These payments, under Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Sucklers (BEEP-
S) and Dairy-Beef, build on the range of support schemes available for beef farmers.
The BEEP-S scheme helps to increase economic and environmental efficiency in the
suckler herd though improvement in the quantity and quality of performance data
collected, with a view to supporting the adoption of best practice and more informed
decision making at farm level.
The Dairy-Beef Scheme helps to increase the economic and environmental efficiency of
beef from the dairy herd, and to facilitate further the integration of the dairy and beef
sectors by providing support for farmers who are rearing progeny from the dairy herd.
The BEEP-S programme targeted the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves,
measuring the live weight of the calf at weaning as a percentage of the cow's live
weight. In recognition of the important role of animal health and welfare issues,
participants were also encouraged to implement a number of optional health and
welfare measures including pre-weaning meal feeding, vaccination programmes and
fecal testing. The core action for Dairy-Beef Scheme was the weighing of eligible calves
for which there was a payment of €20 per calf up to a maximum of 20 calves.
The importance of payments under these schemes for the beef sector and the
processing of such payments at the earliest possible opportunity remains is a key
priority and underlines the Departments ongoing commitment to the beef and suckler
sectors.