Members of the Stormont Agriculture committee seem to be onside with a suggestion from the UFU that support for young farmers should continue in 2026.

The young farmers payment and regional reserve both ended in 2025, although successful applicants do still get a young farmer top-up for 5 years.

But instead of direct financial support for new applicants, the department has come forward with a farming for the generations scheme, which includes an element focused on farming in partnerships. A pilot programme, administered by Rural Support concludes at the end of March 2026, ahead of a new scheme to be rolled out this November.

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However, at last Thursday’s committee meeting, James McCluggage from the UFU told members that his organisation had raised concerns back in September 2024.

“We said this this is not what’s needed. This is not going to work,” said McCluggage. He maintained that the actual number of farmers who participated in the pilot was “not great”.

Re-run

Farming in partnerships is in effect a re-run of the land mobility scheme. In his evidence, McCluggage made clear his view that it should be separated out from direct support for young farmers.

“A land mobility scheme is something which stands on its own,” he said.

The other elements of the farming for the generations programme have focused on advice and support to help a young farmer take over the farm, however, McCluggage said what young farmers really need is direct financial assistance.