Northern Ireland's Innovation Farms Initiative Targets Dairy and Beef Sectors

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has announced an initiative to establish a network of 'Innovation Farms' in Northern Ireland, targeting both the dairy and beef sectors. The purpose of this project is to showcase innovative sustainable practices that align with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs' (DAERA's) Sustainable Agriculture Programme. CAFRE aims to initially sel ect seven dairy and seven beef farms, with plans to include other sectors later in the year.

The selected farms will serve as demonstration sites, hosting visits to exhibit their sustainable practices. Farmers will be chosen based on their alignment with goals of environmental sustainability and their ability to contribute to Northern Ireland's five-year action plan against antimicrobial resistance, known as 'One Health'. Other selection criteria include enhanced productivity, resilience, and an effective supply chain.

Farms without 'Officially Tuberculosis Free' (OTF) status can still apply but will be placed on a reserve list until they regain this status. Once selected, farms will host eight to twelve visits for groups ranging fr om five to 25 farmers. CAFRE will support these visits through the provision of technologists, advisers, and scheme support staff.

Each farm will receive a hosting payment of £786 (approximately €902) per visit. Additionally, CAFRE will offer performance analysis of the innovations implemented, provide diagnostic testing, and arrange for specialists to speak during farm visits. Interested farmers can find more details on the CAFRE website, with applications opening on January 26, 2026, and closing on March 6, 2026.