New €10/ewe sheep scheme - your questions answered

Last week’s circulation of application forms for the new sheep welfare scheme is generating lots of discussion, with a number of similar queries repeatedly raised. We have collated the most common questions received to date in this article and will continue to profile the scheme until its closing date of 31 January 2017.

A: No, reducing sheep numbers in subsequent years will not affect your entry into the scheme. The reference number, based on the average number of ewes declared on the 2014 and 2015 sheep census returns, is the maximum number of ewes you can get paid on for the duration of the scheme. The statement above relating to maintaining ewe numbers refers to maintaining ewes for that particular year.

For example, if your reference number is 80 ewes and you submit this on your sheep census for December 2016, then this number of ewes must be maintained for 2017 and be available for inspection if required. The exception to this is force majeure (exceptional circumstances).

If the number of breeding ewes declared on the 2017 or subsequent census returns is lower than the reference number, then this lower number becomes the figure that payment will be based upon in that particular year.

The original reference number set at the start of the scheme will remain in place for the duration of the scheme, meaning that if numbers climb back up in subsequent census returns, payment will increase in line but will not exceed beyond the original reference number set.

A: The terms and conditions state that, for new entrants, the reference number will be based on the number of breeding ewes returned on the most recent sheep census.

However, your case is not as straightforward, as you do not meet the definition of a new entrant, which is defined as an applicant who has applied for a new herd number from 1 January and before the closing date of the scheme in 2017 or an applicant with an existing herd number who has not traded in sheep for a two-year period up to 31 October preceding the scheme year. Unfortunately, in this case, your reference number will be based on the average of 2014 and 2015.

A: There are no forms available on the DAFM website at present. Application forms have a unique barcode and therefore must be used to apply for the scheme. Forms for new entrants can be requested from The Sheep Welfare Scheme section, DAFM, Government Offices, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois, by calling 076-106 4420 or by emailing sheepscheme@agriculture.gov.ie.

The measures

A: The measures selected in Category A and Category B must be maintained for the duration of the scheme and cannot be changed. It is therefore advisable to consider which measure best suits your farm and will deliver the best response before selecting.

A: No. This measure is aimed at monitoring the incidence of lameness and taking corrective action for animals affected and for the prevention of further outbreaks of lameness. This will differ among flocks from routine footbathing to getting advice where necessary from your veterinary surgeon/agri adviser.

In reference to your particular query on hoof paring, veterinary advice recommends only paring where necessary.

A: There is no direct answer, as the route of offering minerals will influence how often supplementation is required, which in turn will influence how often ewes need to be handled.

For example, a bolus with persistency for longer than 60 days will be sufficient for one treatment, while if drenches are selected, the time frame between treatments will be based on manufacturers’ guidelines for the product selected.

If using dry powder minerals that are dusted on top of feed, this may need to be carried out daily. There is no method dictated and applicants can select a method that best suits their farm. The method can also change from year to year.

A: This measure is aimed at utilising mechanical control in preventing flystrike. Dagging, whether by hand or through means such as crutching, only needs to be carried out on sheep where necessary, but can be carried out on all animals if you wish. The second element of the measure is recording the presence of dags on lambs and recording any chemical treatment used to control flystrike.

Meeting dates

The 10 meetings (8pm) taking place in January are as follows:

IFA encouragement

IFA national sheep committee chair John Lynskey is strongly encouraging all sheep farmers to apply for the new sheep welfare scheme.

“Farmers should attend the meetings arranged for later this month by the Department of Agriculture to familiarise themselves with the details of the scheme and make an application by the closing date of 31 January 2017. The IFA has undertaken an intensive campaign throughout 2015/2016 to secure a commitment from Government and has also outlined the need to accommodate young farmers and new entrants under the arrangements.”