Beef farmers who signed up for Kepak and Glanbia’s Twenty20 Club are rearing 92 calves on average through the programme.

The closed-loop programme provides finance and bonuses to Twenty20 members who buy dairy calves from Glanbia members.

“The initial aim was to take in 6,000 calves in the pilot year. Both the number of calves and the number of farmers signed up to the pilot stage surpassed the targets,” a spokesperson for Glanbia said.

The average number of calves committed by dairy farmers is 63 and by beef farmers is 92 calves.

“Currently, based on an average quoted price of €3.55/kg, the Twenty20 Club would deliver an extra €115.50 for an Angus-cross steer 330kg carcase, grading R-4- and €87.50 for a Friesian steer 350kg carcase, grading O-3+.”

Farmers had to finish a minimum of 25 dairy beef calves through the programme. Suckler calves could also be slaughtered in the scheme, subject to carcase weight limits and a one-movement rule.

When launched, the programme drew the ire of some TDs who labelled it “anti-competitive”, because beef and dairy farmers in the programme must purchase all their inputs from Glanbia.

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