Lakeland Dairies has launched its Young Farmer Programme to support milk suppliers under 35 and their family members with education on cooperative operations, financial literacy, farm succession, and dairy market insights, alongside practical on-farm knowledge sharing and discounted agribusiness inputs.
Lakeland Dairies has officially introduced its new Young Farmer Programme, designed to support and nurture the next generation of dairy farmers within its network. The initiative is open to milk suppliers and their adult family members aged under 35.
The programme aims to deepen participants’ understanding of how the cooperative operates, while equipping them with practical skills and leadership training necessary to actively contribute to its future. Topics covered include financial literacy, farm succession, inheritance planning, and insights into global dairy markets and processing operations.
In addition to classroom learning, participants will have the opportunity to engage in on-farm knowledge sharing to promote best practices. They will also benefit from discounted input products via Lakeland Dairies’ Agribusiness division, providing both educational and practical support.
Lakeland Dairies, which is Ireland’s second-largest dairy cooperative, currently supports 3,200 suppliers producing 2 billion litres of milk annually. This milk goes into over 240 products distributed to more than 100 international markets.
Niall Matthews, Chairperson of Lakeland Dairies, emphasized the significance of the programme: “This initiative goes beyond education — it’s an investment in the future of our cooperative. By empowering young farmers with knowledge and confidence, we’re ensuring strong leadership for many years to come.”
Eamon Duignan, Manager of Member Relations, encouraged all eligible young farmers and family members to apply, highlighting the programme as a key part of Lakeland Dairies’ commitment to supporting generational renewal and long-term sustainability within the dairy sector.
The Young Farmer Programme represents a clear step toward fostering sustainable farming and ensuring that Lakeland Dairies remains a robust cooperative for the next 130 years.
