GROdairy – The Generational Renewal Opportunity: Supporting farmers stepping up or stepping back

Paul J. Maher Conor Hogan

The Irish dairy industry is entering a period of significant change, with many experienced farmers considering how and when to step back from farming, while a new generation are seeking opportunities to build sustainable dairy businesses. Collaborative farming arrangements are becoming an increasingly important way to support this transition, providing benefits for both established and aspiring farmers. GROdairy has been developed to help farmers plan for the future with confidence. Whether you are exploring succession options, looking to reduce your involvement in day-to-day farming, or hoping to establish yourself in the dairy industry, GROdairy provides practical support, expert advice and real-life examples of successful collaborative farming arrangements. The programme is built around four interconnected pillars and works in partnership with stakeholders across the sector to support farm succession and generational renewal.

1. A network of demonstration farms
2. One-to-one consultations
3. Business planning, succession and financial training
4. A National Farm Progression Network

It forms part of Teagasc’s wider People in Dairy programme, helping to translate the growing body of research in this area into practical supports that benefit dairy farmers. This paper outlines the opportunities available through GROdairy and demonstrates how collaboration can create a positive future for Irish dairy farming.

GROdairy Demonstration Farms

Farm succession is a complex process that requires careful planning, time and consideration from all parties involved. While many farming families have successfully transferred their businesses to the next generation, a significant number of farms do not have a clearly identified family successor. This creates a need to explore and better understand alternative collaborative farming arrangements, including partnerships outside the family, land leasing and share farming, which may provide opportunities for both existing farmers and those seeking to establish themselves in dairy farming.

The GROdairy demonstration farms have been selected to show how these different collaborative arrangements can work in practice and to provide real-life examples of the opportunities, challenges and considerations involved. Eight farms, across the country, have been chosen to showcase a range of experiences and farming journeys. They vary in scale and represent different stages of collaboration, with some having more than 10 years’ experience operating within a collaborative arrangement, while others are at the beginning of their journey.

Through the experiences of these farms, farmers and stakeholders can gain valuable insights into the decisions involved, the challenges encountered and the benefits that collaborative arrangements can deliver. The demonstration farms also provide a unique insight into the motivations of farm owners who have chosen to collaborate, allowing them to reduce their day-to-day involvement while continuing to contribute to the management, development and future direction of their farm business.

Are you considering stepping back? Get your GROdairy Consult

Many dairy farmers are beginning to consider the future direction of their farms. Whether the goal is to reduce day-to-day involvement, identify a successor, or create opportunities for the next generation, transition planning takes time and preparation.

GROdairy supports farmers to explore the options available and put the right foundations in place for a successful transition. This may involve working with a family successor, considering collaborative farming arrangements (such as non-family registered farm partnerships, share farming agreements or land leasing), or growing/ optimising the farm business to ensure it is attractive for the next generation.

Through a one-to-one GROdairy Consult, delivered through the GROdairy team and participating co-op joint programmes, farmers receive independent advice and practical support tailored to their individual circumstances.

The GROdairy Consult involves three key steps:

1. Exploring your options

Every farm and family situation is different, and succession planning takes time. GROdairy provides an opportunity to explore the pathways available, whether that involves a family successor or alternative collaborative arrangements such as non-family partnerships, share farming or land leasing. Advisors will outline the options and help you understand what each pathway could mean for you, your family and your farm business.

2. Future-proofing your farm business

A successful transition starts with a strong and resilient business. The consultation includes an independent assessment of your farm to identify strengths, opportunities and areas for improvement. For farmers where succession may be several years away, improving profitability, investing in infrastructure and strengthening the business now can create the right conditions for a successful transition in the future.

3. Developing a plan for the future

Following the consultation, farmers receive a tailored business plan benchmarking current performance and identifying the key actions needed to achieve their goals. This may include improving financial performance, making strategic investments, preparing for succession or a focus on skills. Where necessary, a five-year business plan can also support informed decision-making and build confidence in the actions that need to be taken to grow the farm business.

Taking the next step

GROdairy could be right for you if you are:

• Planning to reduce your involvement in farming?
• Considering succession options?
• Exploring collaborative farming arrangements?
• Looking for independent advice to support informed decision making on the future of your business?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, GROdairy could help.

Contact your local Teagasc office, speak to your participating co-op or click on the link of your Co-op below to arrange your free consultation.

• Lakeland Daries
• Carbery
• Kinisla
• Dairygold

Looking to step into farming? Building the skills to succeed

GROdairy supports aspiring dairy farmers who want to build a successful career in the sector. Collaborative farming arrangements can provide opportunities for skilled farmers to establish themselves, and develop their own business interests.

To succeed, collaborative arrangements require a combination of technical ability, business skills and the ability to work effectively with others:

1. Technical excellence – Strong skills in animal health, grassland management, breeding, and nutrition are essential to deliver high-performing dairy businesses.
2. Business management – Understanding financial management, cash flow, budgeting, and investment planning are critical to creating a resilient farm business.
3. Collaboration and leadership – Successful partnerships depend on clear communication, shared decision-making and strong working relationships between all parties.

GROdairy provides access to demonstration farms, training, and practical supports to help young farmers to develop these skills, as well as learning from those already operating successful collaborative arrangements.

If you are interested in exploring your options? Contact the GROdairy team to find out more about the opportunities and supports available.

Conclusion

The GROdairy programme offers valuable support to those considering stepping up or stepping back. For farmers considering stepping back, the free confidential one-to-one consultation provides an in-depth review of the farm business, explores the options available, whether a successor has been identified or not, and helps put a clear plan in place for the future. For those looking to enter or progress within the dairy industry, GROdairy provides access to a unique network of like-minded farmers, and technical and financial supports to help build the skills and confidence needed to succeed. By supporting both those transitioning from farming and those preparing to step into the sector, GROdairy aims to create new opportunities and support the sector to continue to grow.