Farmers and crofters enrolled in the Scottish Government’s £45million Beef Efficiency Scheme (BES) have been reminded to submit all calving data before a key deadline next week.
NFU Scotland (NFUS) has issued a reminder to all beef producers participating in the scheme to upload calving information to ScotEID by February 7.
The scheme, which sets out to make the Scottish beef herd more efficient, requires farmers to submit information for calves born between June 2 and December 31, 2016.
Producers have been asked to share information ranging from calving ease to the vigour of the calf in the first 24 hours.
It is also a requirement for the calf to be weighed at least once before it reaches 400 days old, and this weight must be given to ScotEID before the calf is 415 days old.
NFUS livestock committee chairman Charlie Adam, who farms at Braeside, Cushnie, Alford, said: “Calving data must be entered onto the ScotEID system by farmers participating in the BES before the February 7 deadline.
“It is also important that farmers upload their weight data to the ScotEID system in a timely manner, before calves reach 400 days old, to avoid being in breach of the scheme requirements.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman last night thanked the union for reminding producers to submit their calving information ahead of next week’s deadline.
She said: “It is important we all work together to ensure this innovative programme to improve the efficiency, sustainability and quality of the nation’s beef herd succeeds. Farmers participating in the scheme need to meet the February 7 deadline to allow the relevant data to be included in this year’s programme.”
Farmers participating in the scheme have committed to take part for five years, however payments will only be made in the first three years.
