Scottish beef farmers urged to keep calving diary for new 2016 scheme

Scottish beef farmers are being invited to keep a calving diary for the preparation of the launch of the new 2016 Beef Efficiency scheme.

The programme will allow Scotland's genomics research to improve the quality, efficiency and sustainability of Scottish beef herds - helping to increase profits and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The new Beef Efficiency scheme is truly groundbreaking. It will bring cutting-edge genomic technology to the farm gate to improve the quality and efficiency of Scotland’s beef herd, maximising profits while at the same time reducing greenhouse gases.

“The scheme will launch in the spring of 2016, but we are sending beef farmers their diaries now so those thinking of applying for support can get a head start capturing data from the very beginning of the calving season.

“Participating breeders will then be asked to put that information into a new national database to be assessed alongside genomic data.

“This analysis can then be used by farmers to identify how best to improve the management and selection of their herd, which will bring benefits for both the environment and farm profits.”