ABP’s farmer-led sustainability initiative, PRISM 2030 (Programme for the Improvement in Sustainability of red Meat), is showing measurable success in helping beef and lamb producers in Northern Ireland reduce their environmental impact.

Year-end data for 2025 shows that participating farms are outperforming industry benchmarks, with average carbon footprints below national norms for both beef and lamb production. William Wilson and Dale Orr are two Northern Irish farmers involved in the programme, and were recently recognised with major awards for sustainable farming practices. The programme has also been shortlisted for the 2026 NI Food and Drink Association Sustainable Supply Chain Award, supported by DAERA.

Over 50 Northern Irish farmers are engaged in the PRISM 2030 programme. As part of the programme, each farmer receives a detailed carbon footprint assessment using the Agrecalc tool, along with tailored recommendations. As a result of the sustainability work they are doing, participants have adopted a range of climate-smart practices, from rotational grazing and multi-species swards to reduced fertiliser use, improved soil health and renewable energy investments. Many have also reduced the age at which cattle are finished – aligning with wider efforts to cut agricultural emissions.

The programme supports farmers in tracking and improving sustainability performance, helping to position Northern Ireland’s beef and lamb sector as a leader in environmentally responsible food production.

To find out more about the PRISM 2030 programme you can click this link

To read about other sustainability stories from business in Northern Ireland, browse the case studies from BITC