GROdairy aims to unlock dairy farming opportunities for the next generation
The Teagasc GROdairy Programme was launched in Nenagh, County Tipperary today, Wednesday, 9 September, to help farmers plan for the future and create pathways for the next generation.
New research from Teagasc Moorepark indicates that over nine hundred new collaborative farming opportunities could become available on Irish dairy farms over the next decade, through models such as share farming, long-term land leasing and contract rearing. With the right advice, support and structures in place, the modelling suggests this figure could increase further as more farms are offered into such models.
Aligning with this, the GROdairy Programme has been developed to support dairy farmers considering their future involvement in the farm, while creating opportunities for skilled and ambitious people seeking to progress their careers in dairy farming.
The research, undertaken through Teagasc’s People in Dairy Research Programme, also indicates that 38% of dairy farmers over 50 years old have not identified a successor, highlighting the potential scale of the generational renewal challenge, but also the opportunity for collaborative farming arrangement including share farming, land leasing and contract rearing.
Speaking from the launch event, Teagasc Director, Professor Frank O’Mara said the figures point to an important opportunity for Irish dairy farming.
“Generational renewal is often seen as a challenge, but it is also a significant opportunity. We have experienced farmers with knowledge, land and resources, alongside a new generation looking to build careers in dairy farming.
“GROdairy is about creating pathways that can socialise and normalise models that bring the two together and give farmers more options for the future,” Professor O’Mara said.
In the below video, Paul Maher, Grodairy Specialist Advisor, introduces the programme:
Future planning
GROdairy, in participating co-operative regions, will provide farmers considering stepping back with access to an independent, confidential one-to-one future planning consultation with a Teagasc Joint Programme Advisor.
The consultation will look at the current farm business, the farmer’s personal and family goals and the options available for the future. Farmers will receive a tailored Action Plan, with an optional Five-Year Business Plan also available.
It will also showcase different career and collaborative pathways through a network of nine GROdairy Demonstration Farms, allowing current farmers and young people interested in farming to see how these arrangements work in practice.
For one of the demonstration farmers, Kerry Desmond, who has progressed his dairy career through share farming, having access to opportunities outside traditional family succession has been vital to allow him to develop his career as a farmer.
“Farm management and then share farming gave me the opportunity to take responsibility, build equity and develop my skills as a dairy farmer. There are people with the ambition to farm who may not have a family farm to step into. We need to show them that there are different pathways into dairy farming,” Kerry Desmond explained.
Potential opportunities into practical pathways
Dr Conor Hogan, Teagasc People in Dairy Programme Manager, said the focus is on turning potential opportunities into practical pathways.
“Collaborative farming can create opportunities for both those stepping up and stepping back,” Dr Hogan said.
“GROdairy will provide a clear roadmap for successful collaborative arrangements, giving young people the skills, support and structure they need to develop and make these arrangements work, while giving established farmers clear options to remain involved in the dairy sector.”
For young farmers, GROdairy will also establish a National Farm Progression Network, providing opportunities for peer learning, business and financial training, expert insights, and connections with other farmers.
Professor O’Mara said the message for farmers is to begin the conversation early. Speaking at the launch of the GroDairy Programme he said; “Planning for the future does not mean stepping away from the farm. It means creating choices. The earlier that process begins, the more options farmers are likely to have. I would encourage farmers to use the opportunities available through our Joint Programmes to start that process. I would like to thank the nine farmers who have agreed to allow their farms be demonstration farms for this programme.”
GROdairy will support farmers at different stages of their careers to plan, progress and create opportunities for the future.
People interested in GROdairy can contact their local Teagasc advisor or visit the GROdairy webpage.
Featured image caption: Pictured in Nenagh, Co Tipperary at the launch of the Teagasc GROdairy programme to help farmers plan for the future and create pathways for the next generation are Paul Maher, Teagasc with demonstration farmers Timmy Walsh, Castlegregory, Co Kerry, Gary Shaw, Carney, Co Sligo, Paul Kingston, Kildorrery, Co Cork, Cian Jobe, Ballymore, Co Westmeath, Linda O’Neill, Old Parish, Co Waterford, Gearóid Slattery, Ballina, Co Tipperary & Kerry Desmond, Bandon, Cork. Picture: O’Gorman Photography.