ICMSA Livestock Chairman welcomes additional SCEP in person training courses but issues reminder about other important SCEP core requirements.

ICMSA Livestock Chairperson, Mr. Michael O Connell, has welcomed the additional SCEP in person training courses announced and has stated that it recognises areas which are predominantly farmed by suckler farmers are now being facilitated where they were not in the previous allocation of training courses. ‘Our members in certain areas in the West of Ireland had contacted us voicing their concern that they were not facilitated by these training courses as they were either too far away or they had not access to internet to complete the course online.’

Following on from this, Mr. O’ Connell has reminded suckler farmers that whether they are completing online or attending in person, farmers must have the training completed by 15 November 2024 to avoid removal from SCEP and loss of any payments already received.   He also urged suckler farmers who have yet to weigh their cows and calves as part of the weighing core action that it must be carried out and submitted to ICBF by the deadline of November 1^st, 2024.    The weighing component is 20% of the yearly payment.    Herd owners should ensure cows and calves are weighed on the same day and must be done before the calf is weaned. ‘Weighing of calves will also give farmers an indication of performance at farm level, the live value of their stock and allow them to make decisions as to whether sell in the ‘red hot’ autumn weanling sales or as stores in the spring or graze next summer.’ O’Connell added.

A third core requirement deadline for Genotyping is 30^th of November.    Genomic samples will not be accepted after November 30 of each year of the scheme.   The number of animals to be genotyped each year will be at least equivalent to 70% of the SCEP participants yearly reference number.    These animals will be selected by ICBF and the herdowner will be notified.

Concluding, Mr. O’Connell advised farmers to complete the required task within the dates required but he also said that the Department need to keep the closing dates under review and show flexibility if required.

ENDS     25 October 2024

Michael O’Connell is at (086) 8551015.

ICMSA Head Office (061) 314677.