Certified Irish Angus in partnership with leading beef processors ABP and Kepak, has announced details of a new and enhanced bonus payment structure for its farmer members. In addition to the agreed QPS base price, members can now avail of a €0.10/kg standard bonus,  €0.05/kg genetics bonus, and €0.05/kg sustainability bonus for Angus animals that meet set criteria*.The payments will reward high farmer performance and signal a long-term commitment from processor partners to meet the growing consumer demand for quality beef that is sustainably produced.

Soaring popularity of Angus

Over the past quarter-century, the dependable bonus paid by ABP & Kepak to members of the Certified Irish Angus producer group has played a central role in the considerable growth of the Angus breed in Ireland. Over the past 10 years, annual Angus births have increased by a staggering 82% from 346,772 in 2016 to over 601,754 in the first ten months of 2025, reflecting strong farmer confidence in the breed and in the consistency of the bonus payments delivered by ABP and Kepak.

 Speaking about the initiative, Charles Smith, General Manager, Certified Irish Angus said, “The historical partnership we have had with ABP & Kepak has given our members the confidence to invest, innovate and improve their herds, knowing there is a fair and reliable return for producing quality cattle. Working together, we have delivered value right along the supply chain. As we look to the future, the Certified Irish Angus bonuses will continue to encourage best practice at every stage of production to deliver additional value throughout the supply chain from conception to consumer.”

Certified Irish Angus enhanced bonus

The new Certified Irish Angus Producer Group bonus structure has been developed around three strategic objectives:

1. Protecting and enhancing the Angus Bonus programme

The programme will continue to deliver a robust and consistent bonus payment system, safeguarding the long-term value of Angus cattle produced by Certified Irish Angus Producer Group members.

2. Driving genetic improvement

Research and trial data consistently show that higher genetic merit cattle deliver greater profitability through improved performance, heavier carcass weights, and reduced age at finish. The new bonus structure actively promotes:

• Improved breeding standards within both Pedigree Angus breeding herds & Dairy farms using Angus bulls or Artificial Insemination
• Greater clarity for finishers purchasing calves and stores
• Enhanced overall quality and consistency of Angus cattle entering the supply chain
• The adoption of CBV at farm level and supports the national genotyping programme

ICBF slaughter data for 2025 showed that Angus steers in the Top 20% for CBV had 21kgs greater carcass weight than the bottom 20%. This equated to €170 higher finish price at 27 days younger finish. This reduced slaughter age aids in reduced feed costs and increased profit margin per day.

3. Supporting sustainability on Irish farms

Recognising the importance of environmental performance, the programme also incentivises participation in the AgNav sustainability tool, supporting farmers in understanding and reducing farm emissions while maintaining productivity and profitability. AgNav is a free, digital platform for farmers developed by Bord Bia, ICBF and Teagasc and is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It can provide farm-specific sustainability action plans to farmers to reduce emissions and improve water quality.

Enhanced Bonus Payments

In addition to the agreed QPS base price, Certified Irish Angus Producer Group members can now avail of the following bonuses*:

• €0.10/kg standard bonus for Angus animals that pass Certified Irish Angus inspection
• €0.05/kg sustainability bonus for animals supplied by members enrolled in AgNav who have undertaken a minimum of three sustainability actions
  • From 2029, farmers must demonstrate completion of three selected actions to qualify

• €0.05/kg genetics bonus for Angus animals with a recorded sire or that are genotyped
  • From 2028, animals must achieve a CBV above the bottom 1/3 of Angus cattle. Currently this value will be above €100.
  • From 2029, this threshold will increase and will be verified by genotyping only

Commitment to farmers

Building on a unique partnership that spans more than 25 years, the new structure reinforces the long-standing commitment of all three organisations to delivering a secure, transparent and reliable bonus for farmer members that produce Angus cattle for Certified Irish Angus brand.

Farming for Water Initiative

The Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership project (EIP) is providing funding of €60 million to farmers to help improve water quality so that natural environments and biodiversity are enhanced while also supporting climate change mitigation efforts.

Certified Irish Angus held the event on the Lynch family’s farm due to it’s location along the banks of the Borora river on the Cavan and Meath border. Teagasc and the Local Authority Waters Programme have highlighted this catchment as a key area of focus as its current Moderate status demonstrates that the river is experiencing slight levels of pollution.

Mark McCoy, Agri Programmes Coordinator with Certified Irish Angus opened the event and gave an overview of the dairy beef enterprise on the farm. He also demonstrated how soil type affects the level of nitrate and phosphate leaching that occurs on farm.

