Farm Manager
Farm managers oversee the running of a farm as an efficient and profitable business. The work involved would depend partly on the type of farm, which could be:
- Livestock - raising animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry
- Arable - growing crops such as cereals (wheat, barley and oats), potatoes, sugar beet, vegetables and oil seed rape
- Mixed - combining livestock and arable farming.
Managers might run a whole estate or just part of it, such as a pig unit or arable unit. They plan the running of the farm and how the budget is spent, set targets for how much the farm is to produce over the next year, employ staff, organise their work and manage them. They also plan livestock breeding, decide when to plant crops, buy materials such as fertilisers and animal feed, and sell their produce at the appropriate time.
Most farm managers undertake at least some of the day-to-day practical work on the farm, which can include feeding animals as well as organising breeding and milking. They may also drive tractors and other machinery for ploughing, spreading fertiliser and harvesting crops.
Entry level
Although there are no set entry requirements, you are likely to need a recognised qualification in agriculture. This could be, for example, a n NVQ/SVQ in Agricultural Crop Production or Livestock Production Level 3, Agriculture (Livestock Management) Level 4, or Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture (Crop Management) Level 4. Alternatively, you might study full-time for a higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate qualification in a subject relating to agriculture or land management.
You would need at least one A level or two H grades, often in science subjects, for the higher national diploma, and similar qualifications for a foundation degree in agricultural subjects. For an honours degree, you would need at least two A levels/three H grades. Chemistry and biology are often required or preferred subjects.
For postgraduate courses, you would need a relevant first degree or higher national diploma.
In all cases, you must have previous experience of farm work.
Making the grade
You could study part-time for agricultural NVQ/SVQ qualifications at the same time as working on a farm. You are unlikely to go straight into work as a farm manager because you would need several years' experience in farming. All farm managers need to keep up to date with the latest developments in agriculture. You could attend short courses at colleges of agriculture, or study by distance learning.
There are now a number of full-time and part-time courses offered throughout the UK that specialise in organic farming. These range from a City & Guilds national certificate, to degrees and postgraduate level courses.
Personal qualities
As a farm manager, you should be fit, energetic and strong, willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions, and always looking to find and develop new activities to keep the farm profitable.
In addition to your farming skills, you should be good with figures for budgeting and keeping financial records, and you must have a flair for business management and marketing. You would need to be able to communicate well with such people as farm workers, accountants and buyers.
Looking ahead
Farming is going through difficult times at present and this could affect the number of managerial jobs available. There is usually a lot of competition for farm manager vacancies, and the number of posts is decreasing as farms get larger. You might well improve your overall prospects by trying to apply innovative thinking to the process of moving away from intensive agricultural production towards such areas as leisure pursuits, organic farming and conservation.
You would probably start as an assistant manager or manager of a unit before becoming a farm manager.
Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include countryside conservation officer, countryside ranger, fish farmer, forest manager, horticultural manager, land agent or rural practice surveyor.
Take-home pay
You might start on between £15,000 and £20,000 a year, rising with experience to between £24,000 and £30,000 a year. You could have a car and a house on the farm as part of your employment package and you may even be able to participate in a profit-sharing scheme.
As an experienced manager of a large farm, you could earn over £40,000 a year.
Effects
There are no set hours for farm managers and the demands of the job vary at different times of the year. You are likely to work long hours at busy times, with early morning, evening and weekend work possible.
Sources of information
Lantra: www.lantra.co.uk
Growing Careers Partnership: www.growing-careers.com.
CRCI: HA
