Almost 300 Offaly farmers to benefit under Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme

FINE GAEL TD for Offaly, Deputy John Clendennen, has confirmed that year two payments under the Cap Strategic Plan (CSP) Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme are now issuing to farmers in Offaly.

The payments form part of a national allocation of over €5.98 million announced by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD. Nationally, payments are being made to approximately 9,175 participating farmers, supporting 299,839 dairy beef calves which represents a 17.4% increase in the number of calves supported compared to Year One of the scheme.

Welcoming the payments, Deputy Clendennen said, “I am very pleased to confirm that 274 farmers here in Offaly will be benefiting from the year two payments under the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme. This is very welcome financial support for farm families across the county and reflects the strong level of participation locally.”

The Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme provides targeted support to dairy farmers to improve animal health and welfare in the national dairy herd through the use of higher genetic merit beef sires. The scheme is operating under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan and payments relate to eligible calves born on applicants’ holdings between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.

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Deputy Clendennen continued, “This scheme is an important measure in strengthening the integration between the dairy and beef sectors. It supports more sustainable breeding decisions, improves calf quality, and ultimately enhances returns for both dairy and beef farmers.”

Under the scheme, eligible participants receive €20 per eligible calf, up to a maximum of 50 calves per herd.

Minister Heydon has also confirmed that the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme will reopen for new applications in April 2026. Farmers who joined the scheme in 2024 or 2025 will automatically continue their participation and do not need to reapply.

Farmers with queries regarding their payment can contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Direct Payments Helpline on 057-8674422 or by email at dairybeef@agriculture.gov.ie.

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