Farmers participating in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) must ensure they meet their SCEP genotyping requirements for 2026 before the 30 November 2026 deadline. Herds are required to genotype 70% of their reference number, with samples received in the laboratory by the deadline.
Checking your progress now can help avoid payment penalties and ensure you remain on track to meet your Scheme Year 4 obligations.
1. What Are the SCEP Genotyping Requirements for 2026?
For SCEP 2026, every herd must genotype 70% of their reference number and have these samples received in the laboratory by 30th November 2026.
Participation in the National Genotyping Programme (NGP) does not change your SCEP genotyping requirement.
2. Extra Samples Do Not Carry Forward
If a herd returns more samples than required, any additional samples cannot be carried forward to meet future year requirements. Each year’s target must be achieved within that scheme year.
3. How to Check Your SCEP Genotyping Progress
For samples to count towards your 2026 requirement, they must be received in the laboratory by 30th November 2026.
You can monitor your progress at any time through the Genotyping Samples table on your ICBF homepage, where you can view:
- Number of samples required
- Number of samples received
- Outstanding samples still needed
4. Ordering Genotyping Samples
Herds participating in SCEP only
Genotyping samples are automatically issued to SCEP herds when eligible animals are available. If you have not yet received samples, they will issue once sufficient eligible animals are identified.
If you need additional samples or have animals that will be sold before more eligible stock become available, please contact ICBF.
Herds participating in both SCEP and NGP
NGP herds can order:
- Double tissue sampling tags for calves at birth
- DNA button tags where regular EID tags remain in stock
If you are short of genotype samples and have eligible ungenotyped beef animals on the farm, you can also order a genotyping sample kit through your tag supplier.
5. Selling Animals Before Genotyping
If animals are due to leave the herd, make sure samples are taken beforehand.
Before an animal is sold, check that its sample has been recorded as received in the lab in the Genotyping Samples table. Animals sold before a sample is taken may leave you short of your requirement.
Where this occurs, contact ICBF to discuss genotyping an alternative eligible animal
What If You Don’t Have Enough Eligible Animals?
If you think you may not have enough eligible animals available to meet your genotyping requirement by 30th November 2026, contact ICBF as soon as possible.
The sooner any potential shortfall is identified, the more options may be available to help you meet your target. Failure to meet the genotyping requirement may result in a reduction in your SCEP payment.