The National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) is now open for applications. The scheme offers Irish sheep farmers up to €13 per ewe for completing key welfare actions.
Among the simplest and most effective ways of meeting these requirements—while protecting flock productivity—is through proactive lameness prevention. Chronic lameness, which is very common in sheep and has a wide range of causes, is a major cause of animal ill-health and revenue loss on Irish farms. It needs to be managed carefully, as it can spread through the flock quickly if caused by a bacterial infection.
In these instances, prevention is better than cure. Speaking from personal experience, you can’t go wrong with Provita Hoofsure Endurance. The product qualifies for use under the NSWS, making it a practical and financially beneficial choice.
Strengthening Flock Health Through the NSWS
For those new to sheep farming, the National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) is a support programme designed to help farmers implement practical welfare measures that improve flock health and overall farm efficiency. Applications for the scheme must be submitted online via agfood.ie before 15th May.
To qualify, you must:
· Have an active herd number with the DAFM (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine).
· Have submitted a 2026 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS).
· Have submitted their 2025 sheep census.
Farmers participating on the scheme must complete three actions. These are as follows:
- Two mandatory Category A actions
- One optional Category B action
Completing all three actions will entitle you to the maximum payment of €13 per eligible breeding ewe. Those completing only the two mandatory, but not the optional Category B action, can receive €8 per ewe. Lameness control qualifies under the optional Category B, meaning that using Provita Hoofsure Endurance on your flock can add €5 per ewe to your overall payment.
Why Lameness Prevention Matters
It is hard to overstate the benefits of reducing flock lameness for the overall health and financial viability of your flock. Even mild lameness reduces:
- Weight gain
- Fertility
- Lamb survival
- Overall flock productivity
The financial impact can be significant, as lost performance often exceeds the value of scheme payments. For sheep farmers, many of whom are operating on very tight margins, this can be the difference between operating at a profit and operating at a loss. Preventing lameness is therefore not only a welfare priority but a direct contributor to farm profitability.
Provita Hoofsure Endurance: A Scheme‑Approved Solution
Having used Hoofsure Endurance for some time, I can’t speak highly enough of its performance. As a scientifically formulated solution, it is specifically designed to support hoof health and reduce lameness risk. Its approval for use under the National Sheep Welfare Scheme means that farmers are now financially incentivised to use it as part of their welfare actions while also improving long‑term flock performance.
Using Hoofsure Endurance will help:
- Reduce lameness through regular footbathing
- Improve ewe mobility and grazing efficiency
- Support better lamb thrive and ewe condition
- Demonstrate compliance with welfare‑focused scheme actions
Because lameness control is central to welfare outcomes, integrating a proven product like Hoofsure Endurance strengthens both scheme compliance and flock productivity.
Financial Benefits: Maximising the €13 per Ewe Payment
With margins tightening across the sector due to rising production costs, the Sheep Welfare Scheme payment of up to €13 per ewe represents a meaningful income support. For a flock of 150 ewes, this equates to:
- €1,950 for completing all three actions
- €1,200 if only the two mandatory actions are completed
This means that completing Category B through lameness control measures would add €750 to the flock’s overall NSWS payment. Given the relatively low cost of implementing lameness prevention measures —especially footbathing — farmers can achieve a strong return on investment while improving animal welfare.
Why Farmers Should Act Now
By choosing Sheep Welfare Scheme actions that directly improve flock health—such as lameness prevention—you can:
- Secure the highest payment rate
- Reduce long‑term veterinary and production losses
- Improve ewe longevity and lamb performance
- Strengthen compliance for future welfare schemes
Provita Hoofsure Endurance, as a qualifying product, fits seamlessly into this strategy. It offers a reliable and cost‑effective way to meet scheme requirements while protecting flock productivity.
In other words, it is nothing short of a win-win!
