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The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has begun payments for Year Two of the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme in Northern Ireland, with £19.6 million distributed to 99% of eligible farmers for 262,132 eligible animals. The scheme, launched in 2024, incentivizes reducing the slaughter age of cattle from 28 months in 2025 to 27 months in 2026, providing farmers with £75 for each eligible animal. The initiative has led to a reduction of 43.1 ktCO2e in carbon emissions and 177.7 tNH3-N in ammonia emissions, supporting the beef sector's efforts in improving productivity and environmental sustainability.