Latest news with #AdvantageBeefProgramme
Agriland
3 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
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.
Agriland
17-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
New beef farmer networking events kick off in south-east
A new trial series of beef farmer networking events, which is a joint venture between Teagasc and ABP Food Group, have kicked off in the south-east of the island. While still in its early stages, the initiative sees a newly-formed discussion group of ABP Food Group farmer-livestock suppliers attend a series of farm walks focused on suckler/beef and store-to-beef systems. Separately, ABP is also facilitating knowledge-sharing events for its' dairy calf-to-beef farmer suppliers. The suckler-beef-focused events, which started on Thursday, May 8, are taking place in the ABP Slaney and ABP Ferrybank catchment areas. The first farm walk was hosted by Co. Wicklow farmer John Pringle. Based in Aughrim, Pringle is a suckler-beef farmer and is part of Teagasc's Future Beef Programme. (l-r) John Pringle, host farmer; Eleanor Cummins, ABP Slaney; Martina Harrington, Teagasc Future Beef Programme manager; Aideen Bates, Advantage Beef Programme farm liaison officer; and Peter Lawrence, Teagasc drystock advisor The Future Beef Programme is a venture ran by Teagasc that aims to demonstrate to beef farmers how they can produce suckler beef as efficiently as possible, making their system more profitable while also making it more environmentally and socially sustainable. The farm walk was attended by ABP suppliers who are involved in the processors' Advantage Beef Programme. Participants on the farm walk on John Pringle's farm in Aughrim, Co. Wicklow Topics such as genetics, different sward types, and young bull performance were covered and the farm walk encouraged conversation and comments between the farmers leaving plenty points of discussion. Martina Harrington, manager of the Teagasc Future Beef Programme said: 'Teagasc and the Future Beef Programme is proud to support this collaboration and the ongoing efforts to engage with suckler-beef farmers. 'The enthusiasm and engagement shown by the farmers at the event is a testament to the growing interest in these discussions and we are excited about the potential to continue building these groups in the future. 'By working together, we can share valuable knowledge and support the sustainability and profitability of our farmers. 'We look forward to seeing the positive outcomes of this collaboration and working with Teagasc to aid in creating profitable suckler beef systems across our supplier base,' Harrington said. ABP Slaney's Eleanor Cummins said: 'The collaboration between ABP and Teagasc looks to be a success from our first suckler farm walk on John Pringle's farm'. Cummins noted that, on the farm walk, 'farmers engaged with each other in conversation over farming practices'. 'With the addition of Teagasc, the farmers of the Slaney region and ourselves, ABP, it creates a unique synergy, combining practical industry insights with academic expertise to promote sustainable, innovative, and profitable farming. 'Suckler-beef is important to the beef industry and to ABP and we are committed to supporting suckler-beef production systems. 'It is important for us, as beef processors, to support and guide our suppliers to reach their potential and farm as efficiently as possible.'
Agriland
22-04-2025
- General
- Agriland
ABP Monitor Farms: Why this farmer is adding rolled oats to calf ration
The recent spell of dry weather is being welcomed on John Twohigs dairy and beef farm in Bandon, Co. Cork. The farm is one of the eight ABP Monitor Farms. These monitor farms are finishing cattle in a variety of systems and are based across the country on a range of different land types. Advantage Beef Programme farm liaison officer Aideen Bates said the majority of the spring-2023-born dairy-beef cattle on the farm have now been slaughtered, and John is delighted with both the performance of the cattle and the prices received in recent weeks. The farm is involved in ABP Food Group's Advantage Beef Programme and receives a 20c/kg Sustainability Bonus on all eligible cattle slaughtered trough the scheme. The oldest calves born on the farm will be weaned in the coming weeks, with calf performance good and no major health or performance issues so far. All calves received their pneumonia Intranasal vaccine at 10-days-old and their booster three weeks later. This year, John is trialling something different when feeding his calves concentrates – he is adding rolled oats to the calf ration in an effort to reduce incidences of summer scour. Rolled oats are being added to the calf ration this year as a trial to reduce summer scour incidents Summer scour in calves is the biggest problem John faces with his calves year-on-year. As a trial this year, the concentrate ration fed to the calves is now 25% oats rather than 18% oats, and John will monitor its impact on calf performance this summer. Yearling cattle on the ABP Monitor Farm Yearling bullocks have been at grass for over a month now and they had an average body weight of 320kg at turnout. Yearling heifers are also turned out and had an average weight of 270kg going to grass. Yearling cattle at grass The milk cows have been out at grass day and night for the past six weeks. Cows are milking well and the dry ground conditions are allowing for excellent graze-outs. The good spring weather this year has been a great benefit on the farm, as opposed to last spring when conditions were much more challenging. The first grazing rotation will be finished this week. Regrowths were slow at the start, but have come on in the last few days. The good weather has allowed for excellent graze outs this year Paddocks that have been reseeded in the last two years are regrowing very well in comparison to older pasture. John intends to reseed 10ac of ground this year but he is mindful not to take too much ground out of the grazing platform. Ground has been sprayed off and is ready to be disced in the coming days. John will be sowing a white clover and ryegrass mix for grazing. Breeding will commence on John's farm on May 1 and all cows will be served using artificial insemination (AI) to high carcass weight Angus bulls. When selecting bulls, John balances easy-calving with high beef genetic merit and appears to be managing this effectively with no assisted calvings required this year. No Friesian calves are bred on John's farm – instead, suitable Friesian heifer calves are bought-in and reared as replacements for the herd.
