Long term leasing boost helps LMS arrange 47 more land deals

Halfway through its second year of operation, the Land Mobility Service (LMS) has already doubled the number of arrangements made for farmers considering expansion, changing enterprise, or stepping back from farming.

In its first 10 months, to last November, the LMS facilitated 11 long leases, 10 family partnerships, 18 contract rearing arrangements, eight non-dairy share farming arrangements, and six dairy share farming and partnership arrangements.

Now, 47 more arrangements have been delivered, and the LMS is working with about 200 clients, who are 43% landowners, 33% new and potential farmers, and 25% expanding farmers.

Long term leasing accounts for most of the 47 new arrangements, following a significant tax-based stimulus in the last budget.

A significant number of milkshare agreements are being made also, or are under consideration.

The LMS was set up in November, 2013, as a pilot programme centred around Kilkenny, Cork, and Roscommon, with the aim of encouraging collaborative farming and improving land mobility, and it is still in the pilot programme phase.

It was established by Macra na Feirme and FBD Trust in November 2013, supported by the Glanbia, Dairygold and Aurivo Co-ops.

To ensure clients are guaranteed anonymity and confidentiality, it is managed independent of the organisations involved.