Latest news with #SucklerCarbonEfficiencyProgramme
Agriland
4 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
4,600 herds, 85,700 cows gone from SCEP since inception
Agriland can reveal 4,600 herds and 85,700 cows have gone from SCEP since its inception. The Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) has been subject to criticism from farm lobby groups and suckler farmers since it was initially rolled out. Many farmers expressed frustration at what they said was "overly onerous" criteria required to be eligible for the scheme, and figures obtained by Agriland show there has been a drop-out rate of over 20%. The table below outlines some of the key details on the number of herds and cows in the SCEP: Number of herds eligible for payment Yearly reference number (Number of cows) Number of applications: 20,864 497,094 Year 1 (2023) 16,995 428,042 Year 2 (2024) 15,985 405,274 Herds remaining in SCEP as of July 28, 2025 16,241 411,409 Responding to a query from Agriland on the number of cows and herds entered in SCEP over each of the scheme years, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) said: "The number of herds who applied to participate in SCEP during the opening period for applications between March 20, 2023 and the late closing period for applications on June 16, 2023 was 20,864 herds, equating to a yearly reference number of 497,094." Since commencement of the scheme in March 2023: 3,275 farmers have been removed from SCEP; A further 1,348 participants have opted to withdraw themselves. The main reasons participants were removed from the programme include: Failing to calve down a minimum of 50% of their yearly reference number within the scheme year (circa 38%); Failing to apply for Bord Bia/having continued participation in Bord Bia (circa 52%). The balance of approximately 10% are comprised of participants who failed to submit a Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application in either 2023, 2024, or 2025 and/or participants who failed three out of four of the scheme actions, as well as those who failed to complete the SCEP training by the required deadline. A total of 16,995 herds were eligible for payment in respect of scheme year 1 (2023), equating to a yearly reference number of 428,042. 15,985 herds were eligible for payment in respect of scheme year 2 (2024), equating to a yearly reference number of 405,274. "As herds become eligible for payment, they will be picked up for payment on subsequent payment runs," according to DAFM. As of July 28, 2025, there are currently 16,241 participants remaining in SCEP, with a yearly reference number of 411,409.
Agriland
31-07-2025
- General
- Agriland
Reminder: Weighing suckler pairs for the SCEP
Year four of the five-year Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) started on July 1, and weighing cow-calf pars is a core action of this scheme, making up 20% of the yearly farmer payment. The deadline to submit SCEP weights in the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) database is 5:30pm on November 1, annually. Weights must be submitted within seven days of recording. The requirement is to weigh the cow and calf on the same day, for which the calf must be over 50 days-of-age and not yet weaned from its dam. The ideal time to weigh is when the majority of calves are in the 5 to 8-month stage. Calves should be weighed before they are weaned. SCEP participants must weigh at least 80% of eligible animals born on the holding of the yearly reference number in each scheme year and their dams and submit these weights to the ICBF. The table below details the optimum time to weigh weanlings, according to the ICBF: Weanlings born between Recommended time to weigh July 1 - September 30, 2024 January 1 - March 31, 2025 October 1 - December 31, 2024 March 1 - June 30, 2025 January 1 - March 31, 2025 June 1 - August 30, 2025 April 1 - June 30, 2025 September 1 - October 31, 2025 Source: ICBF According to the rules and regulations of the scheme, each live calf must be un-weaned and weighed with its dam on the applicants' holding on the same day. Where a calf dies before 5 months-of-age or its dam, this must be recorded on the Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) and the 80% does not include such a pair. All calves being submitted for weighing must be in the ownership and possession of the applicant since birth and maintained on the holding. Only registered scales used in accordance with the requirements of the scheme may be used for the purpose of this programme. Scales can be rented through 100 depots spread across the country in co-ops, marts, and FRS offices. Scales rented through the Cattle Weighing Scales Rental Service are automatically linked to a farmers' herd.
Agriland
23-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Average family income on cattle-rearing farms revealed
In 2024, the output value on cattle-rearing farms increased due to higher cattle prices, the latest National Farm Survey (NFS) from economists at Teagasc has revealed. The results of the survey were released today (June 23), with approximately 15,675 cattle rearing farms represented in the survey. According to the NFS, the average family farm income (FFI) on cattle rearing farms was €13,547, up 93% year-on-year. The survey found that suckler cow production is the dominant enterprise on these farms. The table below outlines the different components in FFI on cattle rearing farms in 2024: Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey Teagasc believes that lower production costs contributed to the improved economic performance on these farms. Participation in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS), and Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) also helped to underpin the improvement in incomes. The table below outlines the average indicators on cattle rearing farms in 2024: Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey On individual cost items, expenditure on fertiliser declined by 30% to €2,352 on average. The data indicates that there has been some increase in usage on a per hectare basis. The NFS found that spending on bulky feed declined, while expenditure on concentrates at €4,131 remained relatively stable compared to 2023. Contracting expenditure increased by 9% to €4,466 on average, livestock and veterinary costs remained generally stable at €2,368, while other costs increased by 7% to €1,827. According to the survey, overhead costs on the average cattle-rearing farm fell in 2024 to €18,937. The table below outlines the distribution in cattle-rearing FFI between 2022 and 2024. Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey Teagasc noted that on 48% of cattle-rearing farms, the holder also worked off-farm in 2024. Cattle other Elsewhere, there were approximately 35,823 'cattle other' farms represented in the survey in 2024, with an average income of €18,101. This represents a 32% increase on the 2023 level. Cattle finishing is the dominant enterprise on these farms. Teagasc found that the average output value per cattle other farm was relatively unchanged in 2024 at €61,387, due to a reduction in production value. The table below outlines the different components in FFI on 'cattle other' farms in 2024: Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey The NFS found that the proportion of farms reporting an FFI below €5,000 decreased to 20%, down 21 percentage points compared to 2023. The proportion of 'cattle other' farms with an FFI of between €5,000 and €10,000 increased by 11 percentage points to 25%. Meanwhile, farms reporting an FFI of between €10,000 and €20,000 increased from 19% to 25% year-on-year, and the proportion reporting income in the €20,000 to €50,000 category increased to 23% in 2024. There was a four percentage point increase in the proportion of 'cattle other' farms earning more than €50,000, at 8%, on average in 2024. As in other farm systems in 2024, total costs declined on cattle other farms compared to 2023, with a reduction in both direct and overhead costs. On average, production costs declined by 8%, and overhead costs declined by 14%. Spending on fertiliser declined by 24% to €3,208 on average, while nitrogen usage was down compared to 2023. Contracting related costs increased by 14% year-on-year to €4,825, on average. Expenditure relating to livestock and veterinary averaged €2,384, down slightly on the 2023 level. The table below outlines the concentrate feed use per livestock unit on 'cattle other' farms in 2024: Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey The average utilised agricultural area on 'cattle other' farms in 2024 was 32ha. Livestock numbers were also down, by 5%, while the gross margin per hectare increased by 6% in 2024 to €1,193. In terms of the overall population of 'cattle other' farms, approximately 3%of farms fall into the greater than 100ha size category, with 12% in the 50-100ha bracket, and a further 19% in the 30-50ha category. According to Teagasc, about 21% of 'cattle other' farms were in the 20-30ha category, with the remaining 44% comprising farms of less than 20ha. Teagasc noted that 56% of 'cattle other' farm holders also worked off farm in 2024.
