The €40m Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Sucklers (BEEP–S) scheme for 2021 has opened for applications.
Those interested are asked to lodge applications for the scheme through Department of Agriculture’s website before the closing date which has been set for Monday April 26.
The BEEP-S scheme – which comes under the new Beef Sector Efficiency Pilot for 2021 – has a funding provision of €40m for this year and targets the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves by measuring the live weight of the calf at weaning as a percentage of the cow's live weight.
The Department said that in recognition of the “crucial role” of animal health and welfare in economic and environmental efficiency, applicants to the scheme can also select from a number of “optional” health and welfare measures including meal feeding or vaccination of weanlings and/or faecal egg testing of suckler cows.