Scheme measure | Specific requirements per measure | |
---|---|---|
Calving details | Calf to be registered within 27 days of birth with details of sire and ‘ease of calving’ survey recorded. | |
Disbudding of calves | To normally be carried out within 3 weeks of birth. | |
Illegal to disbud calf over 2 weeks old without using local anaesthesia. | ||
Date of disbudding recorded. | ||
Castration of calves | Not compulsory. | |
If done, calf to be castrated at least 4 weeks prior to, or 2 weeks after weaning & date recorded. | ||
Minimum calving age | Average age of heifers calving for first time to be 24 months old. | |
Appropriate weaning procedures | Minimum age for weaning set at 8 weeks of age. | |
3 different actions: | ||
i. | Meal (concentrates) feeding from 4 weeks prior to weaning to 2 weeks post-weaning date | |
ii. | Graduated weaning with calves weaned in at least two separate groups | |
iii. | Sales Procedure with animals weaned a minimum of 2 weeks before sale or movement from herd | |
Dates for actions recorded. | ||
Animal Events Recording | Farmers to submit all required data for each measure in the Scheme. | |
Training and education | Farmers to attend a specified training course. |