Staying on top of your SCEP 2026 weighing requirements is essential to maximise your payment in Scheme Year 4. Planning your weighing early will help ensure you have enough eligible animals available and can complete the process on schedule.
All weights must be submitted to ICBF by 5:30pm on 1 November 2026, so putting a plan in place well in advance is key.
SCEP Weighing Requirement 2026
For Scheme Year 4 of SCEP, you must weigh at least 80% of eligible calves born, up to your reference number.
1. Key Weighing Requirements
- Calves must be over 50 days of age
- The cow and calf pair must be weighed on the same day
- Weights should be submitted within 7 days of weighing
- A registered scales must be linked to your herd on the day of weighing
- All weights must be submitted to ICBF by 5:30 pm on 1st November 2026
SCEP 2026 Weighing Dates – When to Weigh Your Calves
The best time to weigh is when the calf is between 5 and 8 months of age, before weaning.
| Calves Born Between | Optimum Weighing Time |
| 1 July – 30 September 2025 | 1 January – 31 March 2026 |
| 1 October – 31 December 2025 | 1 March – 30 June 2026 |
| 1 January – 31 March 2026 | 1 June – 31 August 2026 |
| 1 April – 30 June 2026 | 1 September – 31 October 2026 |
2. Registering Your Weighing Scales for SCEP
You can register weighing scales through your ICBF account:
- Own scales:
Services → SCEP → Weighing Information → View/Register Owned Scales - Third-party scales:
Services → SCEP → Weighing Information → View/Register Third Party Scales
Booking Scales Through Your Co-op
If you are hiring a weighing scale through your local co-op, you can make an advance booking online at https://www.icbf.com/the-weighing-scheme/
Once your booking is completed, the relevant scales registration details will be automatically assigned to your herd, saving you time on the day of weighing.
3. How to Submit SCEP Weights to ICBF
Weights can only be submitted where a valid scale is linked to your herd on the day of weighing.
You can submit weights:
- Online through your ICBF account: Services → SCEP → Weighing Information → Record Calf and Dam Weights
- Through a farm software package
- Using the official SCEP weight recording form (available on request from ICBF)
Submit weights as soon as possible after weighing to avoid delays or errors.
4. Common Issues to Avoid
Your SCEP payment may be affected if:
- Scales are not linked to your herd on the weighing date
- Weights are taken but not submitted
- The Cow and calf pair are not weighed on the same day
- Weights are submitted after the deadline
Once weights are submitted, you can monitor your progress at any time on icbf.com: Go to Services → SCEP → Herd Summary
Always check that your weights are valid and correctly recorded after submission.
Getting organised early and weighing at the optimal time will give you the best chance of meeting your SCEP weighing requirement and provide valuable insight into the performance of both your cows and calves on your farm.