Reminder: Bluetongue vaccines eligible for suckler, sheep scheme payments
Suckler and sheep farmers considering vaccinating their herd or flocks are being reminded that bluetongue vaccination will be covered as a measure under this year's suckler and sheep schemes.
The new suckler scheme, titled 'The 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme' (BWS), is due to open for applications this coming August, as was the case in previous editions of the annual scheme.
The 2026 National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) closed for applications on Friday, May 15.
Farmers are advised to contact their private veterinary practitioner (PVP) for advice on bluetongue vaccination.
Some farmers had been concerned that actions taken now may not be eligible for the suckler scheme that will open later this year, but this is not the case - once the use of the vaccine has been recorded.
It is understood the 2026 edition of the suckler scheme will be open to eligible calves born to eligible suckler cows in the period July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
It is also understood the rate of payment is envisaged to be €75/eligible calf up to a maximum number of 45 eligible calves, assuming payment rates are not cut in the event of the scheme being oversubscribed.
To qualify for the maximum payment under the scheme, it is expected farmers will be required to select three actions, one of which is mandatory and the other two of which are optional:
- Action 1: Meal Feeding (Mandatory): The rate of payment is €35/eligible calf up to a maximum of 45 eligible calves;
- Action 2: Vaccination (Optional): The rate of payment is €15/eligible calf up to a maximum of 45 eligible calves.
- Action 3: Faecal Testing or Forage Testing (Optional): The rate of payment is €25/eligible calf up to a maximum of 45 eligible calves.
Bluetongue vaccination will qualify under Action 2, the vaccination measure, but it is expected pneumonia vaccinations will also remain eligible under this measure.
Sheep Scheme
Payments in the National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) will be per eligible breeding ewe.
Payment for full scheme compliance is expected to be €13/ewe where a farmer has selected and delivered two Category A actions and one Category B action, assuming payment rates are not cut in the event of the scheme being oversubscribed.
The NSWS payment rates are as follows:
| Category 'A' actions Must select 2 | Payment rate | Category 'B' Actions Can select 1 | Payment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Shearing | €4.00 | 1. Footbathing | Up to €5.00 |
| 2. Body Condition Scoring Ewes and appropriate follow-on management (as appropriate) | €4.00 | 2. Plunge Dipping to control external parasite | Up to €5.00 |
| 3. Vaccination of ewes*** | €4.00 |
Farmers are being encouraged to vaccinate both breeding sheep and breeding cattle against bluetongue by the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA's) Livestock Committee chairperson, Declan Hanrahan.
He said that vaccination of breeding stock will help mitigate any potential negative impacts of a bluetongue outbreak.
Despite this, farmers should contact their PVP for best advice on vaccination plans for their farms.
