There are significant numbers of cow-calf pairs eligible for weighing under the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP). Weighing and the submission of weights to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) is a key requirement of SCEP and accounts for 20% of the annual payment.

Participants must weigh at least 80% of eligible animals born on the holding of the yearly reference number in each scheme year and their dams and submit weights to ICBF. An example of this requirement is detailed in Table 1.

Farmers should also note that they must calve down at least 50% of their reference number of cows each year to satisfy scheme requirements. It is also important to note in this regard that year three of the scheme runs from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 and therefore this is the period on which targets will be calculated.

Cows and calves must be weighed on the same day. Calves must be a minimum of 50 days of age at weighing but the optimum timeframe identified for weighing by the ICBF is when the majority of calves are aged between 150 and 250 days of age (five to eight months of age). Where there is a split calving pattern in place then weighing should be split to facilitate weighing at this timeframe. Table 2 details the optimum time period for weighing as advised by the ICBF.

SCEP 2025 weighing requirement key points

The following is a list of key points advised by the ICBF

  • Each live calf must be un-weaned and weighed with its dam on the applicant’s holding on the same day.
  • Where a calf dies before five months of age or its dam, this must be recorded on the Animal Movement and Identification system (AIM) with these not contributing to the 80% target figure.
  • Calves being submitted for weighing must have been born in the herd within each scheme year.
  • All calves being submitted for weighing must be eligible for the scheme.
  • All calves being submitted for weighing must be in the ownership and possession of the applicant since birth and maintained on the holding. It must be alive at the time of weighing.
  • The calf must be a minimum of 50 days old before they are eligible to be weighed.
  • Weights should be submitted to ICBF within seven days of weighing and no later than 1 November annually.
  • Only registered scales used in accordance with the requirements may be used for the purpose of this programme.
  • If you are recording weights online/electronically, the weights must be recorded in the ICBF database by 5:30pm on 1 November annually.
  • If you are submitting weights by post, the forms must be received by ICBF by 5:30pm on 1 November annually.

    • Recording weights

    Weights can be recorded in a number of ways as follows;

  • Free ICBF weight recording app – for Apple phones visit– https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/icbf-weight-recording/id1457570254?mt=8 and for Android visit – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.icbf.weight
  • Via the ICBF portal. This can be easily accessed through the SCEP window.
  • Farm software packages
  • Hardcopy forms – if online recording is not an option then hardcopy forms can be requested by calling ICBF on 023-8832883.