Call for ghost land leasing
The Coachford, Co Cork, dairy farmer proposed a dairy expansion scheme built around leasing of “ghost land”. Presenting a dairy farmer’s perspective on expanding the business, he said leasing costs €150 to 200 per year per acre, compared to €950 over 15 years, if buying land at €10,000 per acre.
Ten year leasing in his proposed scheme would give farmers security of tenure.
He envisaged a 100-acre farmer with 50 cows entering the scheme going to 121 cows in five years — with a three cows per hectare stocking rate and replacement rearing and silage coming from the leased expansion scheme land. His proposed scheme would include stock relief for the first five years, capital allowance rather than grants — and reliefs also for a landowner exit strategy..
Mr Buckley advised expanding dairy farmers to improve their efficiency first, and then add scale. He said Ireland is the only EU member state capable of delivering more milk, to meet an expected huge increase in global demand.
