Liffey Meats has today (Thursday, May 28) announced the launch of a new initiative that will aim to financially reward beef farmer suppliers for on-farm sustainability measures.

The new initiative will be led by Liffey Meats and is titled: 'Positive Farming Programme'.

The Liffey Meats Positive Farming Programme is described by the beef processor as "a major sustainability initiative designed to support farmer suppliers in adopting practical actions that improve environmental performance while strengthening farm viability".

The programme will initially focus on the recruitment of suckler-to-beef or dairy calf-to-beef farms, with participating farmers eligible for payments of up to €2,700 in 2026 based on programme actions delivered.

The programme will include the following key sustainability pillars:

Climate action;
Water quality;
Biodiversity;
Soil health;
Animal health and welfare.

A statement from Liffey Meats on its new initiative explained that sustainability "continues to grow in importance among customers and consumers".

"The Positive Farming Programme aligns with the evolving needs of the marketplace and Liffey Meats' commitment to work closely with customers and farmers to drive ongoing, positive impact across the value chain."

The statement also said that the programme reflects Liffey Meats' "long-term commitment to supporting Irish beef farmers through innovation, knowledge transfer and incentivising measurable sustainability actions".

Participating farmers will receive advisory support through Liffey Meats, including farm visits, knowledge transfer events, and technical guidance focused on improving animal and overall farm performance to drive emissions reduction and further enhance sustainable practices on their farms.

Speaking about the launch of the programme, Francis Mallon, CEO of Liffey Meats, said: “Irish farmers are already doing a huge amount of positive work on sustainability, and this programme is about recognising, supporting and rewarding those efforts in a practical way.

"The Positive Farming Programme has been designed to help farmers make measurable progress while also strengthening the long-term resilience of their farms and our wider supply chain.”

The programme will prioritise actions that can deliver the greatest impact, including:

Younger finishing of cattle;
Improved fertiliser management;
Genetics;
Low emission slurry spreading;
Water quality protection;
Biodiversity enhancement.

From 2027 onwards, the programme will evolve into an animal-based bonus model, with participating farmers eligible for a sustainability bonus of up to 20c/kg on finished cattle where programme criteria are achieved.

Mallon added: “Sustainability must work for farmers as well as the environment.

"We want to play our part in supporting farmers through that transition by investing in knowledge, innovation and incentives that deliver real value at farm level.”

The Positive Farming Programme also aims to support wider knowledge sharing across the Liffey Meats supply base through open days, best practice events, and ongoing farmer engagement.

Stay tuned to Agriland for further updates on the Liffey Meats Positive Farming Programme.