Question: I’ve started thinking about bringing my daughter into work with me on the farm. It would help with the workload and make sense for the future, but I’m not sure if the farm can carry another person yet. Things are tight enough at times, and I don’t want to make things harder. I’m also unsure how formal it needs to be or what structure is correct. How do I know when the timing is right? What should I be thinking about before making that decision?

Answer: This is a big step for any farm, and it is not just about money. It affects workload, income and the future of the business. Taking time to think it through properly is important.

The first question to ask is simple: why are you doing this? For some farmers, it is about reducing workload. For others, it is about succession or bringing the next generation into the business. In some cases, it is about growing the farm.

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Being clear on your reason helps guide the decision. The next question is whether the farm can afford it. This is where many decisions go wrong.

It is not enough to look at a good year. You need to ask: can the farm support another income over time?

What you need to think about

If margins are already tight, adding another income can increase pressure. That does not mean it cannot be done, but it may need a different approach or better timing. It is important to consider:

  • Average profit, not just the best year.
  • Loan repayments now and in the future.
  • Planned spending or investment.
  • Household costs for both people.

    • Timing matters more than most people think. Bringing someone in during a strong period gives the business a better chance to adjust. Doing it during a tough year can make things more difficult from the start.

    It is also important to separate two ideas: your daughter working on the farm and being part of the business. Someone can help on the farm without being a business partner. Once they become part of the business, they are sharing profit, risk and decisions. That is a much bigger step.

    If the plan is to bring your daughter into the business, then structure becomes important. The structure you choose affects tax, payments and how the farm operates. This is not something to leave informal. Without clear agreements, problems can arise later around money, ownership and decision making.

    It’s important to agree

    Having this clear from the start avoids confusion later. So it is important to discuss:

  • Who does what.
  • How income is shared.
  • How decisions are made.
  • What the long-term plan is.

    • Getting advice early is also important. An accountant and agri advisor can help you understand if the numbers stack up and what structure makes sense. They can also flag any issues with schemes or payments before changes are made.

    Finally, think about where the farm is going. If you plan to expand, bringing someone in can help. If the goal is to hold steady, it may be about improving efficiency instead.

    There is no perfect time to make this move. But there is a right way to approach it. When the decision is planned and thought out, it can strengthen the farm and support the future.

    When it is rushed, it can create pressure that is hard to unwind.

    Philip O’Connor is ifac’s head of farm support which is the professional services firm for farming, food and agribusiness.

    Philip O'Connor.

    In short

    Before bringing someone into the farm

  • Be clear on why you are doing it.
  • Check if the farm can support another income.
  • Look at average years, not just the good ones.
  • Choose the right timing where possible.
  • Separate labour from business ownership.
  • Agree roles and expectations early.
  • Get advice on structure and schemes.
  • Plan for the long-term, not just now.