Purpose
ABP partnered with Good Herdsmen Organic Meats in 2010. The aim was to build a trusted organic supply chain with premium product quality, while supporting farm families committed to sustainable production. The ultimate goal is to enhance the economic and environmental viability of organic beef farming and maintain leadership within the Irish organic sector.
Action
The family behind the Good Herdsmen – whose flagship site sits in the heart of the Golden Vale in Tipperary – has a long history in livestock production. In 1998, they decided to convert their 1,300-acre farm to organic.
Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength. Aided by its partnership with ABP, Good Herdsmen Organic Meats has become Ireland’s largest processor of organic beef, handling around 95% of the national organic kill. The business works with over 2,000 farmers and processes approximately 8,000 finished organic cattle each year. Still, quality remains central to its proposition: more than 60% of all cattle achieves R grade and an average carcass weight of 320 kg.
The Good Herdsman’s founding site in Tipperary acts as a shining example. The 100% forage-based, closed gate system focuses exclusively on beef production and winters over 1,200 cattle annually, with a commitment to outdoor grazing for up to 240 days a year. Its system is guided by six core pillars: soil health, livestock welfare, crop diversity, biodiversity, water quality and farmer education. These principles underpin everything from grazing management to its commitment to farm training events.
Impact
The partnership between Good Herdsmen and ABP has helped build one of the most robust and credible organic beef supply chains in Europe. Farmers benefit from strong market demand, guaranteed quality processes and a system that rewards high-welfare, pasture-based production.
The focus on soil health, biodiversity and regenerative principles supports long-term environmental gains, while consistent product quality strengthens consumer trust and organic market growth.