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Beef Quality Initiative

BEEF QUALITY INITIATIVE

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Aim

Assist cattle producers to improve the standard of their breeding stock and finished cattle by adopting disciplined production and management practices. These measures will hopefully improve producer returns by increasing the number of cattle meeting market specification.
Explanatory Leaflet (PDF 644 KB)
BQI Scheme Update
Application to join the Beef Cattle Breed Improvement Learning Programes (PDF 14 KB)
Application to join the Cattle Health Management Learning Programme (PDF 13 KB)
BQI Elite and Superior Bull Scheme summary

What application form to use and when?

All payments are subject to the rules and regulations laid out in BQI1 (Beef Quality Initiative - Explanatory Leaflet).

Part I

  • Beef Cattle Breed Improvement Learning Programme
  • Use BQI 4 (PDF 23 KB) to claim payment for attending the Beef Cattle Breed Improvement Learning Programme, after attending all four sessions of the programme and completing the Herd Breeding plan. See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria (pages 1 - 2) and Appendix 1 (page 13) for payment rate.
  • Use BQI 5 (PDF 137 KB) to claim payment at end of year three for successfully maintaining a herd-breeding plan during three consecutive years. See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria (pages 1 - 2) and Appendix 1 (page 13) for payment rate.
  • Cattle Health Management Learning Programme
Use BQI 6 (PDF 123 KB) to claim payment for attending the Cattle Health Management Learning Programme, after attending all four sessions of the programme and completing the animal health assessment. See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria (pages 3 – 4) and Appendix 1 (page 13) for payment rate.

Part II

  • Pedigree Herd Performance Recording
  • Use BQI 7 (PDF 137 KB) to claim payment for your annual award towards membership of a national beef-recording scheme. See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria and payment rate (page 5). The claim must be submitted during the twelve month period or within three months from the end of the membership period for which award is being sought.
  • Elite Genetics Scheme
  • Purchasing an Elite Bull
Use BQI 8 (PDF 22 KB)to claim payment for purchasing an elite bull. See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria and payment rate (page 6, 14 – 15). Prospective purchasers of elite bulls who wish to seek clarification from the Breeding Advisory Board on the eligibility of an elite bull prior to purchase should also complete BQI 8, except for questions 8 and 9, and indicate that they are seeking clarification only.
  • Maintenance of Progeny of Elite bulls
  • Use BQI 9 (PDF 149 KB) to claim payment if you register at least four bull calves from elite bulls. See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria and payment rate (page 7).
  • Elite Embryo Transfer (Imported)
  • Individuals
  • Use BQI 10a (PDF 165 KB) to apply for approval to import elite embryos. See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria and payment rate (page 8, 14 - 19).
  • Groups and Companies
  • Use BQI 10b (PDF 163 KB) to apply for approval to import elite embryos. See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria and payment rate (page 8, 14 - 19).
  • Elite Embryo Transfer (Homebred)
Use BQI 11 (PDF 164 KB) to apply for approval to produce/select homebred elite embryos. See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria and payment rate (page 9, 14 - 19).

Payment for Implantation of Embryos

Use BQI 12 (PDF 141 KB) to apply for payment of the allowance for implantation of imported or homebred embryos. See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria and payment rate (page 8 - 9, 14 - 19).
  • Purchasing a Superior bull
Use BQI 13 (PDF 20 KB) to claim payment for purchasing a superior bull. See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria and payment rate (page 10).
  • Progeny Performance Recording (commercial suckler herd only)
Use BQI 14 (PDF 138 KB) to apply for approval to Progeny Performance Record. See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria and payment rate (page 11).
Use BQI 15 (PDF 124 KB) to claim payment for Progeny Performance Recording (weighing progeny of superior and elite bulls). See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria and payment rate (page 11).

Application for the Registration of an Elite or Superior bull

Use BQI 16 (PDF 140 KB)to apply to register a bull as Elite or Superior. See explanatory leaflet for eligibility criteria (page 10, 14 -15).
Email: Stephen Johnston or Kieron Mailey
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