Collaborative Farming Arrangements

Collaborative farming is two or more farmers working together in a formal arrangement for the mutual benefit of all those involved in the arrangement.

The main benefits of a collaborative arrangement are:

1. Economic – a collaborative arrangement can offer farmers increased returns through the ability to achieve scale at a lower capital cost; the reduction of costs which are duplicated between farmers; and risk sharing.
2. Skills – The possibility of sharing best farming and business management practice.
3. Social – Joint farming ventures can help to address the social challenge of the ‘one man farm’ model making farming a more attractive occupation.

The main collaborative arrangements being encouraged in Ireland are:

• Registered Farm Partnerships
• Contract Heifer Rearing
• Contract Calf Rearing
• Contract Calf and Weanling Rearing
• Share Farming - Dairy
• Share Farming - Crops

Latest Publications

• Stepping Stones to a Career in Dairy Farming (PDF)

Articles - Today's Farm

• Making contract rearing a 'win-win' for all involved (PDF) - July/August 2024
• Succession Farm Partnerships (PDF) - May/Jun 2020
• Heifer rearing under contract (PDF) - Mar/Apr 2018
• Beat the rush - start work on your Family Farm Partnership (PDF) - Sep/Oct 2016
• Contract Rearing - why it is worth considering (PDF) - May/Jun 2016
• Taking the 'Con' out of conacre (PDF) - Mar/Apr 2016
• Collaboration? - take the broad view (PDF) - Jan/Feb 2016
• Partnership Preparation (PDF) - Jul/Aug 2015
• What to consider before leasing dairy cows (PDF) - Mar/Apr 2015

• Collaborative Farming: The Options

• Neighbours in a Farm Partnership

• Contract Rearing Part 1: The Benefits

• Contract Rearing Part 2: Making it Work

• Contract Rearing Part 3: Weighing the Heifers

• Contract Rearing Part 4: Breeding Management

• Farm Succession in Action - 1

• Farm Succession in Action - 2

• Farm Succession in Action - 3