The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) has outlined the key dates and details this year for the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) and National Genotyping Programme (NGP).

According to ICBF, participants in SCEP must calve 50% of their reference number between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, while 70% of their reference number also must be genotyped by November 30 this year.

In cases where a herd is not calving enough to meet their genotyping requirement and the rest of the beef stock has been genotyped, ICBF has advised farmers to consider reducing their herd's reference number.

Requests to reduce a reference number will be made available to review from late January to mid-February this year, and the Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) will contact herds by text.

SCEP and NGP

ICBF noted that if a herd returns more genotype samples than their requirement in a year, the extra samples will not roll over to the following year.

In order for samples to be counted, they must be received by November 30, 2026, with farmers being able to check their progress on the ICBF homepage or HerdPlus app.

The federation stated that herds can order double tissue tags to DNA sample calves from birth but only herds in NGP can avail of double tissue tags. SCEP herds that are not in NGP are not eligible to order double tissue tags.

Where there are leftover regular electronic identification (EID) tags, ICBF explained that a herd can order DNA button tags to match these tags.

Additionally, if a herd is short on genotype samples and has any ungenotyped beef stock, farmers can contact ICBF to order a sample kit.

Calving

ICBF has reminded farmers to ensure that they register any calves within 27 days of their birth, as late registration can reduce SCEP payment.

"Don’t wait for lab results; where samples are delayed, the calf will not be a late registration once it was already registered online," ICBF explained

Additionally, ICBF highlighted that returning genotype samples from dead calves can also count towards a herd's requirement and farmers should make sure to register the calf before sending them to the knackery.

Reference numbers

Separately, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon recently announced that participants in SCEP now have access to amend their 2026 yearly reference number if they wish to do so.

The window to amend 2026 yearly reference numbers is open from Thursday, January 22 until 23:59p.m on February 12.