Mayo farmers to share in €89,000 dairy beef welfare payout

Over 160 Mayo farmers are set to receive a share of more than €89,000 in payments under year two of the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme, Minister of State Alan Dillon TD has confirmed.

The payments, totalling €89,131 and covering 161 farmers across the county, form part of a national distribution of €5.98 million issuing to 9,175 farmers nationwide, supporting 299,839 dairy beef calves — a 17.4% increase on year one of the scheme.

Minister Dillon said the funding offered "timely and practical support for Mayo farmers who continue to drive high standards of animal health and welfare across the county."

The scheme supports dairy farmers in improving the genetic merit of calves through the use of high-quality beef sires. Eligible calves must have been born between 1 January and 31 December 2025, with participants receiving €20 per eligible calf, up to a maximum of 50 calves per herd.

Farmers who applied in 2024 or 2025 will automatically continue in the scheme, which will reopen to new applicants in April 2026.

Payments are expected to appear in farmers' bank accounts within the coming days.

For further information, contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's Direct Payments Helpline at 057-8674422 or email dairybeef@agriculture.gov.ie.