Large Crowd attends Generational Renewal farm walk in Tipperary

 

Speaking to a large crowd of farmers attending, James McDonnell, Teagasc Farm Management Specialist said; “This farm walk showcased how four families can make a living from three farms all working together using a combination of generational renewal pathways.”

Kieran Kennedy and his brother Shane love farming, but as their own farm was too small to rear their own families, they needed to figure out a way to make farming work for them and provide an income for them.

Tommy and Imelda Walsh who have no farming successor to take on the business were looking for a way to step back but still stay involved. They leased their farm to Kieran Kennedy. Kieran and his brother Shane formed a registered farm partnership, as this allowed them to work together. This was their late fathers wish as he had seen firsthand how well they had worked together. The Walsh’s are still involved in the farm, and work with the Kennedy brothers.  This arrangement was working so well that Mike and Birdy Slattery, who farm beside the Walsh’s, who again have no farming successors of their own, saw a potential answer for their own situation. The Slattery’s spoke with the Walsh’s and the Kennedys, and a share farm arrangement was set up between the Kennedy brothers and the Slattery family.

The farm walk demonstrated how they all work together, and the importance of good communication between all parties was stressed. Mike Slattery said; “We all pull together, we know what needs to be done, and the Kennedys make the management decisions so it takes a big load off me.”

Ruth Fennell, Teagasc Collaborative Farming Specialist said; “This array of collaborative arrangements between the three families clearly demonstrates that the key factor is the working relationship between the parties involved. Good communication is key to the success of these structures.”

Padraig Costigan, Teagasc Dairy advisor based in Nenagh said; “The collaborative arrangements these four families have formed is a huge help to maintaining and growing milk production in the area well into the future.”

Find out more in the Generational Renewal Week booklet here

On Friday evening, 11 September, the final event of Generational Renewal week takes place on the Tyner family farm outside Shillelagh in County Wicklow. They operate a beef, sheep and tillage farm, with all progeny brought to finish on home produced feed.  The youngest daughter in the family Sophie has formed a Registered Farm Partnership (RFP) and Succession Farm Partnership (SFP) with her parents Colin and Janet. This has allowed for a gradual introduction of Sophie to the farming business and structured transfer of assets over the course of the succession plan. This has provided numerous advantages such as Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) scheme benefits, tax reliefs and income tax credits with has been of benefit to all. The event will commence at 6PM and all are welcome to attend. The Eircode of the farm is Y14 KT73.