The reality of the transfer of management, ownership and knowledge of farms can be emotionally charged and fraught with difficulties.

Carrigaline, Co. Cork-based farm succession mediator, Edel Cashman, said that one of the most common things she hears from farmers is that they do not need a mediator because "there's no problem".

But she pointed out that there does not have to be a problem for a farm succession mediator to help during the process.

She said: "In the same way that you go to the gym to get stronger and prevent injuries, it makes sense to get the necessary help to avoid conflict, confusion and misunderstandings, all of which are so common with succession conversations.

Cashman shared some of her top tips for getting the process right, and the traps people may encounter along the way.

Start early

According to Cashman, it is never too early to start talking about the future plans for the farm.

The more time that people have to think about what they want, the better.

Nothing has to be written down just yet, but there is no harm talking about it. 

Get the conversation going

"It's so important to make farm succession a normal topic of conversation in everyday life," she said.

Every single farmer has to make a plan for the future, the same as every farmer has to plan for the calving season.

"The more we talk about it, the less daunting it will become." 

Knowledge is power.

There is no such thing as too much information when it comes to farm succession, Cashman said.

She advised people to get information from multiple professionals.

"The solicitor will give you their perspective, the accountant theirs, the farm advisor theirs, and the mediator theirs," she said.

"Each professional is speaking from their own expertise and skill set, and will give you different points to think about and consider."

It's not just about the future.

Like any business plan, knowing where you are going and what you want to do "makes today's decisions clearer and easier", Cashman said.

Go gently

Each person comes to the conversation with different experiences, assumptions and expectations, Cashman said.

She added: "Be ready to listen to everyone with an open mind.

"Don't assume you know what people want or expect. The farm is very often someone's whole life.

"Any decision regarding its future is huge and deserves time, respect and consideration."