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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Suckler Cow Scheme

    Topics:
    • Grants and Funding, 
    • Sustainable Agriculture Programme, 
    • Agricultural & Environmental Schemes

    The Suckler Cow (SC) Scheme is a new payment scheme for suckler cow farmers in Northern Ireland.

    REMINDER Opt in for the 2025 Scheme year ends on 31st March 2026. Further Information and Guidance on 'How do I opt in for the SC Scheme' can be found below.

    New Suckler Cow Calculator allowing farmers to calculate:

    1. Age at First Calving Targets - input a heifer's date of birth, the calculator will return the minimum date of calving and eligibility range of the given heifer
    2. Calving Interval Targets - input a cow’s last calving event date, the calculator will return the minimum date of calving and eligibility range of the given cow

      Beef Sustainability Package

    • What is the Suckler Cow (SC) Scheme?
    • Am I eligible for the SC Scheme?
    • Eligible Beef Breeds
    • How do I opt in for the SC Scheme?
    • SC Scheme How To Videos
    • Checks that we will carry out if you opt in for the SC Scheme
    • SC Scheme Payments
    • What to do if you are not happy with our decision
    • SC Scheme Terms & Conditions

    Related content

    • Agricultural Census in Northern Ireland
    • Am I Eligible for BCR?
    • Am I eligible for SC Scheme
    • Am I eligible for the FwNT Scheme?
    • Area-based Schemes - Current Scheme Details
    • BCR Payments
    • Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme
    • Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme - Terms and Conditions
    • Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme Retention Period Examples
    • Beef Sustainability Package
    • Business Changes
    • Checks that we will carry out if you opt in for the SC Scheme
    • Checks That We Will Carry Out If You Opt-in For BCR
    • Cross Compliance 2025
    • DAERA Customer Portal
    • DAERA Online Services
    • EFS Claim Confirmation and Management
    • Eligible Beef breeds
    • Entitlements and Transfers
    • Entitlements and Transfers 2025
    • Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) - Higher Level
    • Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) general information and guidance
    • Environmental Farming Scheme Training Videos (Higher NPIs)
    • Environmental Farming Scheme Training Videos (Wider Options)
    • Farm Sustainability Payment (FSP)
    • Farm Sustainability Standards (FSS)
    • Farming with Nature Package
    • Farming with Nature Transition Scheme
    • FwNT Contact Details
    • FwNT Scheme Checks and Inspections
    • FwNT Scheme Conditions
    • FwNT Scheme Payments
    • How do I apply for the FwNT Scheme?
    • How Do I Carry Out the FwNT Scheme Actions?
    • How do I opt in for the SC Scheme?
    • How Do I Opt-in for BCR?
    • How to access DAERA online services via Government Gateway
    • How to Apply
    • How to Videos Library
    • New & Future Schemes
    • Northern Ireland Agricultural Census 2025
    • Online Agent Nomination
    • Online Agent Nomination Process How To Videos
    • Other Useful Information
    • Previous years Area-based Schemes
    • Registering for Government Gateway (GG) and NIDA Accounts
    • Review of Decisions 2025
    • Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (RBDGS) general guidance notes
    • Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) 2025/2026 Letter of Offer Terms and Conditions
    • Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) claim guidance notes
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