Clare farmers have taken an over €2 million share of a fund to support the welfare of suckler calves. Payments of €28 million have been commenced under the Beef Welfare Scheme 2025 with €2.34 million awarded in the county as a result of 1,878 successful applications. The scheme is intended to support farmers in meal feeding suckler calves before and after weaning, vaccinating against diseases and carrying out testing measures such as forage analysis or faecal egg count. Feakle-based chairperson of the Clare branch of the Irish Farmers Association Stephen Walsh says while the payments are welcome, it's disappointing that they're lower than promised.