Farmers participating in the Boortmalt regenerative farming programme are now eligible for lower-cost finance from Bank of Ireland, through its sustainability-linked 'Enviroflex' loans.

The Boortmalt regenerative farming programme aims to help growers make the necessary structural changes and capital investments to future-proof their tillage businesses.

Programme participants embrace a whole-farm approach - integrating regenerative practices across crop rotations rather than focusing on barley alone.

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The regenerative farming programme expanded its number of growers for 2026 and continues to grow for 2027 and further ahead.

Sustainability-focused improvements

'Enviroflex' loans are already available to all dairy farms through 16 established co-op partnerships, to tillage farmers who are members of Irish Distillers’ grain sustainability programme and most recently to beef farmers who are members of the Certified Irish Angus elevate bonus scheme.

Launched in November 2023, the loans are designed to incentivise farmers to continue implementing sustainability-focused improvements on their farms, with the product offering reduced interest rates to support investment in sustainable practices.

Boortmalt UK and Ireland managing director Stuart Sands commented: “Our new partnership with Bank of Ireland will enable those enrolled in the Boortmalt regenerative farming programme to access lower-cost financing through 'Enviroflex' loans.

"The regenerative farming programme is growing from strength to strength each year with the numbers of growers increasing and we are proud to support Irish growers in their efforts to improve the resilience and sustainability of their farms.”

Bank of Ireland agri development manager Susan Maher welcomed Boortmalt growers to the scheme and said: “Our aim in developing 'Enviroflex' was to reward farmers for the sustainability improvements they are making on their farms and expand it to as many farmers and agri sectors as possible.

"It is encouraging to see that expansion in the tillage sector and to support farmers on their sustainability journey.”