Farmers in Northern Ireland are being reminded of the upcoming deadline to apply for the Year 1 payment under the Suckler Cow Scheme.
The scheme aims to improve breeding management practices through reducing the age at first calving and shorter calving intervals over a four-year period.
The Suckler Cow Scheme forms part of the Beef Sustainability Package within the Sustainable Agriculture Programme.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the Beef Sustainability Package can deliver 25% of the greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from agriculture by 2027, if the uptake levels and targets of schemes within the package are met.
Suckler Cow Scheme
DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir urged eligible farmers to opt in for the Suckler Cow Scheme as the end of Year 1 deadline nears.
“I strongly encourage all farm businesses who have yet to opt in to the Suckler Cow Scheme to do so by March 31, to secure payment for animals eligible during the period April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
“My department stands ready to provide information and support about the scheme or the opt-in process,” he said.
“This scheme plays an important role in supporting our farm businesses on a journey of change, ensuring both environmental and economic sustainability,” the minister added.
Farmers
DAERA said that to date just over 2,000 eligible farm businesses have yet to opt in to the scheme.
To be eligible, farm businesses with suckler cows must have claimed and be eligible for the Farm Sustainability Transition Payment in 2025.
A payment rate of £100 will be made for each eligible calving event.
Payments are capped at a maximum of 222,000 calving events per scheme year.
Eligible farm businesses need only opt in once to participate in the Suckler Cow Scheme.
However, a business must have opted in between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026 to receive payment for the first year of the scheme.
If farm businesses opt in and do not have any eligible calving events in that scheme year, the department said that no penalties will apply.
