Does how we use land need to change for farming to remain viable?

Insight from Philip O'Connor, Head of Farm Support at ifac

Irish farming is at a crossroads. That is not a dramatic statement, nor a new one, but it is becoming increasingly unavoidable. The pressures facing farm families today, from succession and staffing to income volatility and regulation, are forcing difficult conversations about how farming is structured, how land is used, and ultimately who gets to farm in the future.

The latest ifac Irish Farm Report 2026 highlights two concerns that have topped the list year after year. For 26% of farmers, the biggest barrier to succession is that the lifestyle is no longer appealing to the next generation. For another 26%, business viability is the primary concern. These are not abstract issues. They go to the heart of whether farming remains a realistic option for young people and a sustainable livelihood for families.

Succession is about planning. Having a team in place with a good accountant, solicitor and advisor is important. While each work and advise on their individual area of expertise, they should also be aware of what each other are doing and what needs to be achieved from the succession plan for family and farm.

Farming is changing, whether we like it or not. The challenge now is deciding whether we resist that change or actively shape it.

For decades, the traditional model of Irish farming has been built around the idea that the landowner and the farmer are one and the same. In many cases, that model has worked well. It has supported family farms, rural communities and a strong sense of stewardship of the land. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that this model does not suit every family, every farm, or every future farmer.

Younger generations are more likely to seek balance, between work and life, between income and time and between risk and reward. Many are interested in agriculture, but not necessarily in the full weight of ownership, possible debt and long hours that often come with it. Others simply do not wish to farm at all, but still want to keep land in the family name. These realities are not failures of farming; they are reflections of broader social change.

As a result, we are seeing a gradual but logical evolution in how farming is organised.

Increasingly, the landowner and the farmer are not necessarily the same person. Alternative structures, including long-term leasing, partnerships, share-farming and contract farming, are coming to the fore. These arrangements can offer flexibility, continuity and opportunity where the traditional model cannot.

Going outside of the family to form a partnership or share farming agreement is a “leap” on both sides. It does take an element of faith and trust and, as it happens a bit more, more will embrace the idea but it’s a minority sport at the moment. Good communication and a clear understanding of each parties goals is key.

For landowning families with no successor interested in farming, such structures can allow the land to remain in family ownership while still being actively and productively farmed. For ambitious farmers without access to land, they open doors that would otherwise remain closed. At a time when access to land is one of the biggest barriers for new entrants, this matters.

Crucially, these models can also address the twin challenges highlighted in the Farm Report. They can improve lifestyle by spreading workload and responsibility, and they can enhance viability by allowing scale, specialisation and more efficient use of resources. They are not a silver bullet, but they are part of the solution.

None of this is to suggest that traditional family farming is disappearing or should disappear. It remains the backbone of Irish agriculture. But if farming is to remain viable for the next generation, we must accept that one size no longer fits all. Flexibility is not a threat to farming; it is a means of preserving it.

That said, new structures bring new complexities. From a tax and legal perspective, arrangements involving land use, income sharing and long-term commitments require careful planning. Poorly structured agreements can create unintended consequences, from tax inefficiencies to disputes down the line. Equally, well-designed structures can provide certainty, fairness and long-term sustainability for all parties involved.

This is where informed decision-making becomes critical. Farmers and landowners considering alternative models need to understand not just the immediate benefits, but the long-term implications. Working with specialist tax and agricultural advisory professionals can help ensure that new arrangements are fit for purpose, compliant, and aligned with family and business goals.

The bigger question we need to ask is not whether change is coming, but whether we are prepared to engage with it. Irish farming has always adapted – to markets, to policy and to technology. The way we use and manage land should be no different.

If we want farming to remain viable, attractive and sustainable for future generations, then yes, how we use land may need to change. The opportunity now is to make those changes deliberately, thoughtfully and in a way that keeps farming – and farmers – at the centre of the conversation.

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Talk to Philip O'Connor

Head of Farm Support052 7441772 farmsupport@ifac.ie Linkedin