In 2024, we launched the Activate Ireland programme in partnership with Bord Bia, Teagasc, the Irish Cattle Breeders Federation and Herdwatch. The programme is designed to assist transformation within the beef supply chain by accelerating and incentivising the adoption of science-based solutions to improve emissions efficiency on farm. These solutions identified by Teagasc aim to mitigate biodiversity loss, enhance soil health, and help combat global warming.
The programme is open to beef, dairy beef and suckler-beef farmers.
Goal
The goal of the project is to accelerate climate action by incentivising the reduction farm carbon footprints by 3% per year through knowledge sharing, training, quality data and the development of bespoke farm sustainability plans.
Progress
- An initial investment of €4.4m has been committed for the first 3 years of the programme.
- The initial group consisted of 50 farmers, and 170 farmers have been recruited as of 30th June 2025.
- Each farmer completes on-line training designed by Dawn Meats and Bord Bia to support and broaden farmers’ knowledge on soil health, water quality and biodiversity. Farmers complete the Bord Bia sustainability survey to report emissions, and they commit to a sustainability plan.
- Farm plans are developed and monitored using the AgNav tool which models the impact of the actions to assist the decision making process.
- Recommended actions are based on the 12 measures from the Teagasc MACC which identify cost effective interventions on farm, proven to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
- Activate is an industry first, where farmers can receive a sustainability dividend of up to 10c/kg by reducing their carbon footprint by 3% pa.
- Between 2018-2024 the average Activate Ireland farm carbon footprint decreased by 5.3% for the first group of 50 participants.
Key Measures Adopted on Activate Ireland Farms
88%
of farms using Low Emissions Slurry Spreading (LESS)
69%
of farms applying lime to balance soil acidity and improve soil health
62%
of farms using Protected Urea
27%
of farms expanding clover usage in swards
220 on farm actions, 5 priority target areas:
Slurry Management, Grassland Management, Animal Health and Performance, Energy Management, Biodiversity and Water Quality
