Teagasc has developed a share farming template agreement for dairy share-farming in the run up to the abolition of milk quotas.

The specimen template agreement was developed to help landowners and potential share farmers to form a sound legal agreement when setting up a dairy share-farming operation. The template was developed by Teagasc Farm Structures Specialist Tom Curran in consultation with a steering committee.

Speaking at the launch of the agreement, Curran said the guideline document will ensure that all essential elements are covered in any agreement. “The template agreement ensures that the land, facilities and production rights are detailed in the arrangement. The split in farm receipts and input costs is documented as well as the ownership of animals. Procedures for dealing with conflict and dissolution are outlined as well as other relevant items. Once agreement is reached between the parties, the template can be completed and signed off by those involved," he said.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes said that share farming can "provide a viable option for dairy farmers who wish to step back a bit from the day to day physical work on the farm, but want to retain a strong interest in the management of the enterprise.

“Share Farming is a very obvious vehicle for addressing land access issues and for encouraging young people who might otherwise be constrained by land availability to bring their energy, enthusiasm and vitality to the dairy sector."

The template will be available on www.teagasc.ie from 1 April, when quotas will be abolished and it will be possible to set up these share farming arrangements.