Dairy farmers in Tipp are identifying their successors at a savage early age these days, The Dealer sees.

A recent survey of Centenary Co-op suppliers found that a very healthy 40% of the creamery’s farmers had a nailed down successor.

However, your trusty scribe then realised that 12% of the 40% admitted in a subsequent question that their potential successor was actually under 10 years of age.

Can’t you just imagine the talk around the kitchen table:

“Molly, put away that Barbie doll and get out your Green Cert books.”

“Ah, but Da I’ve years to study that stuff, I’m only eight.”

“I don’t care Moll, get out the books, we’re going to need that stamp duty relief.”