ABP Food Group and Dale Farm have launched a joint initiative to develop a sustainable supply chain for dairy-bred beef calves.

The partnership, known as Horizon, aims to provide additional income through a fully transparent pricing model.

Dale Farm suppliers participating in the scheme must produce calves from AI Angus sires with high EBVs and proven terminal traits.

Semen will be supplied by Genus and AI Services, with each company offering two recommended sires.

All participating farms must follow health and welfare protocols set by ABP

All dairy farms must be TB-free, and calves will be monitored using ZST tests to determine that they have received adequate colostrum.

Concentrate rations fed to calves under the scheme must be purchased through United Feeds.

All participating farms must follow health and welfare protocols set by ABP, and participate in physical and financial benchmarking.

All finishing units must be farm quality assured. ABP has also offered a cull cow collection service to calf suppliers.

Options

Horizon aims to source 2,000 calves from Dale Farm members in its first year, with three different options for participants.

Under option one, dairy farmers can sell Angus calves to ABP directly at four weeks old at a target of 45kg liveweight.

Price will reflect market value with a premium on calves sired by the recommended bulls.

The final option covers calves from four months old, to slaughter at 18 to 20 months at a carcase above 300kg deadweight

The second option is open to ABP and Dale Farm suppliers rearing calves between four and 16 weeks of age, with a minimum of 500 calves reared annually.

Farmers will receive a management fee per calf with top-ups for hitting specific targets. ABP covers concentrates, veterinary inputs, milk powder and vaccines.

The final option covers calves from four months old, to slaughter at 18 to 20 months at a carcase above 300kg deadweight.

Calves are purchased from ABP with all input costs covered and a guaranteed margin payable on finished cattle.

Farmers can choose across the options, depending on what suits the farm best.

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