Boost your farm’s productivity with DAERA’s Beef Sustainability Package
Date published:
The Beef Sustainability Package is designed to help beef farmers boost productivity and reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. This innovative package includes two schemes:
- the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme
- the Suckler Cow Scheme
Details on how to opt in. If you have not already joined the BCR Scheme you can opt-in at any time to receive an annual payment for all qualifying animals from the year you join until the scheme closes.
Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme
Launched in January 2024, the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme incentivises farmers for reducing the age at slaughter for clean beef animals. Farm businesses receive £75 for each qualifying animal slaughtered at or below the Scheme’s maximum age target for that year. For 2026, the maximum slaughter age is 27 months. If you have not already joined the BCR Scheme, opt-in for the 2026 BCR Scheme Year is now open.
Suckler Cow Scheme
Introduced in April 2025 the Suckler Cow Scheme focuses on improving herd performance by reducing age at first calving and shortening calving intervals. A payment of £100 is made for each eligible calving event that achieves the annual Scheme targets for age at first calving or calving interval. If you have not already done so, opt-in by 31 March 2026 to secure Year 1 payments.
CAFRE Awareness Events
Find out more about how to avail of support through the Beef Sustainability Package and the range of other schemes included within the Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP) by attending an awareness event at a suitable date and location:
- Monday 19 January, Greenmount Campus, Antrim
- Wednesday 21 January, Loughry Campus, Cookstown
- Thursday 22 January, Enniskillen Campus, Enniskillen
- Tuesday 27 January, Bushtown Hotel, Coleraine
- Thursday 29 January, Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh
- Tuesday 3 February, Mourne Country Hotel, Newry
- Thursday 5 February, Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch
Two sessions will be held at each venue starting at 2:00pm and 7:30pm. Booking is not required. College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Advisers will be on hand to discuss how your business can benefit from the Sustainable Agriculture Programme. For more information please visit the CAFRE website.
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