In a document circulated to TDs this week, some of the key questions and answers on the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, including on penalties and downgrading of animals have been summarised.
What is it?
The scheme puts some €300 million into the suckler sector with the aim of improving the genetic merit and productive efficiency of each herd, which ultimately results in better and more profitable animals on each farm.
Why introduce something so new and complicated?
Some 30,000 farmers are already undertaking many of the tasks that are required under the scheme, such as genotyping animals and recording data on their farms. The only really new element is the requirement to introduce 4/5 star animals.
There is also
- a one-off training course for which the farmer will receives an additional and separate payment and
- the completion of a carbon navigator which will be done by an advisor, the cost of which is covered separately by the Department of Agriculture.
Even if it’s not all new, the 4/5 star requirement seems like a really onerous addition?
There is a requirement to introduce a 4/5 star bull and 4/5 star heifers into herds – this is so the scheme has a meaningful impact on the ground by resulting in animals with more milk and better calving rates etc., while retaining all the gains made in other areas such as carcase conformation.
Research shows that there are more than enough animals available to meet the needs of the scheme and the requirements are phased in over 4 or 5 years. Indeed, most farmers already meet the bull requirement and many are well on the way to meeting the heifer requirement.
But how do I know if I have enough 4/5 star animals or if I will be able to get them?
Every applicant will be informed on a regular basis of the type of animals they have on his/her farm and the numbers they need to retain or purchase. In addition to receiving training, applicants will have continuous access to advice from ICBF and information about improving their breeding practices
What if I buy a bull or heifer that is 4/5 star and is subsequently downgraded?
Once it was 4/5 star at the time of purchase, an animal will continue to be eligible.
I farm on marginal type land and I’ve heard that these 4/5 star heifers are not suitable for my farm?
This is not true. If anything, 4/5 star maternal heifers are better suited to marginal type land as they are typically lighter, more robust and more efficient animals ideally suited to such ground.
Is the level of genotyping excessive?
As with the current scheme, applicants will be required to genotype animals on their farms. The number of animals to be genotyped increases to 60%, which will mainly be the female calves born on the herd each year. While the numbers have gone up, the percentage of the payment allocated to genotyping remains the same at about 15%.
Why move this to a six-year scheme?
This is a positive element of the scheme as it guarantees a substantial payment to each farmer for six years and allows them to plan accordingly. It is a significant commitment from this Government to the beef sector. This is not new either; all agri-environmental schemes must be at least five years in duration, and farmers are familiar with multi-annual schemes such as GLAS and REPS where the same types of conditions apply.
But what if I have to leave the scheme before the end of six years – will it be very costly?
Farmers do not have to repay the funding received where they leave the scheme for circumstances beyond their control e.g. due to illness or accident. There are also provisions for any applicant who wishes to transfer his/her farm to another family member – they will have the option to remain in the scheme or withdraw without recoupment.
I’ve heard that the penalty regime is very restrictive and I could end up repaying lots of money to the Department?
No applicant will be asked to return funding for minor non-compliance. There are tolerances applied to each of the scheme requirements. For example,
- if you send in at least 95% of the required information for the data recording requirement, you receive the full payment associated with that requirement;
- if you send in 70% of the data required, you will receive 70% of the payment associated with data recording, and you will still be eligible for full payment for all of the other actions;
- it is only in the case of submitting less than 60% of the required data that you don’t receive that element of the payment, and even in that case no additional penalties apply.
Should the deadline for applications to the scheme be extended?
The application period is linked in with the provisions for other land-based schemes and, more importantly, ensures that payments can be made to farmers under this scheme this year.
(Source – Irish Farmers Journal – 20/05/2015)
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