Teagasc has organised a series of five events to mark generational renewal week, which runs from Monday 8 September to Friday 12 September.
The events list features two farm walks and three webinars aimed at those just beginning to consider the issue of farm succession up to those starting to implement succession plans.
Teagasc’s collaborative farming specialist Ruth Fennellon stated that both older farmers and younger farmers should find useful information from the five events.
“The average age of Irish farmers is currently 59. Many report that they have no identified successor or that potential successors are not planning to return home to farm. There has never been a more critical time to address this pressing issue,” she said.
“Generational renewal week aims to showcase opportunities for young people to build fulfilling careers in farming.
“It will also focus on supporting older farmers to step back when they choose to do so. The week will also focus on navigating the often-complex area of tax implications related to succession and land transfer.”
Collaborative farming webinar - Monday 8 September, 7.30pm
Teagasc is to kick generational renewal week off with a webinar examining the options available through collaborative farming agreements.
The webinar will hear from Teagasc’s own collaborative farming specialist Ruth Fennellon about the models that can aid generation renewal.
Succession and inheritance webinar - Tuesday 9 September, 7.30pm
This webinar is to focus on the process of starting the conversation around farm succession and inheritance, as well as the importance of drawing up a will.
The webinar will feature Succession Ireland’s Claire O’Keeffe, Teagasc’s Enda Geoghegan and Teagasc financial specialist James McDonnell.
Suckler farm walk - Wednesday 10 September, 6.30pm
A farm walk on the suckler and beef farm of Gerard and Shane O’Connor, Co Roscommon, will hear how the father-son duo structured their joint venture.
Ruth Fennellon will further discuss succession planning, including collaborative arrangements, tax considerations and the reliefs available.
Tax and reliefs webinar - Thursday 11 September, 7.30pm
Teagasc financial specialist Hugh MacEneaney will explore the taxes and reliefs in place around farm transfers.
Farm walk - Friday 12 September, 11am
The week will finish with a walk on the farm of Tony McCormack and Chris Cahill, Delvin, Co Westmeath.
The two farmers, who are unrelated, have been operating their 240-cow dairy herd under a registered farm partnership since 2022.
The partnership allows Chris access to land and Tony to maintain involvement in the farm while working off-farm, with the herd having doubled in size since the agreement has been in place.
Chris won the FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition in 2024.
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