Share-farming in tillage is common and operates very well. Typically the landowner supplies the land and specific inputs, with the share operator providing the machinery, labour, technological expertise and specified inputs. Both parties agree a cropping, rotation and fertility plan. Output is shared on an agreed basis.

Share-milking is share-farming in a dairy context, and is a concept for which there is significant interest. Share-milking was not allowed under quota rules. It can provide real farming opportunities for young, skilled, dairy farmers. It can also provide opportunities for landowners, including retirement options for existing dairy farmers.

A number of share-milking arrangements are already in place with the Land Mobility Services and many more are being explored.

Some of the key advantages for share-farming include:

  • Both parties are active farmers and separate entities.
  • A new entrant or young farmer needs significantly less finance to get into a share-farming arrangement than would be the case with a lease.
  • Delivers performance and efficiency.
  • Landowner involved in the development of the farm.

    • Land mobility opportunities

    A key element of the Land Mobility Service is matching people to opportunities. This is a brokerage service to find the ideal farmer match for you. Phone 01-419 9555 to speak with one of our specialist team and provide your details and preferred option. Confidentiality is assured. Qualified leads will be passed to you for further consideration.

    Potential Share Milker Farms

  • Working dairy farm, Nenagh Tipperary, 99 acre grazing block with an additional 50 acres, 100 cows, 13 unit milking parlour, 50 cubicles and loose sheds. Land owner working off farm. Land owner does not want to go full time farming himself but want to develop the dairy farm business with a suitable collaborator. | Reference SM101
  • Dairy Farm, Kilkenny, Land owner wants to retire, no farming successors, 125 acre farm of which 75 acres represents milking block, 60 cubicles and 10 unit parlour, presently milking 65 cows and carrying beef cattle. | Reference SM102
  • South Wicklow Large beef and tillage farmer interested in developing a dairy operation on a 170 acre block, he would continue to farm other lands which would be available to support the dairy operation, the land owner is looking for someone to work with and is very open to different types of arrangement. | Reference SM103
  • Dairy Farm, NW Cork, Land owner wants to retire, no farming successors, 130 acre farm of which 100 acres represents milking block, 60 cubicles plus loose sheds and 8 unit parlour, presently milking 60 cows. Land owner looking for someone to come in on a share or lease basis. | Reference SM104
  • Mid Tipperary, working dairy farm extending to 240 acres of which 180 currently represents grazing platform, 13 unit milking parlour, 8000lt bulk tank, cubicles and housing for 150 cows plus separate calf shed. Land owner is currently milking 100 cows and carrying some beef cattle. Land owner wants to step back but would like to see the farm develop to its dairy potential now that quotas are gone. Looking for an enthusiastic skilled young person with dairy experience. The ideal collaborator would bring 50 cows getting the farm up to 150 cows on a shared basis and develop from there. | Reference SM105
  • Mid Kilkenny, large beef and tillage farm with 330 acres in the main block and a 100 acre outfarm. Outfarm perfect for heifers and silage. The land owners want to develop a dairy farm but don’t want to do it alone, they are looking for someone with dairy skills and experience to come in on a shared basis to develop the farm. | Reference SM106
  • Beef farm extending to 250 acres, South Tipperary, potential grazing block extends to 150 plus acres, excellent land quality, beef housing in place, investment will be required. Land owner is business focused, has no farming successors, want to retire but at the same time develop a dairy farm. Land owner looking for a genuine, financially sound, skilled collaborator. Land owner has an open mind as to arrangement type. | Reference SM107

    • Farms for Lease

  • Claremorris Mayo, dry dairy farm comprising a 90 acre grazing block paddocked out with good roadways and good quality grass plus another 50 acres outfarm. The owner is presently milking 80 cows but wants to step back and pursue other interests. Accommodation is available as would be the cows. Some upgrading of facilities would be required. | Reference L211
  • Castlerea Roscommon, Beef farm to lease comprising 140 acres in three blocks, owner retiring. | Reference L214
  • Ballina Mayo, ex dairy farm for lease, comprsing 125 acres of which 80ac is adjacent to the parlour. The farm milked 60 cows up to recently and is now in drystock. | Reference L215
  • West Kerry dairy farm extending to 100 acres of which 70 is grazing block, facilities for 80 cows (cubicles, slurry storage, calving, machinery, 8 unit parlour). Land owner presently milking 60 cows. Land owner would like to retire. Preferred option would be to lease the farm as a working dairy farm with cows, machinery etc to a suitable individual. | Reference L212
  • Kilkenny Dunnamaggan, 65 acre dairy farm carrying 40 cows and replacements, 60 cubicles, 6 unit milking parlour, 6000lt bulk tank. Owner was left the farm and works off farm but wants to see the farm well operated. | Reference L213

    • Partnerships

  • Dairy farmer near Charleville, Cork, milking 60 cows on 90 acres looking to farm a partnership with another land owner/farmer. Wants to expand his business through sharing investment, facilities and workload. | Reference P51
  • South Galway drystock farmer with 70 acres would like to go into dairying in conjunction with another farmer. | Reference P52
  • East Cork, dairy farmer with a 60 acre grazing block and 12 unit parlour interested in linking in with another dairy farmer in order to achieve scale and efficiencies. | Reference P53

    • Skilled Young Farmers looking for an opportunity

  • Mixed farmer Ardrahan Galway looking to engage with land owners with a view to developing mutually beneficial long term arrangements. | Reference YTF02
  • Young trained farmer with green cert returning from New Zealand would like to enter into a share farming or lease arrangement with a retiring land owner with a view to developing a profitable dairy business for all parties. | Reference YTF03
  • Cork Dairy farm manager looking for a farm to lease or share farm in Cork. | Reference YTF04
  • Young trained farmer in North Roscommon wishing to expand looking for land to lease. | Reference YTF05
  • Young trained beef, sheep and tillage farmer Nenagh Tipperary looking for additional land to share farm or lease long term, enhancement and maintenance of the farm assured. | Reference YTF06
  • Top class tillage farmer looking for lands on long lease or share farming, enhancement and care of the land assured. | Reference TYF07
  • Young, trained & ambitious farmer from the northwest with 5 years experience including management of a 500 cow dairy herd. Looking to enter a share milking arrangement. Preferably with a retired farmer or someone stepping back. All areas considered but northern half of the country is preference. | Reference DN 101