The role of "young farmers" is key to the future success of Ireland's agriculture sector, the director of Dairy Industry Ireland, Connor Mulvihill highlighted today (Monday, January 20).

Speaking at the first of the Aurivo ‘Your Farm Your Future’ events, which took place in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Mulvihill stressed that "you don't have an industry without young people".

He told the audience that succession plans and ensuring there is "security in place for young people" is central to the future of the agriculture sector.

The Aurivo event showcased the positives of the Irish dairy sector and explored pathways for those looking to start a career in the sector, while also giving options to farmers who are looking to take a step back.

Starting the succession planning conversation on your farm was a hot topic at the event followed by the medium- to long-term market outlook for Irish dairy.

There was also a technical demonstration from ‘Tommy the Vet’ on calf health ahead of the spring calving season, which honed in on the importance of gut health and rumen development for calves while reducing the infectious pressures.

Tommy, a veterinary consultant with over 20 years experience in the animal health industry, puts a strong emphasis on being "brilliant at the basics".

He also told the audience at the event how important it is to ensure a good start to life for calves and also outlined the simple steps that farmers can take to head into the calving season on the best possible footing.

There was a strong emphasis today on the numerous options available to both landowners and farmers who are thinking of, or planning on stepping back from farming.

Milk suppliers, Billy McMahon and Christopher Digimas discussed how young people who may not have access to land still have different pathways available to start their career in dairy farming.

Austin Finn of Land Mobility Service also outlined the various structures around succession while agri-solicitor, Aisling Meehan, detailed the important legal aspects farmers need to consider.

Meanwhile Martin Clarke from IFAC went through the different taxations that farmers need to consider before making any decision around land and partnerships.

The discussion highlighted that are many options now available to bring enthusiastic younger people in to give a farm a new energy, direction and focus in a tailored and structured arrangement.

Clarke advised new entrants to "get your number right and get your projections right before making any decision" but he said "land leasing is the only feasible way into dairy farming".

This allows the landowner to take a step back while the farm remains in milk production.

It was highlighted that dairy farming is the most profitable farming enterprise and so continuing the farm as a dairy operation will provide the best opportunity for landowner and farmer alike.

But when asked whether getting into a partnership is expensive, Meehan said that "the grant of €1,500 which is available will cover a fair whack of the cost".

One of the other discussions which took place in Letterkenny today was on the medium to long-term demand for dairy globally.

A panel of speakers which included John Murray, director of meat, food and beverages, Bord Bia; Conor Mulvihill, director, Dairy Industry Ireland (DII); Shane Henry, head of member services, Ornua; and Aurivo CEO, Donal Tierney examined key issues in relation to the global markets.

Donal Tierney highlighted that there is a growing demand for dairy globally and while there are challenges for the sector, such as environmental legislation or geo-political relationships, there is also huge opportunity in the medium- and long-term for Irish dairy.

But Tierney also added that "the key areas for concern are farm succession and derogation and everyone in the country is now backing a derogation which is hugely important."

Tierney acknowledged the strong finish to 2024 in terms of milk price and said that 2025 looks positive as the co-op starts on a base price of over 50c/L.

Ornua's Shane Henry also talked about how Kerryygold products are not only making an impression in the USA but all across Europe, especially in Germany and "value added milk powders which go into Nigeria and west Africa have been hugely successful".

Meanwhile Mulvihill said on the panel discussion that "all the fundamentals for the Irish dairy industry are still excellent going forward and the vista for dairy is positive."

But he warned that securing the nitrates derogation should remain a vital objective for Ireland, he said that "we are going to Europe looking for a two year renewal until 2027 but we are putting a plan in place to get another four years onto that until 2031".

Separately John Murray also emphasised that food markets are going in the right direction and that 2024 had a really strong performance and "in the future, it's going to be about valorization of the grass-fed Irish products".

Murray said that dairy exports were valued at at €6.3 billion in 2024 which was by far in a way the largest food export of the €17 billion exported in 2024.