572 Kilkenny farmers share €1.3m under scheme
Some 572 herd farmers in Kilkenny shared €1,366,290 in payments under a major efficiency programme.
It is part an overall €40.4 million in payments made to more than 24,400 farmers across the country under the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Suckler (BEEP-S).
Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan welcomed the payments to local farmers. Dpeuty Phelan said: “I am delighted to confirm that payments have now commenced under BEEP-S, building on the range of support schemes available for beef farmers and that there will be no need for a linear cut to the payment rates.
“The BEEP-S helps to increase economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd through improvement in the quantity and quality of performance data collected, with a view to supporting the adoption of best practice and more informed decision making at farm level,” Deputy Phelan (pictured below) added.
The programme targeted the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves, measuring the live weight of the calf at weaning as a percentage of the cow’s live weight. In recognition of the important role of animal health and welfare issues, participants were also encouraged to implement a number of optional health and welfare measures.
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said: “Payments will continue in the coming weeks across a number of the schemes implemented by my Department. The processing of such payments remains a key priority for my Department.”
