Business Sustainability Groups (BSGs) open for application

March 26, 2025

Business Sustainability Groups (BSGs) have been launched by CAFRE. These new groups are designed to support farmers improve the economic and environmental sustainability of their business.

David Thompson farms in the scenic, rolling hills of Glentinon near Strabane. In partnership with his father, also called David, they milk 150 spring calving cows on a grass-based system. He has recently turned out his dairy herd, having planned for early spring grazing.

In 20216, David joined the Dairy themed Business Development Group (BDG) in Strabane. The group was facilitated by Trevor Alcorn, a local CAFRE Dairying Adviser. Commenting on his membership of the previous group David said, “I found the group very beneficial for sharing and comparing ideas with other dairy farmers. I enjoyed the meetings which brought in a social aspect to the scheme. Visits to other group members’ farms enabled me to learn from their systems and apply knowledge gained to help enhance the efficiency and sustainability of our dairy business”.

Applications are now open to apply to CAFRE’s new Business Sustainability Groups. If you are a dairy farmer develop your knowledge, cooperation and innovation through a BSG. Apply now to improve the sustainability and performance of your businesses. Applications close at noon on Friday, 2 May 2025.

For further information on the BSG schemes click here.

Business Sustainability Groups are part of DAERA’s Farming for Sustainability Knowledge Transfer Programme.