‘The partnership allowed us to apply for grants such as TAMS’

Michael Flynn and his wife Kathleen set up the partnership with their son Paul last September, after the plans to convert from beef farming to dairying were set in motion.

“We had started out this plan in May 2019 to change to dairying and the whole process took 10-11 months, with planning, registering partnerships and other paperwork that needed to be done,” says Michael.

“The main reason for the partnership was that Paul was interested in coming on board to farm and we felt that there wasn’t a good future in beef.

“We were in beef for a lot of years and it wasn’t too bad up to a couple of years ago. You could not send a family to college on a beef farm [now].

“The partnership allowed us to apply for grants such as TAMS, and as Paul is under 35 we could qualify for grants at 60pc and I could get a 40pc grant.”

Michael has no plans to still be milking cows when he’s 70 or 80, he says, and a partnership allows a natural transition of the farm over the Paul, who is an inter-county hurler with Tipperary.

“I hope to help out Paul for a few years until we get up and going and I do intend to sit back a little after that. I’m involved in GAA myself and enjoy giving time to that too,” Michael says.

“It was great to have Paul interested in the farm. It allows him to have a percentage of the profits, so when we start milking in February he’ll be just working on the farm.”

While Michael admits it’s a big challenge to go milking cows, he says he likes a challenge, as does Paul.

“But no one I have spoken to who has changed over to dairying is disappointed with the change.

“I’m surrounded by dairy farmers, including our next-door neighbour, James O’Meara, who is a top-class dairy farmer and has always been helpful with advice.”

The plan is for the partnership to start milking 130-140 cows, all black and white, in February.

The main grant-aided spend on the farm will be the milking equipment, Michael says, with bulk tanks and feeders, as opposed to a building grant.

Under TAMS the partnership can draw back €80,000 if they spend €160,000. The Flynns are installing a

‘I hope to help out Paul for a few years until we get up and going and I do intend to sit back a little after that’

24-unit Fullwood Packo herringbone milking parlour, and progress on the build, Michael says, has been smooth with his local contractor Michael Grant, with the tanks now done and roofing taking place.

But the partnership has been very conscious of its spending.

“Kathleen is very involved in the farm and keeps a tight rein on spending,” Michel says.

“You need to have that on any farm. You have to be able to draw the line, as it’s very easy to go overboard with the spending.

“But what’s in the bulk tank at the end of the day is what goes back into your pocket.”