Beef Welfare Scheme open for applications
Type Media Article
Enda Maloney, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Westport
Over the next few weeks suckler farmers will be turning their attention towards the preparation of calves for weaning. Weaning can be a stressful time for calves as they experience big changes in both their environment and diet. We want the weaning process to run as smoothly as possible to minimise any health issues or effects on animal performance.
Recently the Minister launched the New Beef Welfare Scheme for 2024 which will help with the costs associated with meal feeding of weanlings and health issues that may arise around weaning time. It’s a one year programme with a budget of €20 million. Online applications opened on the 8th of August and the Closing Date is 24th of September. Farmers may apply under their own individual Agfood or through an approved FAS advisor.
All suckler calves born in the herd of the applicant between 01 July 2023 and 30 June 2024 are eligible but they must be of a beef breed, i.e. born out of an eligible beef bred suckler cow and sired by a beef breed bull. The applicant must have submitted a BISS application in 2024 also.
The requirements of the scheme are as follows:
- Action 1 - Meal Feeding pre-weaning and post-weaning is a mandatory
- Action 2 - Vaccination is an optional action which participants must select at application stage to be eligible for payment under this action.
Action 1 – Meal feeding pre-weaning and post-weaning (Mandatory Action)
Farmers must 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. Calves must be supplemented with compound feeding stuffs containing appropriate minerals and vitamins. The rate of payment is €35 per calf for a maximum of 40 calves. The recommended daily feeding amounts for meal is 1kg per day pre weaning and 2 kg per animal per day for 2 weeks post weaning.
Action 2 – Vaccination (Optional)
The participant or their FAS advisor acting on their behalf must select this action at application stage if they wish to be considered eligible for payment. If this action is selected participants must implement a vaccination programme against clostridial diseases and / OR calf pneumonia in suckler calves and record details of the vaccination. The maximum payment for this action is €15 per calf for a maximum of 40 calves, regardless of whether the calf is vaccinated for one or both diseases.
Clostridial Vaccination
Clostridial disease is an umbrella term which covers a range of bacterial diseases including blackleg, pulp kidney, braxy, tetanus, malignant oedema. Clostridia diseases can affect animals at all ages depending on the strain but cattle between three and twelve months of age are at the highest risk.
Clostridial vaccines is combination vaccine covering a range of clostridial diseases with a primary course of two injection of 2ml doses given 4 – 6 weeks apart. Calves can be vaccinated from two weeks of age.
Pneumonia Vaccination
Pneumonia is one of the most common causes of death in cattle of all ages over one month old. High-risk periods occur when animals are stressed such as mixing of groups and after weaning off milk in unfavourable or changeable weather conditions.
Calves can be vaccinated from two weeks of age and vaccinating calves before they get pneumonia can be a very effective way of controlling disease.
Vaccinations help reduce the probability of disease but cannot solely be depended upon for prevention. The management system pre-weaning and post-weaning will assist the successful outcomes of a bovine respiratory disease vaccination programme.
Farmers should select the most appropriate product for their holding and it is advised that participants should consult with their veterinary surgeon for the most suitable vaccination programme for their specific farm. A record must be kept by each participant in this option of the purchase and use of vaccines.
All applicants accepted into the Scheme must maintain a record of all compliance actions. All associated documents must be retained such as receipts for meal purchased and receipts for vaccines purchased. Participants notified of administrative checks will be required to submit such records.