£40m suckler beef payments start to roll in Scotland

Scottish farmers are beginning to receive payments for beef calves as part of the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme.

About £40m is paid out each year by the Scottish government to help sustain the beef sector.

In 2022, about 6,500 farm businesses claimed the payment on a total of 380,000 calves.

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The payment rate for each calf varies every year depending on the total number of animals claimed on nationwide.

This year, farmers will receive a payment rate of £101.42 for each beef calf in mainland Scotland, while £144.47 will be made for island calves.

Eligible animals must be born on a Scottish holding, have a valid cattle passport, be kept for at least 30 days and be at least 75% beef bred.

Claims can be made throughout the year and the scheme runs from 1 January to 31 December.

Falling numbers

There is some concern that, despite the payment, the Scottish beef sector is contracting, as this year’s NFU Scotland’s (NFUS) Intentions Survey indicates that many farmers are reducing cow numbers.

NFUS’s livestock policy adviser Lisa Hislop said: “NFU Scotland welcomes the timely and prompt payments of the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme [SSBSS] this year.

“While it is encouraging to see a 2% uplift in animals claimed for 2022 compared to 2021, it’s important to note the number of beef calves claimed and the number of farms and crofts claiming is still below 2020.”

Ms Hislop added: “It is in the interests of our food and drink sector and our rural economy that farmers and crofters see a future in beef.

“It is clear that coupled support schemes such as SSBSS, which reward active farming and support our suckler beef herd, remain an anchor for farmers and crofters in these turbulent times.”