There have been a number of queries regarding weight recording for the new Beef Environment Efficiency Programme – Suckler (BEEP-S). The queries have generally come from farmers who have late summer- or autumn-born calves which they wish to now wean or get weighed before turnout.

Weights can be recorded through a farmer’s ICBF account. The username is generally a farmer’s herd designator (IE number) or herd number.

If your password is unknown, there are three ways to redeem it. If your mobile is registered with the ICBF, text PASS to 089-457 7663 and it will be sent to your mobile. Alternatively, email query@icbf.com or phone 023-882 0452 during office hours.

Once logged in, the BEEP-S weight recording portal can be accessed through the services tab along the top. Weights can be recorded directly into the database or a hardcopy application can be downloaded, printed and posted to the ICBF following completion if required.

Farmers who have not already applied to the scheme should note that the closing date will remain 15 May 2020. Applications must be completed through the Department’s agfood facility by you or an agent acting on your behalf.

BEEP-S offers an opportunity to receive up to €80 to €90 per cow-calf pair in return for completing a number of actions. Calves born between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020 are eligible for payment. The weight recording element is mandatory and a cow-calf pair will not receive payment on other actions if this is not completed.

The first 10 cow-calf pairs will be paid €50 for weights recorded, while payment on the next 50 cows is set at €40 up to a maximum of 100 cows.

Animals must be weighed before weaning, with weights submitted within seven days. Weights must be submitted between 1 January 2020 and 1 November 2020.

There are two optional actions and participants must select from one of these or they can also opt to select them both. The first option also offers two options – meal feeding pre- and post-weaning or vaccination.

The meal feeding action includes feeding meals for a period of four weeks pre-weaning and two weeks post-weaning. The vaccination option includes putting a programme in place to prevent respiratory diseases in suckler calves. Payment is €30 per eligible cow-calf pair.

The second option is faecal egg testing targeted at the control of liver and rumen fluke in adult cows. It requires samples to be taken from 10 animals and submitted to approved laboratories before 1 November 2020.

Participants should be careful when deciding on which options to select, as failure to complete either selected option under action two will result in non-payment for that action and an administrative penalty of 50% of the value of the payment that would have been made under the action being applied.