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Dublin, August 13, 2025 — Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has officially opened applications for the 2025 Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS), a €28 million initiative aimed at enhancing animal welfare and supporting economic sustainability in Ireland’s suckler beef sector.
The scheme represents a significant increase in funding compared to 2024, with expanded eligibility and new optional measures designed to improve calf performance and herd efficiency.
“This year’s scheme offers farmers a wider range of straightforward measures and raises the upper limit on eligible animals,” Minister Heydon stated. “These practical steps are aimed at optimising animal performance throughout its lifetime.”
📋 Scheme Overview
The BWS provides financial support to suckler farmers who undertake specific welfare-enhancing actions for calves born between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025. Applications must be submitted online via Agfood.ie by 24 September 2025, with no provision for late submissions. Payments for validated applications will begin in December 2025.
✅ Mandatory and Optional Actions
| Action | Type | Payment per Calf | Max Eligible Calves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal Feeding (pre/post-weaning) | Mandatory | €35 | 45 |
| Vaccination (clostridial/pneumonia) | Optional | €15 | Up to 45 |
| Faecal or Forage Testing | Optional | €25 | Based on meal-fed count |
Farmers must indicate their chosen actions at the time of application. They may select fewer animals for optional actions than for mandatory meal feeding. If the scheme is oversubscribed, the Department may reduce the number of animals eligible for payment under one or more actions.
🌱 Combined Support with SCEP
Participants in both the BWS and the five-year Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) can earn up to €225 per cow/calf pair for the first 22 pairs in a herd. This dual participation is encouraged to maximize support and promote sustainable beef production.
🧾 Compliance and Record-Keeping
Farmers are advised to retain receipts for meal feeding, vaccinations, and testing. These records may be requested by the Department to facilitate payment processing. Participants in the Parasite Control Consult under the Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH) should avoid selecting the faecal count option in the BWS to prevent duplication.
🗣️ Ministerial Commitment
“This scheme reaffirms the Government’s ongoing support for the suckler sector,” Minister Heydon concluded. “Coupled with the SCEP, these targeted supports will help safeguard the future of suckler beef production.”
For full terms and conditions, including details on penalties for non-compliance, visit the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s official website.
WFP-Picture-Martin-Heydon-Irl-Mnstr-for-Agric-and-WFP-Director-Cindy-Mccain-by-Rein-Skullerud