Kepak Group sustainability officer, Luke McDermott highlighted the measures which had been implemented on farm including a pasture pump and solar powered fencer to eliminate livestock access to the river. He outlined the funding available for 43 measures to farmers in a priority area for action under the EIP. The fencing of riparian buffer zones and tree planting along the river were also completed on the farm.

Oisin Lynch and Jenny Cumiskey of ABP Food Group discussed the measures being completed on the ABP Demo Farm. These included actions such as sediment traps and willow beds to prevent farmyard run off entering the waterways. Oisin Lynch also gave detail of the ABP’s sustainability scheme, the Advantage Beef Programme and how their services such as soil sampling and slurry testing can boost farmers efforts to improve water quality.

Barbara Olwill, Catchment Scientist with LAWPRO completed a kick sample of the Borora river to show attendants how water quality is measured and the key indicators.

Fiona Doolan, Catchment Coordinator with Teagasc explained the purposes of buffer zones and how everyday tasks on farm can be altered to prevent sediment and nutrient run-off.

The event concluded with a barbecue of Certified Irish Angus beef.

The bonus for 2025 is 30c/kg for cattle slaughtered between 24th March and 30th May 2025 in any ABP or Kepak factory.

These cattle have to be pre-booked and confirmed with us using the application form and returned to the office before 7th March 2025.  

Certified Irish Angus 2025 off-season bonus, will be made available to its members once again this spring.

This off-season bonus will be paid in addition to the Quality Price System (QPS) bonus which ranges from 12-20c/kg per animal, and any other scheme bonuses the animal may be eligible for.

To avail of the bonus, animals must be booked with Certified Irish Angus before 7th March 2025.

The beef producer group is offering a bonus of 30c/kg for animals slaughtered between 24th March and 30th May 2025.

How to apply

Farmers can book-in their Angus cattle by downloading the application form and filling in the relevant details of which factory and number of animals they will have available. It can be sent back by emailing to info@certifiedirishangus.ie, by post or WhatsApp(087-6046776).

Members can also book in their cattle via out members’ online Farmer Portal.

This will allow farmers to book their Angus cattle for slaughter online with its processor partners, ABP and Kepak.

Applicants that have an Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) Herd Plus account will be provided with details of the terminal index of each animal as they make their online booking, allowing them to assess the benefits of using better Angus genetics.

Commenting, Claire McEvilly, CEO of Airfield Estate said, “As an educational trust, we are thrilled to announce this partnership today with Certified Irish Angus and look forward to working together and helping to develop a greater understanding of sustainable food production in Ireland. In an environment where less and less people know a farmer and there is a reported drop in students taking Agricultural Science for the Leaving Certificate, there has never been a more important time for people to know where their food comes from, and how it is produced.”

She continued, “By collaborating, we are confident that we can make even more impact and believe our visitors will relish the opportunity to meet the Certified Irish Angus cattle on our city farm and learn about this important native breed.”

The bonus for 2024 is 25c/kg for cattle slaughtered between 1st April and 7th June in an ABP or Kepak factory.

These cattle have to be pre-booked and confirmed with us using the application form and returned to the office before 18th January 2024.  

Certified Irish Angus 2024 off-season bonus, will be made available to its members once again this spring.

This off-season bonus will be paid in addition to the Quality Price System (QPS) bonus which ranges from 12-20c/kg per animal, and any other scheme bonuses the animal may be eligible for.

To avail of the bonus, animals must be booked with Certified Irish Angus before 22nd January 2024.

The beef producer group is offering a bonus of 25c/kg for animals slaughtered between April 1st, 2024 and June 7th, 2024.

Commenting on the announcement, Certified Irish Angus general manager Charles Smith said: “We are delighted to announce details of this substantial bonus which is on offer to our members, allowing them to make plans for spring 2024 with confidence.

“The bonus will provide an opportunity for members, helping them to offset the additional feed and fertiliser costs that are currently being experienced, and enable them to plan their spring beef production with additional certainty.”

How to apply

Farmers can book-in their Angus cattle by downloading the application form and filling in the relevant details of which factory and number of animals they will have available. It can be sent back by emailing to info@certifiedirishangus.ie, by post or WhatsApp(087-6046776).

Members can also book in their cattle via out members’ online Farmer Portal.

This will allow farmers to book their Angus cattle for slaughter online with its processor partners, ABP and Kepak.

Applicants that have an Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) Herd Plus account will be provided with details of the terminal index of each animal as they make their online booking, allowing them to assess the benefits of using better Angus genetics.