The total funding paid to date in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) for the 2018 scheme year stands at €39.52m paid to 22,032 farmers.

In a statement in mid-December, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said BDGP payments will continue to issue on an ongoing basis as more farmers verify their compliance with the 2018 scheme requirements. The Irish Farmers Journal estimates there are still some 1,000 farmers awaiting payment. The Department of Agriculture has yet to confirm the total number of farmers participating in the scheme and the number still awaiting payment. The minister urged participating farmers earlier in December “to return all surveys and genotyping samples and/or complete the carbon navigator update as soon as possible to facilitate payment”.

Survey data can be submitted through ICBF hardcopy return sheets, through participants’ access to the ICBF recording portal or through approved farm software packages. Access can be gained to the ICBF portal by filling in your username, which is your herd designator (BTE number), and password into the relevant section at www.icbf.com. If you can’t remember your password you can Text PASS to 089 4577663 from the mobile registered to your herd. You will receive a temporary password which will allow you log in and create a new password. Otherwise you can email support on query@icbf.com or call 023-822 0452 during office hours.

€uro-Star

The latest €uro-Star figures have been updated by ICBF and are available to view. All AI bulls have also been updated. All data and genotypes submitted to the ICBF database up to 8 November 2018 have been included in this evaluation run. It will also include the publication of genomic proofs for animals that were sampled privately and as part of BDGP and BDGP II. The next two evaluation publication dates are 21 January and 21 March as ICBF has moved to a bimonthly update schedule.