The Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme, or SCEP, is now in its third year for the majority of participants. The programme includes a number of core requirements which must be satisfied annually, along with breeding targets that increase as you progress through the programme. Participants must also maintain at least 80% of their maximum payable area as forage to receive the full SCEP payment.
Core requirements
There are four core elements as follows:
Calving figure: in each scheme year, applicants must calve at least 50% beef breed animals of the yearly reference number. Remember that the scheme year for year three runs from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025. Participation: farmers must remain a participant of the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme for the duration of the scheme with no lapse in participation.Learning: training in year one and two, which has been completed.BISS:submit an annual application.Action one – eligible sires
In years three and four of the programme, 85% of the calves born (up to the reference number) must be sired by a sire rated as four- or five-star on either the replacement or terminal index. In the event that an applicant calves more than the 50% requirement, these animals must also be sired from a four- or five-star sire to a minimum of at least 85% of their yearly reference number. Where fewer than 85% of calves are sired by a four- or five-star sire in year three, there will be no payment on that action, plus an additional 30% penalty. 
\CJ Nash
Action two – replacement target
This year is a big year for the replacement target. At least 65% of a participant’s yearly reference number must be classified as eligible females by 31 October 2025.An eligible female must be at least 16 months of age and genotyped possessing four or five stars on the replacement index (on a within or across breed basis) at the time of purchase (for replacements brought into the herd), or at the time of genotyping (for those replacements bred within the herd).Where this target is not met, there will be no payment for the action, plus a 30% penalty.Action three – genotyping
The number of animals to be genotyped each year will be at least equivalent to 70% of the yearly reference number, rounded down to the nearest animal.Genomic samples will not be accepted after 30 November annually.Remember the scheme year of 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 when planning animals to genotype. Where less than 90% of samples are submitted, then there will be no payment on the action, plus a 30% penalty.Action four – weighing
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.A live calf must be unweaned and weighed with its dam on the applicant’s holding on the same day. Where a calf or its dam dies before five months of age, this must be recorded on AIM and the 80% does not include such pairs.All calves being submitted for weighing must be a minimum of 50 days of age and born in the herd within each scheme year. Weights must be recorded in the ICBF database by 5.30pm on 1 November annually, but the earlier they are recorded the better for payment.Where less than 80% is weighed, then there is no payment for that action for the year of breach, plus an additional 10% penalty.
Dovea genetics supply Padraig with his straws and semen. / Philip Doyle
Action five – surveys and
record-keeping
Record-keeping accounts for 10% of the annual payment and event-recording another 10%. For all tasks earlier completion will help ensure timely payment. Delaying recording beyond the end of November will mean that payment on that action will not take place until a later date. Where between 80% and 100% of the required data is submitted, then a proportionate reduction based on percentage of data submitted applies. If less than 80% of the required data is submitted, then a 10% penalty will apply. Penalty reimbursed if the required data is submitted by 15 February 2025.
The Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme, or SCEP, is now in its third year for the majority of participants. The programme includes a number of core requirements which must be satisfied annually, along with breeding targets that increase as you progress through the programme. Participants must also maintain at least 80% of their maximum payable area as forage to receive the full SCEP payment.
Core requirements
There are four core elements as follows:
Calving figure: in each scheme year, applicants must calve at least 50% beef breed animals of the yearly reference number. Remember that the scheme year for year three runs from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025. Participation: farmers must remain a participant of the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme for the duration of the scheme with no lapse in participation.Learning: training in year one and two, which has been completed.BISS:submit an annual application.Action one – eligible sires
In years three and four of the programme, 85% of the calves born (up to the reference number) must be sired by a sire rated as four- or five-star on either the replacement or terminal index. In the event that an applicant calves more than the 50% requirement, these animals must also be sired from a four- or five-star sire to a minimum of at least 85% of their yearly reference number. Where fewer than 85% of calves are sired by a four- or five-star sire in year three, there will be no payment on that action, plus an additional 30% penalty.
\CJ Nash
Action two – replacement target
This year is a big year for the replacement target. At least 65% of a participant’s yearly reference number must be classified as eligible females by 31 October 2025.An eligible female must be at least 16 months of age and genotyped possessing four or five stars on the replacement index (on a within or across breed basis) at the time of purchase (for replacements brought into the herd), or at the time of genotyping (for those replacements bred within the herd).Where this target is not met, there will be no payment for the action, plus a 30% penalty.Action three – genotyping
The number of animals to be genotyped each year will be at least equivalent to 70% of the yearly reference number, rounded down to the nearest animal.Genomic samples will not be accepted after 30 November annually.Remember the scheme year of 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 when planning animals to genotype. Where less than 90% of samples are submitted, then there will be no payment on the action, plus a 30% penalty.Action four – weighing
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.A live calf must be unweaned and weighed with its dam on the applicant’s holding on the same day. Where a calf or its dam dies before five months of age, this must be recorded on AIM and the 80% does not include such pairs.All calves being submitted for weighing must be a minimum of 50 days of age and born in the herd within each scheme year. Weights must be recorded in the ICBF database by 5.30pm on 1 November annually, but the earlier they are recorded the better for payment.Where less than 80% is weighed, then there is no payment for that action for the year of breach, plus an additional 10% penalty.
Dovea genetics supply Padraig with his straws and semen. / Philip Doyle
Action five – surveys and
record-keeping
Record-keeping accounts for 10% of the annual payment and event-recording another 10%. For all tasks earlier completion will help ensure timely payment. Delaying recording beyond the end of November will mean that payment on that action will not take place until a later date. Where between 80% and 100% of the required data is submitted, then a proportionate reduction based on percentage of data submitted applies. If less than 80% of the required data is submitted, then a 10% penalty will apply. Penalty reimbursed if the required data is submitted by 15 February 2025. 
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