A new beef-production scheme for farmers will see ABP pay an additional 20c/kg ‘sustainability bonus’ to eligible beef farmers. The beef processor announced the scheme on January 14, 2022. The Advantage Beef Programme will focus on all aspects of sustainability.
The venture is open to beef, dairy and suckler farmers and will guarantee a sustainability bonus of 20c/kg for all animals reared to agreed protocols, ABP said.
This will be paid in addition to any relevant quality assurance (QA) and breed bonuses. All cattle in the scheme will be paid on the average quoted price (AQP) for steers and heifers of the seven ABP/Slaney plants on the week of slaughter on the grid.
The average quoted price for the scheme will not diverge by more than 5c/kg from the AQP for all of the listed plants in the country. This will be the same for steers, heifers and young bulls under 16 months.
A contractual agreement is available to participating farmers from ABP on bonuses, and a minimum base price for animals meeting the required specification.
Farmers will also be free to purchase feed from a supplier that best suits them. The beef processor added that from 2023, animals eligible for the scheme must also be bred to an approved minimum genetic merit standard.
ABP Ireland’s managing director, Kevin Cahill, said: “We are delighted to launch this inclusive, integrated beef programmme. Our focus is on delivering a model that will help farmers to improve their on-farm efficiencies while also delivering a more sustainable outcome.”
Animals participating in the programme are expected to be marketed at 18-28 months of age, depending on the farming system, with an average age of 24 months – some three months below the national average.
LSL News.