed based on the result of the FEC result. Samples must be taken and submitted to approved laboratories before 03 October 2022.
Dairy Beef Scheme:
The objective of the Dairy-Beef Calf Programme is to increase the economic and environmental efficiency of the beef calf from the dairy herd.
Calves eligible for this Scheme is a calf born between 1st July 2021 and 30th June 2022. The calf must be a male calf of a dairy breed, and/or a male or female calf sired by a beef breed sire born to a dairy breed dam. There is only one action required under this scheme. The calf being weighed must be on the farm for a minimum of 10 days prior to the date of weighing. Participants must weigh a minimum of five eligible calves and submit weights to ICBF. All weights should be submitted within 7 days of weighing and no later than the 1st November 2022 either online via ICBF or by post.