Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, confirmed that over €4.73 million in payments has been issued to 7,612 farmers participating in the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme for the first year of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP). The scheme, aimed at improving the health and welfare of the national dairy herd, rewards dairy farmers for using genetically superior beef sires, thereby supporting the integration of beef and dairy herds in Ireland.
The payments, which amount to €20 per eligible calf (with a cap of 50 calves per herd), are tied to calves born between January 1 and December 31, 2024. The total scheme budget is €25 million over four years.
Minister Heydon emphasized the importance of the scheme in boosting the dairy-beef sector. “Its success in the first year demonstrates farmers’ recognition of the benefits of integrating beef and dairy herds,” he stated.
Farmers who applied in 2024 will not need to reapply for the next round of payments, which will continue automatically in 2025.
For further assistance, participants can contact the Direct Payments Helpline at 057-8674422 or email [email protected].
The CAP Strategic Plan is co-funded by the EU and the Irish Government and runs from 2023-2027. The goal is to ensure a stable food supply, support farmers’ income, and protect rural areas while promoting environmental sustainability.
County Breakdown of Payments:
- Cork: €1,296,308 (2056 participants)
- Tipp: €534,823 (800 participants)
- Limerick: €316,024 (511 participants)
- Kilkenny: €244,970 (375 participants)
… and others across Ireland, totaling €4,732,724.
Inquisitive cows Picture on Wikimedia by Richard Croft
