From 1 January 2025, calves will only be eligible for a SSBSS payment if:
- their dam has a calving interval threshold of 410 days or less, or
- if the calf is the first registered birth associated with that dam
The 410 day calving interval threshold will remain unchanged for the 2026 scheme year.
You can read more about the rules in these Frequently Asked Questions.
For the new SSBSS scheme condition on calving intervals, the calving interval will be calculated based on ScotEID birth registration data. All calf births must be registered on ScotEID within 27 days of birth in accordance with the cattle identification and traceability regulations. Unregistered calves will not be considered when establishing a calving interval for SSBSS.
The cattle identification and traceability regulatory requirements for registering a live calf that dies or a still born calf are:
- if the calf was tagged but then died before being registered and issued with a cattle passport then the birth/death event should be registered on ScotEID and recorded in the holding register;
- if the calf died before it was tagged then there is no requirement to register the birth/death event on ScotEID under the cattle identification and traceability regulations. However, the event should be recorded in the holding register against the dam. Unregistered calves will not be considered when establishing a calving interval for SSBSS
- for still born calves the event should be recorded in the holding register (as above) and there is no requirement to register the birth/death event on ScotEID under the cattle identification and traceability regulations. Unregistered calves will not be considered when establishing a calving interval for SSBSS
In order to be compliant with the 410 day calving period we would strongly encourage all keepers to tag and register their live calves as soon as possible.
If you have any questions around these requirements they should refer to the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) quick guide, the Agricultural Reform Route Map (ruralpayments.org) or contact their local RPID area office.
You can view calving intervals for your herd by logging into your ScotEID account and selecting “Open MyHerdStats”.