ABP introduces Blade Farming to Northern Ireland

Agriculture Minister, Michelle O’Neill launched ABP’s Blade Farming in Northern Ireland on John Rankin’s farm in Newtownards, County Down. The innovative programme, is based on the concept of finding a profitable and sustainable solution for beef produced from the dairy herd.

Agriculture Minister, Michelle O’Neill launched ABP’s Blade Farming in Northern Ireland on John Rankin’s farm in Newtownards, County Down. The innovative programme, is based on the concept of finding a profitable and sustainable solution for beef produced from the dairy herd.

New market opportunities for farmers

Blade Farming will give farmers the opportunity to supplement their existing farm incomes as well as providing new market opportunities for home produced feed. Participating farmers will receive a competitive forward price contract for the lifetime of their cattle over and above the cost of production.

Commenting at the launch, Arthur Callaghan, said:

“Blade Farming is a proven sustainable model that has been in operation since 2001. All participants will be supported throughout the programme by a team of dedicated experts from ABP while the importance of animal health and welfare is an absolute.”

Speaking about the launch, Michelle O’Neill, Minster for Agriculture in Northern Ireland, said:

“Today’s visit has allowed me to see how the newly launched Blade Farming Scheme has the potential to enhance farm profitability and provide a sustainable production model for beef produced from the dairy herd. The model of dairy origin beef was identified as a development opportunity for the beef sector in the Agri-Food Strategy Board’s ‘Going for Growth’ report.” “I am pleased to see, at first hand, that dairy farmers like the Rankin Family, have embraced this new concept in working collaboratively with beef farmers and processors to meet market challenges in this sector”, the Minister added.