Farm managers are either self-employed farmers or are employed to run a farm efficiently and profitably for an owner or tenant. The owner or tenant may be a single individual, a farm estate or a large company.

The Work

Farm managers work on one of three main types of farm:

• livestock (animals)
• arable (crops)
• mixed (animals and crops).

In any case, you could be:

• working out costs and production targets and planning work for the coming year
• recruiting, supervising and training farm workers
• keeping records of finances, stock, crops and animals
• buying and selling animals and produce, looking after animals and growing crops
• arranging the maintenance and repair of farm buildings, walls, hedges, ditches and machinery
• ensuring the farm operates within UK and EU legal requirements, such as health and safety and disposal of waste
• driving a tractor and using machinery such as a plough, combine harvester or milking machine
• boosting farm income through farm shops, bed and breakfast provision and recreation facilities
• monitoring the quality of produce and negotiating the price with buyers.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Starting salaries for suitably qualified farm managers in the UK tend to be around £20,000 a year. Experienced farm managers can earn between £26,000 and £50,000 a year.

You might get extra income from a bonus scheme. In addition, you may get your accommodation rent-free or at a reduced rate.

Conditions

• You would work from an office on the farm, but also be outside a lot of the time.
• When outdoors, you can be working in cold, wet and windy weather and in conditions which can be dirty, muddy and smelly.
• Your working hours would normally be long, starting early and including evenings and weekends.
• The work can be intense at certain times of year, for example lambing or harvest.
• Working with animals and farm machinery can be dangerous.
• You would normally live in a house on the farm.

Getting In

• There are relatively few openings for farm managers and entry is very competitive.
• Most entrants have a qualification in agriculture or a related subject. There are qualifications at various levels, including National Certificates (NCs), Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs), Higher National Certificates and Diplomas (HNCs and HNDs) and degrees.
• Entry requirements for NCs and SVQs vary between no formal requirements and 4 subjects at National 4 or 5. HNCs and HNDs require 1-2 Highers and degrees require 4-5 Highers. Some degrees may require Maths and 1 or 2 science subjects at Higher.
• Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) offer an HND and degree in Rural Business Management.
• The majority of direct entrants have a degree, HND or HNC. NC and SVQ qualifications are more likely to allow entry at a junior level, with the possibility of moving up to management at a later stage.
• Previous work experience on a farm is useful, and is necessary for entry to some courses.
• You usually have to spend several years gaining experience as an assistant farm manager before getting your first job in overall charge.
• You need to be fit enough to carry out active work and heavy lifting.
• You usually need to hold a full driving licence.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2018

2842

1.1 %

FALL

2023

2810

  United Kingdom

2018

24585

1.3 %

RISE

2023

24899

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You need to be able to:

• take responsibility
• be good at managing your time and work under pressure
• organise well and set priorities
• manage people
• plan budgets and keep accounts
• work in a team and on your own
• keep up to date with new processes and technology in the industry.

You need to have:

• good business sense and the ability to see ways to improve profits
• good communication and negotiation skills
• an interest in the impact of farming on the environment
• knowledge or experience of animal husbandry, if managing a livestock farm
• good health and stamina.

Training

• You would train and gain practical experience on the job.
• You would attend short courses and training sessions relevant to your work. Courses are run at a variety of institutions including agricultural colleges. Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) offers continued professional development (CPD) courses.
• You can add to your existing qualifications through part time postgraduate study. The SRUC run various postgraduate courses including Agricultural Professional Practice and Organic Farming.

Getting On

• You may have to move to other parts of the country to broaden your experience and gain promotion.
• With sufficient experience and qualifications it may be possible to become an agricultural advisor or to go into teaching or research work in a college or university.
• It can help to become a member of a professional body, such as the Institute of Agricultural Management or the National Farmers' Union.
• You might be able to become self-employed as the tenant or owner of a farm.
• There are also opportunities abroad for experienced farm managers in areas of Europe and in Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada.

More Information

Most arable farms are in the east of Scotland. Sheep farming is mainly in the north west and south, while beef farming takes place throughout Scotland but is most common in the south west. Dairy farming is also most common in the south west.

Farm manager vacancies are advertised in trade magazines, and their related websites, including Farmers' Weekly and Farmers Guardian.

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Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.