The Irish Hereford Prime beef producer group has confirmed an official bonus of 25c/kg for all Hereford cattle pre-booked this spring and early summer period.

The bonus will be available at all ABP Food Group and Kepak sites throughout Ireland for qualifying steers and heifers.

According to Irish Hereford Prime, only Hereford animals booked in with the producer group by March 7, 2025, will be eligible for this offseason bonus.

The spring/summer 2025 offseason bonus will be available from March 24, 2025, to May 23, 2025 (weeks 13-21).

The producer group which has been in existence for almost 28 years said that "demand for Irish Hereford Prime beef from its customers at both a retail level in Supervalu stores and in restaurants throughout Ireland is standing the test of time.

"A rise in beef sales with European buyers in recent years has seen the group continue to increase the number of cattle going through the scheme on a weekly basis, with a consistent 52-week supply from members now essential for these customers.

"The confirmed bonus for the period up until May 23 is a further sign to all farmers that the demand for branded Irish Hereford Prime beef is very strong," the producer group said.

"While increasingly meeting sustainability targets at farm level with cattle finishing at younger ages, maintaining carcass weight and conformation specifications is essential into the future," the group added.

The Hereford Beef Sustainability Programme in conjunction with Dovea Genetics has seen six Hereford bulls selected and tested through the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) Gene Ireland Dairy Beef Programme to date. These bulls are available commercially to suckler and dairy farmers.

The breeding policy of the programme aims to make easy calving, short gestation Hereford bulls available at farm level, while also aiming to offer high terminal carcass performance "to deliver a Hereford beef animal that continues to achieve targeted improvements".

The producer group said it recognises that an increase in the rate of genetic gain is linked to profitability, sustainability, and climate efficiency.

"A reduction in the age at slaughter while maintaining animal daily live weight gain will ensure lower overall methane emissions/kg of beef produced, thereby strengthening the sustainability pillar on which the Irish Hereford Prime brand is built."