Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food
Animal Welfare, Recording
and Breeding Scheme for
Suckler Herds
‘Suckler Welfare Scheme’
New Scheme – 100% National funding
Five years (2008-2012)
Suckler herd a major source of quality beef
production
Overall aim to improve quality of animals
produced from suckler herd
Complete 7 Measures to receive €80 per cow
Major tie in with ICBF
Who are ICBF?
Irish Cattle Breeding Federation
Represent all stakeholders-AI companies,
Breed Societies & Farmers
Aim is to improve genetic quality of Irish
cattle with particular emphasis on welfare
related traits
Scheme will improve data flow into ICBF
from more herds to make more rapid
progress in breeding
Many long term breeding benefits from
Scheme
What is the Link
between Breeding and Welfare?
Event Recording provides
information on:
-
The Sire and Dam of the calf
Live or dead calf at birth
The calving ease
The weaning weight
Docility or temperament
What is the Link
between Breeding and Welfare?
From the Event Data ICBF can
identify:
- Easy calving bulls
- Bulls with good maternal calving
characteristics including docility
- Bulls with good growth characteristics
- Replacement Suckler Cows with good
maternal and growth characteristics
Seven Measures
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Calf tagging and registration
Disbudding
Castration – not compulsory
Minimum calving age
Weaning procedure
Animal Events
Training – by end of year 2.
Measures 1 and 6 covered by
Teagasc
(Record keeping and Animal
Events recording)
Measure 2 – Disbudding
- within 3 weeks
- need local anaesthetic if after 2 weeks
- late eruptors and polled animals are
exceptions
Measure 3 – Castration
- not compulsory
- avoid weaning time ie not within 4 weeks
prior to, or two weeks after weaning
Measure 4- Minimum Calving age
-
Average age of 24 months for heifers
Heifer calving at less than 22 months not
eligible for payment
Measure 5 –Weaning procedure
-
Meal feeding 4 weeks before, and 2
weeks after weaning
1kg per calf per day
Graduated weaning ie no abrupt weaning
Herds over ten cows – wean in a
minimum of 2 groups
Calf cannot be sold until two weeks after
weaning
Measure 7 – Training & Education
- to be completed by end of year 2
- will cover paperwork elements
- practical demonstration to cover topics
relevent to suckler cow production and
breeding
- Training on welfare aspects
- Demonstration of ICBF services and
Breeding indexes
Payment

When all the measures have been fulfilled

Start in September 2008
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DAFF will keep paying every month

2 weeks after weaning date - earliest
payment date
Inspections
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1% inspections
They will piggy-back as far as possible on
SPS/DAS inspections.
Penalties for non-compliance will use the
same weighting system as SPS/DAS
inspections
Applying for the Scheme

Pre-printed forms gone out

Closing date is 31st March 2008

Get the form in before the cows start
calving

Blank forms in local offices & website
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If you have sucklers in 2008 and don’t
apply, you won’t be allowed in later.
Help with the paperwork


Critical in year 1 that farmer understands
how to complete forms
Teagasc & Dept staff will be available for
one-to-one consultations in local offices
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We will advertise these locally
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Lo-call Number 1890 252 707.
Some FAQ’s

Accurate Registration and completion of
forms through Animal Events

Mixed herds can apply on suckler cows
only
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Limit for payment is 100 cows, but all
cows (plus any bought in calves) over this
to be managed as per Scheme
Pedigree bull or cow not necessary

Only new entrants can apply from year 2

Can withdraw after weaning –no clawback
Cow numbers can vary each year

Cows and her calf bought in – not eligible
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Bought in cow – eligible if she calves in herd
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If calf dies at birth – eligible, provided calf is
registered properly

If cow dies, eligible provided she calved
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Training designed to help farmer to comply
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A Further Option for Suckler Farmers?
-
Conventional suckler cow systems
have become closer to the
requirements of organic production
- lower stocking densities
- lesser dependence on artificial
fertilisers
Expanding market for organic
products
-
Increased supports for organic
operators
Thank you
Paul Dillon