BSGs – have you applied?
May 8, 2025
College of Agriculture, Food and Rual Enterprise (CAFRE) Beef and Sheep Adviser, Jack Friar recently visited Brian Cromie, a past Business Group participant. Brian farms just outside Banbridge, operating two enterprises on his 105-hectare farm. Buying-in 200 dairy origin beef calves each year alongside a sheep enterprise comprising of 450 ewes plus ewe lambs put to the tup each year.
Brian was previously a member of both a sheep and beef finishing CAFRE Business Development Group (BDG), facilitated by advisers Jack Friar and Adam Jones.
On his time attending Business groups, Brain stated “I am passionate about grassland farming. While attending the business group meetings organised by CAFRE, I expanded my knowledge of grassland management. This has allowed me to increase stocking and overall farm profitability rates over the past number of years. I have adopted several other technologies on the farm since joining the groups. Many of which were of a result of visiting other like-minded farms within the groups”.
Brian now operates a paddock grazing system using both temporary and permanent fencing with grass growth monitored weekly using a grass plate metre and computer software. Due to the benefits of peer-to-peer learning through the CAFRE led business groups Brian has made numerous changes to his farming system. This also led him to be successful in becoming a CAFRE Beef Grassland Technology Demonstration Farm (TDF).
Brian commented “moving forward my plan is to apply for the new Business Sustainability Groups (BSGs) to again further expand my knowledge. Farming is constantly changing and this in my eyes is a great way to keep up to date and learn from my CAFRE Adviser and fellow farmers”
CAFRE is currently recruiting for the new programme of Business Sustainability groups (BSGs). If you are a suckler, beef or sheep farmer develop your knowledge, cooperation and innovation through a BSG. To improve the suitability and performance of your business, click here and apply now!