Grass-based livestock production systems in Ireland and the UK are amongst the most sustainable in the world, where cattle and sheep convert non-edible biomass into highly nutritious, naturally produced protein, often making use of land which is not suitable for crop production, as well as providing valuable ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation.
Our Farming Strategy describes how we work with farmers, customers, industry and government to promote the widespread adoption of sustainable practices in support of a resilient supply chain.
We will inspire sustainable farming to foster better animal health and welfare, enhance meat quality and restore biodiversity, soil health and water quality.
We will be guided by data and science when setting targets, developing plans and making decisions.
We will collaborate to scale up the right solutions and innovations for a more sustainable food system.
We will focus on areas of greatest impact, taking a balanced approach to bring our communities with us along the way.
Our Approach
Across our 24 production sites we have a processing capacity of over 1m cattle and 3.5m sheep a year.
We source from 30,000 farmers across The UK and Ireland. In the UK we sourced 99% of cattle and 92% of lambs from Red Tractor Assured Farms and in Ireland we sourced 98% of cattle and 65% of lambs from farms who are members of the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme.
Our Farming Strategy describes how we work with farmers, customers, industry and government to promote the widespread adoption of sustainable practices covering 8 key topics, in support of a resilient supply chain.
Through our innovation projects, we identify best practice and solutions which will help us achieve our goals.
We collaborate directly with suppliers to accelerate progress through the adoption of these best practices on farm and through our communication and supplier engagement plan, Farm Green, we share knowledge to inspire sustainable farming at scale.
At every step along the way, we collaborate to ensure solutions and practice changes will deliver long term, sustainable impact.
Our Progress so far
Read our latest Sustainability Report to learn more about the actions we have taken so far on the journey to a better future.
Nature Based Solutions
Harnessing nature-based solutions to reduce emissions while improving efficiencies, we are working with farmers in the UK and Ireland to share learnings and success stories via videos, webinars and case studies.
Climate
We will continue to reduce emissions from agriculture and move towards lower carbon farming models.
Biodiversity
We will continue to protect nature and restore biodiversity to regenerate ecosystems, which are the foundation of a stable food system.
Soil
We will help restore soil health and fertility, improving its ability to support plants and animals, store carbon and produce quality grass for our livestock to graze.
Water
We will take care of critical water resources, to protect and improve water quality for society, nature and the quality of our food.
Genetics
We will continue to improve animal genetic performance, breeding more carbon efficient livestock which mature at an earlier age.
Nutrition and Feed
We will enhance animal nutrition so livestock mature at an earlier age, reducing lifetime emissions, while ensuring feed is from deforestation and conversion free sources.
Animal Health and Welfare
We will continue to maintain high standards of animal health and welfare, to help reduce mortality and food waste.
Meat Quality
We will continue to produce nutritious, & consistent quality meat by optimizing animal performance while maintaining high standards of animal health and welfare.
INNOVATION FARMING PROJECTS
SIGNPOST FARMS IRELAND
Our Demonstration Farms are an important part of our agricultural strategy, seeking to find the best way of producing sustainable, quality beef.
ACTIVATE UK LEADERS
Activate Leaders is our programme to help support farmers reduce their carbon emissions through enhanced support both technical and financial to understand the true cost/benefit of making change on farm.
INTEGRATED SUPPLY CHAIN
We operate Integrated dairy calf to beef supply chains in the UK and Ireland.
ACCELERATING PROGRESS
ACTIVATE IRELAND
In 2024, we launched the Activate Ireland programme in partnership with Bord Bia, Teagasc, the Irish Cattle Breeders Federation and Herdwatch.
ACTIVATE UK
Large scale farm carbon footprinting and is not yet in place in the UK, and since 2022 we have been working with Promar and Agrecalc on a project known as Activate UK, to measure emissions from farming enterprises.
CUSTOMER-LED FARMING GROUPS
The Future Flocks Programme is a pilot initiative by Dawn Meats, supporting the next generation of sheep farmers.
Farm Green
Farm Green is our communication platform used to share knowledge, inspire sustainable farming and demonstrate our activities and progress under Plan Four Zero.
Succession planning is essential for the future of our industry, and we support young farmer groups in the UK and Ireland in developing their skills, sharing knowledge and encouraging their passion for agriculture.
Through sponsorship of national conferences, programs and walk the chain events, we have established integrated supply chains with premium branded product offerings, and we actively engage with and support groups such as the Young Farmers Clubs.
Objectives
Increase Awareness and Amplify Recognition
Highlight Supplier Leadership
Build Customer Trust and Recognition
Foster Internal Engagement
Measure to Strengthen Success
Walk the Chain
We host an average of 10 walk the chain events every year, working with agricultural colleges and trade bodies to support knowledge transfer and enable participants to build a better understanding of the value in chain. We establish relationships with suppliers and inform them of the market requirements which drive the specifications for their livestock, facilitating tours of our production facilities. Topics discussed include:
- a talk on the history of the beef and lamb industry
- current market requirements
- in-depth discussions on carcase grades and weights, and meat quality
- live cattle specification demonstration
- live view of the processing and grading operations
- how to market beef and lamb
