Carbery Group has today (Tuesday, August 11) launched Shared Futures, a generational renewal programme.

The programme aims to support farmer shareholders and their families as they plan for the future of their farms.

Carbery has appointed Ellen Hurley as its dedicated farm succession officer.

Carbery Group is headquartered in Ballineen, Co. Cork, and is owned by four Irish cooperatives, Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird.

It has 1,127 local farmer suppliers.

Successors

Research conducted by Carbery Group across its supply base revealed that 54% of Carbery farmers do not have a successor identified.

The research also found that 25% of Carbery shareholders plan to retire in the next five years.

If no successor could be identified, 32% of Carbery farmers said they would consider leasing the farm, 14% would consider a farm partnership, and 10% would consider a shared farming model.

Shared Futures

Carbery said the new Shared Futures programme will provide free and confidential one-to-one information sessions.

These will help with families in understanding available options for independent professional services, including legal, accounting and agricultural supports.

Carbery said it will also support farm families who may be unsure how to begin succession conversations, as well as young farmers and new entrants seeking viable pathways into dairy farming.

Ellen Hurley will work across Carbery’s supplier base, helping to connect retiring farmers with those interested in collaborative models such as share farming, long-term leasing or other partnership arrangements.

Hurley said that many farm families know that succession, farm transfer or future planning is something they may need to think about.

However, "it can be difficult to know where to start or what options may be available".

"Shared Futures is about giving Carbery suppliers access to practical, confidential information and signposting support," she said.

"Instead, it is designed to help farmers understand the questions they may need to consider, the options they may wish to explore, and where independent professional input may be required."

Hurley said for young farmers and new entrants, collaborative models can also create a route into dairy farming where a traditional farm transfer may not be possible.

"Our role is to help start those conversations earlier, provide clear information, and support a better understanding of the pathways that may help farming remain viable and attractive for the next generation," she added.

Lease arrangement

Carbery supplier Tomás White is currently in a long-term lease arrangement after gaining experience both in Ireland and in New Zealand. 

White said: "I grew up on a beef farm, but that was always part-time because there was never enough in it to sustain another full-time income at home.

"Farming was always something that interested me, so I later went to New Zealand to work and build on that experience.

"When I returned to Ireland, this long-term lease arrangement gave me a pathway into dairy farming and the opportunity to build a future in the sector."

White said that long-term leasing and share farming, which he also considered, "are not the typical entry route into dairy farming, so there was a lot to learn when I first started off".  

He said generational renewal programmes such as Shared Futures are welcome to give people practical information and help them to understand what options might be available.

"You do not always have to come through the traditional route, but you do need the right information, the right independent professional input, and the right people around you," White added.

Shared Futures will bring together a series of practical supports and events over the next five years.

These will include farm succession information stands at farmer engagement events, dedicated information sessions with professional advisors, a young farmer award, and future programmes for young farmers and new entrants.