DAERA Minister Andrew Muir called on eligible farm businesses in Northern Ireland to join the Suckler Cow Scheme before the Year 1 deadline of 31 March 2026. The scheme requires opt-in between 1 April 2025 and that date to qualify for payments on eligible calving events in the period.

The Suckler Cow Scheme belongs to the Beef Sustainability Package under the Sustainable Agriculture Programme. It seeks to boost breeding management for earlier first calving and shorter calving intervals across four years. Meeting uptake targets could cut agriculture's greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2027.

Muir stated that his department offers information and support for the opt-in process. He noted the scheme aids farm businesses in achieving environmental and economic sustainability.

Over 2,000 eligible businesses remain to opt in. Eligibility requires claiming the Farm Sustainability Transition Payment in 2025. Payments come at £100 per eligible calving event, capped at 222,000 events yearly in Northern Ireland.

Farm businesses opt in once via the DAERA website. No penalties apply if no eligible calving events occur in Year 1. Notifications and payment details arrive electronically through DAERA messaging.

Farmers need a DAERA online account via Northern Ireland Identity Assurance or Government Gateway to receive email notifications and view details. Assistance is available by emailing AgriculturalandEnvironmentalSchemes@daera-ni.gov.uk or calling 0300 200 7848.