This week we feature the first group of farmers who have agreed to become part of the BETTER farm beef challenge NI.

This new initiative will be officially launched at this year’s Balmoral Show, and replaces the NI suckler beef programme which has now run across two phases, and for a total of six years.

While the programme has a new title, the various stakeholders involved in the project (the Irish Farmers Journal; ABP Food Group and CAFRE) are the same. Despite the challenges and uncertainty ahead, we collectively believe that there is a future for suckler beef production in NI, but recognise that farmers must be technically efficient, willing to embrace new ideas and willing to change. The aim of the project is simple – to make the most of farm resources by maximising gross margins per hectare over the next three years.

All of the 10 farmers involved in the new programme derive a significant part of their income from sucklers. The farms range in size, in land type, and also in location, with at least one farm in each of the six counties in NI. They are also starting from different points in their development. In all cases, when selecting participants, the willingness of the farmer to take on advice from others, and be open to change, was key. The farms will be transparent about all management decisions and outcomes, good or bad.

Ultimately, there is no silver bullet to profitable farming – it is a matter of doing everything well, from grassland management, making good silage, following animal health plans and breeding animals suited to your farm and the market. By doing that, the farmers involved in the previous programme were able to double and treble gross margins per hectare.

We hope the new programme will be of benefit to all suckler producers in NI.