With Northern Ireland’s Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme (BCRS) now in place, farmers must ensure prime cattle are slaughtered at 30 months or younger in 2024 to qualify for payments. Over the next few years, this age limit will decrease further:
2025: under 28 months
2026 – under 27 months
2027 – under 26 months
2028 – under 24 months
To receive a £75 per animal payment, cattle must:
Be born and registered in Northern Ireland
Be finished for beef (not breeding)
Have been on your farm for at least 60 of the last 100 days before slaughter
Be slaughtered within the eligible age limit
DAERA tracks eligibility through the NIFAIS system, meaning no additional paperwork is required, but staying on top of your cattle’s ages is crucial to avoid missing out on payments.
That’s where GMG E-Farm helps. Our automated cattle age alerts notify you when animals are approaching the BCRS age limit, giving you time to adjust feed plans, plan sales, and avoid penalties.
You can also track which bought-in cattle have been on the farm for the required 60 days, ensuring you meet criteria with ease.
Stay compliant, maximise your returns, and reduce the hassle: sign up for GMG E-Farm FREE today! 🚜📲