Ireland's Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme Reopens for New Applicants

Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Martin Heydon, has announced the reopening of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme (DBWS) for new applicants. The scheme is allocated a budget of €25 million over four years (2024 – 2027) and is co-funded by the European Union under the CSP. It is designed to support dairy farmers in improving the health and welfare of the national herd through the use of genetically superior beef sires.

Participants in the scheme are required to use AI straws or stock bulls with a minimum rating of three stars on the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) Dairy Beef Index (DBI). A payment of €20 per eligible calf is provided, and farmers can receive compensation for up to 50 calves for each year they actively participate in the scheme.
The Minister emphasized the government's commitment to integrating dairy and beef herds, improving the quality and viability of male calves from dairy herds.

In 2024, the scheme facilitated €4.73 million in payments to over 7,600 farmers, which will contribute to further sectoral integration and advancement.

New applications for the scheme can be submitted online until May 15, 2025. Successful applicants joining in 2024 need not reapply in 2025, as their application will automatically continue. Additionally, the €4 million National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme is currently open for applications, complementing these efforts.