For someone who does not want to walk away completely from dairy farming, there are now more options available than there would have been in the past, says Gráinne Hurley, Teagasc regional manager for Cork west.

“Gurteen Farm has demonstrated that very well, profit from that is outstanding,” she says.

“It really demonstrated the west Cork model, where you are managing at high levels, that you can make a good living.

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“When it’s a situation where you are looking to draw two incomes, it becomes more complicated, but there are ways it can work out.”

Highlighting the successful partnership between Padraig Cunnane, a former sharemilker on Gurteen Farm, and Conor Murphy, a Clonakilty-based dairy farmer,she said: “It’s very important to show that model. It’s not one that people are necessarily familiar or comfortable with, but it can work.

“Family partnerships might be better known, but there are other options too. Conor has spoken about the mindset changes that are needed if considering a non-family collaborative farming arrangement but it’s allowed him to stay involved.

“If there’s no identifiable successor than you have to think outside the box.

“While Padraig runs the farm, Conor is still involved but not as tied as before,” she says. “It’s a good demonstration of the other options that are out there, so if a farmer enjoys farming and wants to stay involved, I’d say talk to your co-op and local adviser to see what would work.” Leasing the farm out or changing to a drystock enterprise were the main routes taken by dairy farmers exiting the sector before but there are more options now Hurley said.

“Our own advisers have specialist training, but where they really come in is when a family needs to have the conversation on generational renewal. They can guide them on what supports to find and how to frame questions to the likes of accountants, banks and co-ops.

“Carbery and Dairygold now have people dedicated to succession on a local level.”

While milk managers play a huge role in the day-to-day dealings with dairy farmers, Hurley added that other experienced personal within the co-ops are in a position where they can pick up the signals on if a farmer is looking to cease milk production.