SCEP or Sceptical

The problem is there is nowhere to input their weights. Scheme application closes last day of May and by sound of dates on terms and conditions gos live the 1st July also you need to input weights under the old scheme within 7 days of weighing them so hard see how manage it.

I weighed mine last week and inputted the weights in ICBF, same as I always have done I imagine this is what most will do. was able to book the scales etc as normal via the online system

Yeah but that is just weight recording. To record for the scheme was a different section and when you click on that it says "RECORDING FOR BEEP-S CLOSED AT 5:30PM ON 1ST NOVEMBER 2022" cut and paste job so in Caps.

Anyone joining this scheme would what to read the terms and conditions particularly pages 14 to 18 on penalties. Very punitive penalties for breaches of scheme rules more so than the previous scheme. Tread with care.

So if cattle go down in stars but were 4 star or 5 star when genotyped you are ok?

22 euros each on ICBF did it before privately, hair sample if you test privatley

Definitely would want north of 30 cows to make it worthwhile.

It a free money. And a couple of hoops. And the idea that you need 30 cows to make it worthwhile is not accurate IMO.

slightly off topic but I have a 5 star replacement heifer in calf for end of year. Highest replacement index on farm I think.

Mastitis. No idea how long she has it but I suspect 1 spin will be gone. Randomly felt her udder by accident thinking she was a different cow from behind. Very disappointing.

Ya on the terms and conditions it says u lose the payment for that element (20% of scheme) plus 10% penalty. That's if you comply with less than 80% of that requirement . That's what I understand from the document but open to correction

If suckling why would you be weaning and selling the calves at 4 months? It’s not like you are summer grazing and have to get rid.

Yeah I don't how anyone would have to get rid of calves so soon, the argument doesn't make much sense.

You mean less than 80% being 4 or 5 star possibly.

After September? No grass? That tight on shed space to keep a few calves a month or two longer.

Its hard to keep us farmers happy anyway 😀😀 . And hard to turn a bob suckling without turning down free money.

The alternative is not to do sucklers

Merely pointing out that throwing money at a suckler scheme doesn't mean you have to stay at sucklers

I've sucklers myself but switching systems as the cow costs are excessive

I've looked at the scheme & tbh it's v restrictive with no real option to exit b4 scheme ends

Would suit someone who is committed to pedigree breeding as you'd meet the star ratings easily anyway

The figures moved very little for me anyway, some moved from a two to a three or a three to a four if they were on the borderline but very little movement other than that.