Agriland
24-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
DAFM: Almost €11m issued in scheme payments this week
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) issued almost €11 million in various scheme payments to farmers this week. The latest data, published by the department, shows that €5.87 million was paid out to farmers under the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) 2024. This brings the total paid out to 15,985 farmers in the scheme to €53.67 million. DAFM The department also issued over €2 million to farmers this week under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS). €2.1 million was paid to farmers in TAMS 3, while an additional €155,000 was paid out for TAMS 2 claims. Around €66.8 million has now been paid out under TAMS 3 across 7,627 claims. There has been 28,548 TAMS 3 applications approved with over 9,530 payment claims submitted. There was a further €1.9 million paid to farmers in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES). These payments bring the amount paid to farmers for ACRES to almost €491.8 million since the agri-environmental scheme commenced in January 2023. Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine The latest update also shows that a further €532,000 was paid for the 2024 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and Complimentary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS). This brings the total paid out to 119,476 farmers under these measures to €845.7 million. This figure includes the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF) at €38.2 million and the National Reserve (€3.2 million). An additional €114,000 was issued this week by the department to farmers under the 2024 Eco Scheme. €51,750 was paid out for the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) and Areas of Specific Constraint (ASC). The department issued over €62,800 to farmers participating in the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), bringing the total payout to €57.1 million to 4,750 farmers. Some €53,600 was also paid out under the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) and €39,000 for the Baling Assistance Payment (BAP).
Agriland
16-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Parthenaise society sale takes place online this weekend
The Irish Parthenaise Cattle Society is running an online sale this weekend in conjunction with MartEye and Denis Barrett Auctions. The timed auction went live on MartEye under Denis Barrett Auctions at 12:00 midday today (Friday, May 16) and the lots in the timed auction will draw to a close on Monday, (May 19) at 8:00p.m. Speaking to Agriland ahead of the sale, Ronan Carroll – who is a Parthenaise Society council member and one of the sale organisers as well as the owner of the Co. Westmeath-based Moyvoughley Parthenaise herd – said the sale will feature a total of '11 top-class pedigree registered Parthenaise heifers, two of which are in-calf and are due to calve later this year'. The sale will also feature seven pedigree-registered Parthenaise bulls, 'all of which are eligible for the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP)' , according to Carroll. Cattle from Parthenaise breeders located in counties Westmeath, Wexford, Offaly, Galway and Clare are on offer in the sale. Carroll said he encouraged interested buyers to submit a request to bid through the MartEye platform. 'This is a great opportunity to buy some super Parthenaise cattle,' he added. Parthenaise According to the Co. Westmeath-based breed enthusiast, Parthenaise cattle 'offer super confirmation, high kill out, easy-calving, and are a great choice for either pedigree or commercial options'. The cattle breed society's website stated: 'Those already using Parthenaise bulls are seeing the improvement in their herds with easier calving, more live, healthy animals with good growth and conformation achieving top prices for export or in the factories. 'The experience in Ireland of finishing crossbred cattle is that they kill out extremely well, with over 80% grading U or better with high kill-out % and high yield of saleable meat.' According to the society, Parthenaise Cattle are distinguished by the following traits: Double muscle; High fertility; Ease of calving; Excellent growth; Efficient conversion; High kill-out %; High dressing %; Tender lean meat; Attractive cattle. The website goes on to claim that the 'major advantage of breeding heavily-muscled Parthenaise is to produce expensive cuts of high-quality meat with very little fat and high meat to bone ratio.' The association says that crossbreds sell at a premium with excellent conformation in the high-value carcass areas. 'The Parthenaise are an attractive breed with pronounced pigmentation and hard black feet,' the association said. 'They have great mobility and thriftiness, and are one of the oldest beef breeds in France where they are used to produce lean meat. 'Carcasses produce high yields of excellent quality meat, the result of good conformation and fine bone. Since killing out percentages can be over 66%, with saleable meat yield in excess of 80%, cattle offered make very-high prices. 'Cows and bulls sold in Ireland have achieved premium prices and a large percentage have achieved E grades.'
