Glanbia Ireland (GI) and Kepak Group have recently launched a new 'calf-to-beef' programme called the 'Twenty20 Beef Club'.
'Members are guaranteed market for their heifers and steers with a predictable and transparent pricing formula at time of slaughter; a production blueprint supported by safe and secure high-quality farm inputs and leading-edge technical advice,' the integrated agri-food and nutrition business outlined in a statement.
"This initiative is about two of the leading players in farm inputs and beef production being proactive in combining their skills to produce a more sustainable beef production model," explained Jim Bergin, chief executive of GI.
"This programme provides our combined Club of farmer suppliers the opportunity to collectively produce beef in a model focused on ensuring both economic and environmental sustainability.”
'Predictable Supply'
The group explained that for Kepak customers and consumers, the Twenty20 Beef Club will provide a 'secure and predictable supply' of high-quality beef with 'unrivalled traceability' and with the attributes of a 'closed loop' supply chain.
Through our collaboration we have developed a unique, if not revolutionary, solution to a longstanding quest of beef farmers for more predictability in future beef pricing and an animal-lifetime cashflow option. We have developed an end-to-end science-based blueprint for a sustainable beef product to meet evolving customer and consumer meat eating trends”.
Pilot Year
This year will be a pilot year for the programme, with a target of 6,000 calves from Glanbia Ireland supplier dairy farms in the Republic of Ireland.
Over the coming years Glanbia Ireland and Kepak have ambitious plans to rapidly expand numbers in the programme to 50,000 per annum.
The Twenty20 Beef Club is open to Glanbia Co-op Members and current Kepak suppliers. Members can be either dairy farmers or beef finishers, with a minimum of 25 calves required per farm.
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