The Twenty20 Beef Club calf-to-beef programme’s new and enhanced pricing structure is expected to put between, an average of €100-€200/hd above market price into members’ pockets, writes farming journalist, Catherina Cunnane.
The payments are linked to the investment farmers are making in improved genetics in beef breeding and producing in-spec cattle under the programme, which is a collaboration between Tirlán and Kepak.
In addition to increased club premium and breed bonus payments, the weight bands for eligible cattle have been “significantly widened” to offer more farmers the opportunity to take part in the sustainable programme that offers club members access to market outlets.
Summary of enhanced benefits under the programme, which rewards farmers for adhering to specific production protocols:
- “Market-leading” breed bonuses for Hereford and Aberdeen Angus.
- Twenty20 Club bonus increases to 30c/kg – including the Tirlán bonus of 10c/kg;
- Hereford breed bonus increased from 10c-20c/kg – in addition to the 30c/kg bonus;
- New continental breed bonus – 10c/kg;
- Increase carcass weight range from 260-400kg;
- Young bulls U19 months now qualify for 25c/kg T20 bonus;
- Cow bonus increase from 10c to 15c/kg;
- Also included in the new bonus payments is an increased Tirlán input bonus of 10c/kg (up from 5c/kg) for purchasing inputs as part of the fully traceable supply chain system.
Who can join?
The programme is now open for new members up to the end of June 2023 and is also now open to farmers producing young bulls.
Club members, according to a spokesperson, continue to deliver a 20+% reduction in their carbon footprint from best farming practices, and it remains a “valuable” market outlet for its co-op members’ dairy and beef calves.
The enhancements to the Twenty20 Beef Club take immediate effect for all members.
Focus on Sustainability
The ‘Twenty20 Beef Club’ was set up in April 2019, and the farmer-centric partnership approach, price certainty and economic sustainability have made it an increasingly popular option for farm families, offering them a transparent pricing model with two-year visibility.
The Twenty20 Beef Club is open to Tirlán Co-op Members and current Kepak suppliers. Members can be either dairy farmers or beef finishers, with a minimum of 25 calves required per farm.
Members enjoy rewards for adhering to production and quality protocols and are provided with a production blueprint to reduce costs.
Calf sourcing can be facilitated through the club’s buy/sell digital platform, and the closed-loop production programme means everything is fully traceable.
The programme is rooted in a preventative approach to animal health and includes production protocols covering nutrition, health, and welfare and delivering a significant reduction in carbon footprint from beef production.
Enrolment of cattle for slaughtering next year and beyond begins immediately, and interest should be directed as soon as possible to company representatives.
