Tirlán has unveiled a comprehensive €15 million Generational Renewal Programme aimed at supporting new entrants and ensuring sustainable succession in the dairy farming sector. The initiative was launched at Teagasc Kildalton College and reflects the co-operative’s strategic focus on addressing the critical generational crossroads facing agriculture today. John Murphy, Chair of Tirlán, acknowledged the ongoing challenges in dairy farming—from price volatility to regulatory pressures and, importantly, succession planning. He emphasised that despite these hurdles, the sector must adapt, navigate, and grow to secure its future.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, reinforced the government’s commitment to supporting young farmers and facilitating generational renewal, promising to advance the recommendations from the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming in close consultation with industry stakeholders. The new programme is designed to provide both financial assistance and advisory services within Tirlán’s catchment area, aiming to empower new entrants and family successors with practical and economic supports vital for sustainability.

Key elements of the programme include cashflow assistance of up to €50,000 over three years, delivered in the form of a 2 cent per litre bonus on milk for new entrants. These new farmers will also have the opportunity to purchase 1,000 co-op shares through a flexible payment scheme, augmenting their stake and engagement in the co-operative model. Additional supports are substantial and include a €30 per tonne rebate on concentrates for the first 18 months, a three-day dairy development course, farm advisory services, and free herd health and disease screening for three years.

Family farm successors can avail of a two-year milk pre-payment of 2 cents per litre, capped at €50,000, which functions as an interest-free loan repayable over the fourth and fifth years. This financial structuring is intended to ease the initial capital pressures on younger farmers setting up their operations. Brian Hannon, Chief Growth Officer at Tirlán, described this as a key enabler for inter-generational transfer and enterprise continuation.

Beyond new entrants and successors, Tirlán’s programme extends support to farmers expanding their herds, offering up to €30,000 in pre-payments under a similar repayment scheme. Retiring suppliers will also be honoured through partnership initiatives such as the Land Mobility Service, which facilitates land access and transition, while maintaining co-op membership, symbolising the community ethos at the heart of Tirlán’s vision. Murphy underlined this by stating the co-op’s ambition to foster “a thriving inter-generational community of farmers,” where new and retiring members are equally valued.

This targeted Generational Renewal Programme aligns with broader sectoral efforts to safeguard farming's future in Ireland. The recently launched RAISE Project, co-funded by the EU and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, similarly champions intergenerational support and empowerment across Irish agriculture, alongside key stakeholders like ICOS, Teagasc, and other major dairy cooperatives including Tirlán.

Moreover, Tirlán continues to integrate sustainability and health initiatives within its remit. Parallel to its renewal efforts, the co-operative has rolled out a €5 million TB Support Programme to assist farmers affected by bovine tuberculosis outbreaks. This includes an optional advance based on herd losses, offering immediate financial relief and helping to mitigate the emotional and economic toll of disease outbreaks, a critical issue impacting many dairy farmers.

Sustainability initiatives complement these programmes, with Tirlán enhancing its Sustainability Action Payment scheme to promote on-farm economic and environmental performance. Updated requirements for 2025 encourage practices such as using AI bulls genetically resistant to TB, adopting protected urea to reduce emissions, and improving nitrogen management. This reflects Tirlán’s adaptive strategy to support farmers not only in generational transition but also in meeting evolving environmental challenges.

Case studies echo the programme’s potential impact. For example, a multi-generational family farm in Co. Wicklow has engaged with Tirlán’s Agri-Sustainability Team, securing over €4.3 million in support through environmental and economic sustainability measures. Such examples demonstrate how generational renewal can be pursued hand-in-hand with enhancing farm resilience and environmental stewardship.

Tirlán’s comprehensive approach indicates a commitment to securing a prosperous and sustainable future for Irish dairy farming by equipping the next generation with the financial tools, knowledge, and community support necessary for success.