Beef Efficiency Scheme

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The objective of the Beef Efficiency Scheme is to assist in the development of your suckler herd to become as efficient as possible.

Increasing efficiency will reduce the emissions from beef production and also improve overall herd profitability making your herd more sustainable both economically and environmentally.

This is a five-year scheme which will contribute to a range of improvements focusing on cattle genetics and management practice on-farm.

The full impact of the scheme will not be realised for several years. We would expect the principal impacts to be improved genetic selection in respect of growth rates, feed conversion, maternal behaviour, nutrition practice and disease resistance. Importantly, these improvements will all be cumulative.

In recognition of the extra work involved in collecting and entering data, the Beef Efficiency Scheme will pay you, as a participating suckled calf producer, a payment equivalent to £32 per calf each year for the first three years. This will be paid on an area basis.

You will also be able to access a free advisory service to assist you in developing your suckler herd and in making the national herd as efficient as possible.

There will be a number of different ways in which advice will be rolled out, including video guides.

Full scheme guidance

Full guidance

This scheme is delivered through:

The Scottish Rural Development Programme logo