Liffey Meats is proud to officially launch its new Positive Farming Programme — a targeted sustainability initiative designed to support farmers in delivering meaningful environmental improvements while enhancing farm performance and profitability.
The programme reflects Liffey Meats’ ongoing commitment to proactively supporting farmer suppliers and building a stronger, more sustainable future for Irish beef production. Built around the principles of regenerative agriculture, the initiative focuses on practical, measurable actions across climate, water quality, biodiversity, soil health, animal health and farm livelihoods.
The Positive Farming Programme has been developed to reward farmers for the progress they make on farm, with a clear focus on delivering real impact where it matters most.
Supporting Farmers Through Action
Launching in 2026, the programme will initially focus on the targeted recruitment of suckler-to-beef and dairy calf-to-beef farms. Participating farmers will receive financial incentives for sustainability actions delivered on their farms, with up to €2,700 available during the first year of the programme.
Participating farmers will also benefit from dedicated advisory support, including multiple on-farm visits annually alongside knowledge exchange events focused on improving animal performance, genetics, grassland management and herd health.
The programme has been carefully designed to help farmers improve efficiencies while continuing to produce high-quality Irish beef to the highest standards.
Key Areas of Focus
The Positive Farming Programme focuses on several core sustainability pillars, including:
Climate Action
A strong emphasis will be placed on reducing emissions through improved animal performance and younger finishing ages, alongside actions such as:
- Regular cattle weighing
- Animal nutrition planning
- Grass measuring
- Improved genetics and participation in genotyping programmes
- Increased use of protected urea
- Low Emissions Slurry Spreading (LESS)
- Incorporating clover into reseeding plans
Water Quality Protection
Protecting water quality forms a central part of the programme through:
- Farmyard nutrient management mapping
- Water quality training
- Farming for Water assessments
Biodiversity Enhancement
Participating farms will also focus on enhancing biodiversity and habitats through:
- Maintaining a minimum of 10% Space for Nature
- Participation in ACRES or equivalent environmental schemes
- Installation of bird and bat boxes
- Protecting hedgerows, field margins and watercourses
Soil Health & Animal Welfare
The programme also supports:
- Regular soil analysis and nutrient planning
- Maximising grazing days
- Animal health planning
- A focus on responsible antibiotic usage
Rewarding Progress
From 2027 onwards, the programme will evolve further with the introduction of a sustainability bonus of up to 20c/kg on eligible finished cattle for participating farms meeting programme criteria.
This bonus structure is designed to reward continuous improvement at both herd and individual animal level, while supporting the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of Irish beef farming.
Building a More Sustainable Future Together
At Liffey Meats, we recognise the critical role farmers play in delivering sustainable food production and protecting the environment for future generations.
The Positive Farming Programme represents a significant investment in supporting our farmer suppliers as they continue to produce world-class Irish beef in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way.
We look forward to working closely with participating farmers as we continue building a positive future for Irish agriculture together.
