National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme 2026

The objective of the National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme 2026 is to support

decision making on farms through better quality data on herd performance and to

increase the economic and environmental efficiency of the beef from the dairy

herd, and to facilitate further the integration of the dairy and beef sectors by

providing support for farmers who are rearing progeny from the dairy herd.

To be eligible for the scheme applicants must:

• Be aged eighteen years or over on the date of submission of the application for participation.
• Be the owner of an active herd number with Herd Owner status, herd keeper is not acceptable.
• Be farming a holding in respect of which a valid Basic Income Support for Sustainability application is submitted in 2026 to the Department.
• Had a male calf of a dairy breed and/or a male or female calf of a beef breed sire born to a dairy breed dam in their herd.

These eligible calves must have been:

• at least 12 weeks of age at the time of weighing and has been registered on the holding s/he is being weighed on for a minimum of 10 days prior to the date of weighing.
• in the applicant’s herd for at least 10 days before weighing
• born between 01 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

There is only 1 action required under the scheme – weighing of eligible calves

and submission of weights to ICBF

• Applicants must weigh a minimum of 5 eligible calves and up to a maximum of 50 calves and submit the weights to the ICBF
• Calves must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of weighing and be registered in applicant’s herd for at least 10 days before weighing
• All weights should be submitted to ICBF within 7 days of weighing but must be no later than 17.30hrs on 1 November 2026

These actions must be completed in full to be eligible for any payment under the programme.

Payment is €20 per eligible calf. Applicants must weigh and submit weights for a

minimum of 5 eligible calves and up to a maximum of 50.

The weights must be submitted to the ICBF by 17.30hrs on 01 November 2026 to

make an applicant eligible for payment.

Payments will be made in December 2026.

Applications must be made on MyAgFood

The opening date for application is 14 April 2026 and the closing date for

applications is 15 May 2026.

This is an outline of the Measure. Applicants must read the Terms and

Conditions for full information.