Farm succession officer appointed in Carbery Group

Carbery Group have appointed Ellen Hurley as its dedicated Farm Succession Officer as part of the group's generational renewal programme to support farmer shareholders.

Dairy farmer and Carbery supplier Tomás White with Carbery's new dedicated Farm Succession Officer, Ellen Hurley. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan/OSM

Ellen Hurley has been appointed Carbery Group’s dedicated Farm Succession Officer.

The Co-operative group, headquartered in West Cork, has launched its ‘Shared Futures’ programme, a generational renewal initiative to support farmer shareholders and their families as they plan for the future of their farms.

The programme builds on Carbery’s existing farmer supports, continuing its focus on the realities, opportunities and long-term future of farming in West Cork.

Research conducted by Carbery Group across its supply base revealed that 54% of Carbery farmers have not identified a successor. The research also found that 25% of Carbery shareholders plan to retire in the next five years.

If no successor could be identified, 32% of Carbery farmers said they would consider leasing the farm; 14% would consider a farm partnership, and 10% would consider a shared farming model.

Shared Futures will provide free and confidential one-to-one information sessions, helping families understand available options for independent professional services, including legal, accounting and agricultural supports.

It will also support farm families who may be unsure how to begin succession conversations, as well as young farmers and new entrants seeking viable pathways into dairy farming.

Ms Hurley will work across Carbery’s supplier base, helping to connect retiring farmers with those interested in collaborative models such as share farming, long-term leasing or other partnership arrangements.

Ms Hurley, said: “Many farm families know that succession, farm transfer or future planning is something they may need to think about, but it can be difficult to know where to start or what options may be available.

“Shared Futures is about giving Carbery suppliers access to practical, confidential information and signposting support. It is not about telling families what to do, or replacing independent legal, tax, financial or agricultural advice.

"Instead, it is designed to help farmers understand the questions they may need to consider, the options they may wish to explore, and where independent professional input may be required.” 

Ms Hurley also highlighted that for young farmers and new entrants, collaborative models can also create a route into dairy farming where a traditional farm transfer may not be possible.

“Our role is to help start those conversations earlier, provide clear information, and support a better understanding of the pathways that may help farming remain viable and attractive for the next generation,” Ms Hurley concluded.

'Opportunity to build a future' 

Carbery supplier Tomás White, who is currently in a long-term lease arrangement after gaining experience both in Ireland and in New Zealand, said: “I grew up on a beef farm, but that was always part-time because there was never enough in it to sustain another full-time income at home.

"I also spent a number of years working in the dairy industry, where I gained valuable experience and knowledge.

"Farming was always something that interested me, so I later went to New Zealand to work and build on that experience. When I returned to Ireland, this long-term lease arrangement gave me a pathway into dairy farming and the opportunity to build a future in the sector.” 

Mr White said that long-term leasing and share farming aren’t typical entryways into the sector and he had “a lot to learn” when he first started off.

He praised the Shared Futures programme as “it gives people practical information, helps them understand what options may be available, and can make it easier for young farmers and existing farmers to begin the right conversations.” 

“For someone like me, it shows that there are different ways into farming. You do not always have to come through the traditional route, but you do need the right information, the right independent professional input, and the right people around you,” Mr White concluded.

The programme will bring together a series of practical supports and events over the next five years, including farm succession information stands at farmer engagement events, dedicated information sessions with professional advisors, a Young Farmer Award, and future programmes for young farmers and new entrants.

In 2026, activity will include a dedicated generational renewal presence at the Sustainability and Milk Quality Farm Walk back in July, a Carbery/Teagasc mini-clinic series in October, and the launch of the Young Farmer Award at Carbery’s Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards in November.