€445k for Carlow farmers under Beef Welfare Scheme

FARMERS in Carlow who are signed up to the Beef Welfare Scheme are set to receive a total of €445,761, minister for agriculture food and the marine Martin Heydon has announced.

There are 309 farmers in Carlow who applied for the scheme, while in total €28.07 million is to be paid out to over 24,000 farmers across the country.

Speaking last Tuesday following the announcement of payments beginning, minister Heydon said: “Payments will be visible in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days. The issuing of payments under the Beef Welfare Scheme 2025 is crucial to the beef sector and farm families, and the processing of such payments at the earliest possible opportunity remains a key priority for my department.” The Beef Welfare Scheme aims to further increase the economic efficiency of suckler farms and to enhance animal health and husbandry. The scheme supports farmers in feeding suckler calves meal before and after weaning, vaccinating against pneumonia and other clostridial diseases, and carrying out tests such as forage analysis.

The meal feeding of calves is a mandatory action under the scheme, to which farmers are paid at a rate of €35 per calf, while completing the optional actions of vaccination and testing will see farmers paid €12 and €20 per calf, respectively.

Minister Heydon also confirmed that a further €28 million has been secured for the continuation of the scheme, or a similar one, in 2026.