SCEP – The New 5 Year Suckler Scheme
Type Media Article
Alan Nolan, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinrobe
The new Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) is now open for applications. The new scheme replaces the BDGP scheme which was in place since 2015. All suckler farmers whether they were in the BDGP or not are now eligible to apply for this new scheme. The objective of the scheme is to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. It is a 5 year scheme. So farmers wishing to join must remain in suckling for 5 years.
SCEP Reference Number
A farmer applying will be given a Scheme Reference number. This will be based on the average number of cows calved in the three best years from 2016-2021. A farmer can never go above this number but there is some flexibility built into the scheme which will allow farmers to reduce their reference figure by 20% each year, if they are struggling to reach some of the targets in the mandatory actions.
Key Eligibility Requirements
Farmers wishing to join the scheme must be a member of SBLAS, the Bord Bia Quality Assurance scheme by 16th Oct 2023 and must remain a member of SBLAS for the 5 year duration of SCEP. You must submit a BISS application each year. Participants in the scheme must also calve down at least 50% of their yearly reference number annually. There is also a requirement to attend a SCEP training course and an animal handling course by 15th November 2024.
Payment Rates
As SCEP is an environmental scheme it is paid on a per hectare basis. Farmers in the scheme will be paid €225/ha on the first 15 hectares and €180/ha on the remaining hectares. This works out at a payment of €150 per cow on the first 22 cows and €120 per cow on the remaining cows. For a farmer with a reference number of 20 this works out at a payment of €3000 per annum over the 5 years, minus the cost of genotyping.
Mandatory Actions
The scheme is built around five mandatory actions. It is important farmers are aware of these actions before joining the scheme and what the targets for each action is over the 5 year period of the scheme.
Action 1 (Eligible Bull / Eligible AI): In years 1 & 2 80% of the yearly reference calves born must have being sired by a 4 or 5 star genotyped bull, either stockbull or AI. In years 3 & 4 this increases to 85% and in year 5 this target increases to 90%.
Action 2 (Female Replacement Strategy): Applicants must ensure that by the 31st October 2023 at least 50% of their yearly reference number are eligible females that are genotyped either 4 or 5 star on the replacement index. This increases to 65% by 31st October 2025 and increases further to 75% by 31st Oct 2027. Eligible females must be at least 16 months of age.
Action 3 (Genotyping): Applicants must genotype 70% of their yearly reference number each year e.g. an applicant with a reference number of 20 must genotype 14 animals. Genotyping will cost €20 per sample. Genomic samples must be submitted by 30th November each year.
Action 4 (Weighing and Submission of Weights to ICBF): In this action farmers must weigh at least 80% of the calves born on their farm along with their dams. Similar to the old BEEP-S scheme calves must be weighed with its dam on the same day. Calves must be unweaned and a minimum of 50 days at weighing. All weights must be submitted by the 1st November annually.
Action 5 (Calving Details and Surveys): Similar to BDGP applicants will be required to complete a range of survey forms collecting data relating to calving details and calf and cow traits throughout the year. To complete this action fully, calves born in the herd must be kept on the farm till they are at least 5 months of age.
So there are a good number of requirements that farmers must reach over the duration of the scheme. As it is a 5 year scheme farmers need to plan ahead. Do you intend to remain in suckling for 5 years? If the answer is no, then this scheme maybe not for you. But, if you are committed to remain in suckling you need to strongly consider joining this scheme. Given the current high costs and low margins in suckling these payments are too much to leave behind.
If you want to join you must apply online at Agfood.ie by the Closing Date of 22nd May 2023. You can apply yourself or you can get your advisor to apply on your behalf. If you require further information contact your nearest Teagasc Office.