Teagasc launches GROdairy programme to tackle 38% dairy succession gap
Teagasc introduced the programme on September 9 at the Abbey Court Hotel in Nenagh, County Tipperary. Its stated purpose is to help older and younger generations assess arrangements for the future of dairy farms.
Ireland is expected to produce an estimated 8.84 billion litres of milk in 2026. Teagasc data indicates that 38% of dairy farmers above the age of 50 do not yet have a successor, while more than 60% of the country’s dairy farmers are over 55.
Interest among younger people is also recorded in Teagasc’s figures. More than 2,500 students completed agriculture courses run by the agency in 2025. The GROdairy programme will address succession through collaborative-farming demonstrations, a national farm-progression network and individual consultations.
The arrangements covered by the programme include farm partnerships, farming agreements, long-term leases and contract rearing. Teagasc says GROdairy will also offer assistance with business planning, communication and financial training. It estimates that more than 900 collaborative-farming opportunities could arise on Irish dairy farms during the next decade.
Frank O’Mara, Teagasc’s director, said generational renewal was “often seen as a challenge, but it is also a significant opportunity”. He said Ireland had experienced farmers with knowledge, land and resources, alongside younger farmers seeking careers in dairying and older farmers considering their farms’ futures.
“GROdairy is about creating pathways that can socialise and normalise models that bring the two together and give farmers more options for the future,” Prof. O’Mara said. “Planning for the future does not mean stepping away from the farm, it means creating choices.” Conor Hogan, manager of Teagasc’s People in Dairy Programme, said collaborative farming could create opportunities for people “stepping up and stepping back”. He added that GROdairy would provide guidance for collaborative arrangements, including skills and support for younger participants and options for established farmers to remain involved.
