A total of 18,593 suckler farmers applied to the Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot (BEEP), the Department of Agriculture has confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal.

It is understood that the average number of suckler cows per applicant is 25.

At this rate, it would mean 464,825 cows were applied for under the scheme, but the Department has yet to confirm the number of cows applied for.

Some 10,410 applications were received online, with the remaining 8,183 received via post. There is €20m available under the scheme, at a rate of €40/cow.