Under the SCEP terms and conditions, participants are required to complete the mandatory online training course.
An online training course for participants in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) has been launched.
Under the SCEP terms and conditions, participants are required to complete the mandatory online training course on programme actions and animal handling by November 15, 2024.
The course consists of a brief explainer video and seven online course modules.
The course is accessible online using the pin number provided in the information letter being issued by post by the Department of Agriculture over the coming days.
This will also be accessible through the AgFood accounts of SCEP participants.
The department is reminding farmers that they do need a valid email address to gain access to the training material.
The course is focused on the SCEP actions that farmers must undertake as part of the programme – breeding strategies, genotyping, weighing and calving surveys – and also includes a module on farm safety and livestock handling.
Letters issuing to farmers
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said that the letter issuing to all SCEP participants provides all the information necessary to log on to the website.
“The course can be completed in stages and there are support facilities available for anyone encountering difficulties getting started on their training,” Mr McConalogue said.
“The big advantage of online training is its flexibility enabling busy farmers to proceed at their own pace and in their own time on whatever electronic device is convenient for them and they can revisit the material whenever they want.”
A professional e-learning company was engaged to create and configure an interactive experience tailored to the department’s requirements and the needs of SCEP participants. The training material has been devised by the department with the assistance of Teagasc, the ICBF and other beef sector experts.
Focused on SCEP actions
The course is focused on the SCEP actions that farmers must undertake as part of the programme – breeding strategies, genotyping, weighing and calving surveys – and also includes a module on farm safety and livestock handling.
Minister McConalogue urged all farmers to engage with the training as soon as possible.
“The training is laid out in a very user-friendly format: it is easy to navigate, and key information is conveyed effectively in relatively short modules,” according to the minister.
“There are some interesting demonstration videos on the programme’s core actions which, I think, will be of particular interest and relevance to farmers.
“A module on farm safety is included because we can never lose sight of the challenges that farming poses to health and wellbeing. If we aware of the risks, we can take action to mitigate them.”
Failure to complete the course by November 15 will render participants ineligible to remain in the programme and monies received will have to be repaid.
Concern
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association has said it is concerned by the department’s decision to offer only online training to SCEP participants given the older age demographic of suckler farmers.
ICSA suckler chairman Jimmy Cosgrave said that many of these farmers “may not have reliable internet access or have the necessary computer skills to navigate complex online platforms”.
“The focus should be on ensuring as many farmers as possible can benefit from the scheme rather than putting barriers in place,” Mr Cosgrave said.
“The SCEP scheme is vital for the sustainability of the suckler sector and provides much-needed financial support for our suckler farmers, the majority of whom are older and operate with extremely low incomes”.
“By offering online training only, however, we risk excluding those who need this scheme the most.
“The onus is on the minister to ensure no farmer gets left behind, and the only way to ensure that is to provide an option to complete this training in person for those that need it.”
(Source – Irish Examiner – Farming – Kathleen O Sullivan – 30/04/2024)