Teagasc has announced details of an upcoming share farming and sucession pathways open day, which it will host in collaboration with Shinagh Estates and Carbery.

The open day will take place on Gurteen Farm, Shinagh Estates, in Bandon, Co. Cork on Thursday, May 22, where a team of Teagasc specialists, co-op representatives, and industry stakeholders will be in attendance.

According to the event organisers, the goal of the open day is to showcase practical pathways for aspiring young farmers keen to progress in the industry and to demonstrate alternative transition pathways for older farmers wishing to step back and explore succession options.

Gurteen farm, which is jointly owned by the four West Cork dairy cooperatives - Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird - has been operating under a share farming model for the past eight years.

As one of the many collaborative farming arrangements practiced in the country, share farming involves the landowner and the share farmer entering into an agreement which facilitates the operation of two separate businesses on the same block of land.  

Under the Gurteen arrangement, Shinagh Estates provides the land and facilities, while the share farmer, Kerry Desmond, provides the livestock and labour.

The landowners cover the costs associated with farm maintenance, while Desmond covers livestock health and breeding costs.

All other costs are split 60:40, with Desmond covering the 60%. As a result, the monthly milk cheque is also divided on this same basis i.e., 60:40.

This existing share farming arrangement will be discussed at the open day, alongside other collaborative arrangement options available to farmers.

Attendees can also expect to hear from Padraig Cunnane, a previous share farmer, who used his time at Gurteen as a stepping stone to forward his career in farming on a leased farm.

Reflecting on the share-farming opportunity, Padraig Cunnane remarked: “It not only opened doors for me, but it also blew them off the hinges."

Speaking ahead of the event, Teagasc collaborative farming specialist, Ruth Fennell said: “This open day offers something for everyone, whether you’re a farmer looking to take a step back from day-to-day operations, or a young farmer eager to develop a career in dairying.

"As well as exploring the collaborative models used in Gurteen, we’ll be covering the financial planning, tax, and legal aspects involved, which are key areas that people often have questions about when considering share farming or succession pathways.”