Farm Manager

Farm managers run their own farm or are employed to run a farm efficiently and profitably. The farm may have livestock such as cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry, crops such as wheat, potatoes, sugar beet and vegetables, or a mix of the two.

Some farmers practice 'Precision Farming', requiring the use of new technologies, such as global positioning (GPS), sensors, satellites or aerial images, and information management tools to assess and understand variations. Collected information may be used to evaluate optimum seed-sowing density, estimate fertilisers and other input needs, and more accurately predict crop yields.

A farm manager's daily work may include:

• organising and supervising the running of the farm
• keeping records
• managing the environmental impact of the farm on the local area
• marketing and selling produce
• ensuring the farm is operating within the legal guidelines set by bodies such as the Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
• day-to-day practical work on the farm
• other activities such as managing a farm shop or running a bed and breakfast.

Most farm managers are contracted to work standard full-time hours. However, in practice, many work longer hours, especially at busy times of the year. The nature of the job means that farmers may need to be on call day and night, seven days a week, especially where livestock are concerned. The practical work is usually outdoors, in all weather conditions, although the work of a manager also involves office work.

Salaries may range from around £20,000 to £50,000 a year or more for a manager of a large farm with over ten years' experience.

A farm manager needs:

• total commitment to farming
• business management and marketing skills
• an understanding of health and safety
• to understand modern farming methods
• an interest in science and the environment.

There are approximately 150,000 agricultural businesses in the UK, employing around 21,500 farm managers. Farm managers may own their own farms or work for large estates, large food-producing companies or public organisations.

The normal route into this career is to start work as an assistant manager or as the manager of a production unit. Some practical work experience of farm work is required prior to this. Although there are no set requirements, most farm managers have a qualification in agriculture or a related subject, and usually several years' practical experience. There is a range of qualifications available at different levels. The Diploma in environmental and land-based studies may be relevant for this area of work.

Most agricultural courses include training in technical agricultural production and may be followed by a specialist course in farm business management.

Experienced farm managers may move into technical sales, consultancy and teaching, or work as an agricultural adviser for statutory bodies. Some successful farm managers may be responsible for overseeing the work of several farms.

Further details