At the Ballyhaise Dairy Open Day, attendees heard from David and Laura Hannon on how farm succession planning has worked on their farm.

David told the crowd that he started farming with a focus on survival and paying off his siblings.

It was only later on that his focus moved to growing a business; he could have stayed at a smaller herd size, but he pushed on.

The idea behind this was to ensure that the farm would provide David with an income when he retired.

David also told the crowd that he had tried to develop the farm to a point where it would sustainable and could provide two incomes, which would give him different options.

These options were:

He said that building the farm to its current level made all these options viable.

When asked about his family's succession plans, David said: "The most important thing is that they [his children] all got educated.

"They have an ability to earn an income in an area that they like and if they have a roof over their head, we have achieved everything we want."

Laura had studied nursing and worked in Dublin, but has since switched the operating theatre for the milking parlour.

"I always had an interest in farming; when I did the leaving certificate I wasn't sure what I wanted to do," she said.

David now undertakes more of a farm manager role, while Laura, with the farm staff, looks after the day-to-day running of the farm.

Both David and Laura highlighted the importance of communication on the farm.

David said that in his case, his father very much said how it had to be done, but he feels it is important that Laura has an input.

"I'm still learning - you're never finished learning when it comes to farming - but it's important that I pass on my knowledge to Laura," David said.

David said that when the time comes, a family discussion will be had over the future of the farm.

"It's important that everyone knows what is going on and has their input," he said.

David said that he has had one-on-one conversations with his children about the future of the farm, but that a full family discussion will be held closer to the time (of him stepping back).

He added that they are getting closer to having that conversation.

David, unlike many farmers, very much plans to retire from farming, but he wants to ensure that the farm can run without him.

"I will be happy when the farm can run without me, successfully," he said.

"I'm not sure how I will retire yet, there is still a bit of life left in me, but I will retire from farming."