How many farmers are in the Advantage Beef Programme?
The Advantage Beef Programme has been one of the most significant developments in the Irish beef industry in recent times as regards beef processors' commitment to sustainability.
The sustainability initiative is a true example of a beef processor 'putting their money where their mouth is' and sees ABP Food Group reward its farmer-suppliers who are Advantage Beef Programme members with an additional 20c/kg 'Sustainability Bonus' on all cattle that meet the criteria of the initiative.
Launched in 2022, the Advantage Beef Programme now has over 1,000 farmer members, with 35,000 cattle processed through the sustainability initiative last year.
On a percentage basis, 51% of the cattle slaughtered through the sustainability initiative are dairy-beef cattle, 30% are suckler-bred cattle, and 19% are dairy-sired cattle.
The success of the initiative was highlighted at a special event on the ABP Demo Farm on yesterday (June 10), to mark the 10-year-anniversary of the ABP Demo Farm.
Since its inception, over 2,000 farmers have attended ABP-run farmer information events.
Suckler-beef farmer Jimmy Madigan speaking to ABP farm liaison team leader Amie Coonan on his involvement in the Advantage Beef Programme at the 10-year anniversary event of the ABP Demo Farm
As part of the initiative, ABP has a dedicated team of Advantage Beef Programme farm liaison officers on-hand to offer farmers support and advice on all aspects relating to fattening and finishing cattle in an economical and environmentally sustainable manner.
Initiatives run through the Advantage Beef Programme – such as linking dairy-beef calves with a high beef genetic merit with beef farmers seeking to rear calves – has seen over 6,000 calves linked with dairy and beef farmers.
As well as the price bonus available to farmers, valuable services such as soil testing, silage testing, dung sampling, and valuable advice on genetics, diet formulation, soil health and grassland management is also available to member farmers free of charge.
Farmers can keep up-to-date with the latest news and developments in the Advantage Beef Programme through the Agriland app.
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