Career options for the ageing shepherd

[Chae1]

Plan has always been to drive a tractor if the body gives in before the mind
failing that stacking shelves at tesco
Neither of which give me butterflys in the belly but would keep food on the table.
I'm still young but watching the older generation with bad hips, knees, hands manual labour can catch up on you

Would you be able to drive a lorry? Work for haulier shifting sheep.

Get a job as drover in livestock market.

 

[Werzle]

Looking to the future post 55- 60, I can't see me continue to manage as a contract shepherd or employed shepherd.
No plans or wishes to retire but what options will there be?
Work beyond farming seems alien but I'm not naive to think the body will want to fight sheep into retirement.
Ideas thanks

Livestock market clerk, drover, grader or small van delivery driver for vets , farm supplies etc.

 

[Top Tip.]

If you are still keen to work with sheep,I found buying a clamp has made a huge difference to my ability to handle large numbers.

 

[ARW]

Professional market goer, leaning on gates say things like
“ooh he’s paid ower much for them”
“They’ll never make a good ewe”
“I wouldn’t have them given”
Etc

 

[bactosoil]

Have you thought about doing shepherd days ? surprising amount of city folk with small bits of land and a few sheep who want to learn more( from people with experienced rather than a a theory person) ,I know one contract shepherd who has regular enquiries , especially around lambing but around the year too , at a possible say 2 people at £150/day each for a quiet day answering questions/looking at sheep worth while I would say , chuck in a latte and maybe even more money ?, and you could travel and see them to widen scope . The other thing this guy does is shear and help with alpacas and that s proving a nice stream of money coming in to

 

[Bobthebuilder]

Would you be able to drive a lorry? Work for haulier shifting sheep.

Get a job as drover in livestock market.

Crawling about on hands and knees filling decks and washing out won't be good on 40yr old knees never mind 55-60yr old ones

 

[Northumberland]

Have you thought about doing shepherd days ? surprising amount of city folk with small bits of land and a few sheep who want to learn more( from people with experienced rather than a a theory person) ,I know one contract shepherd who has regular enquiries , especially around lambing but around the year too , at a possible say 2 people at £150/day each for a quiet day answering questions/looking at sheep worth while I would say , chuck in a latte and maybe even more money ?, and you could travel and see them to widen scope . The other thing this guy does is shear and help with alpacas and that s proving a nice stream of money coming in to

People that choose a profession in shepherding sometimes do it because they don't like working with people

 

[devonbeef]

Looking to the future post 55- 60, I can't see me continue to manage as a contract shepherd or employed shepherd.
No plans or wishes to retire but what options will there be?
Work beyond farming seems alien but I'm not naive to think the body will want to fight sheep into retirement.
Ideas thanks

train sheepdogs maybe

 

[capfits]

Drover at mart? Abattoir?
Relief Shepherd, farm sitter when folk are on holiday.
Handler with clipping squad.

 

[Tim W]

Lots of vets around here now have livestock technicians---these do locomotion scores on dairy herds, assist with TB tests , some do preg scanning and general helping vets ---i've thought it would be a nice way to keep active and would supply variation in a job?

 

[puppet]

It gets harder over 60. Managed to catch a big lame tup last night but took me 5 minutes to wrestle it into the quad trailer. My wife just shakes her head when I tell her.
Get someone in for clipping and the rest of the year isn't bad. Rollover crate to save cowping them might help.
My neighbour has lots of sheep and has couple of casual men who help out at gathering, dipping, etc. One is 80 but handy for opening gates, pushing up the race and dosing lambs. Keeps his interest up. A mart drover gets you out and bit of pocket money.
But if you enjoy it then keep going.

 

[ski]

I think there's a shortage in Northumberland / Scot Borders (just like every where) of good folk who can work self employed and turn their hand to most farm tasks. BMR says so and anecdotally I'm told so so why not have a bit of variety. I think you would soon build up base of people wanting your services.

 

[Chae1]

Crawling about on hands and knees filling decks and washing out won't be good on 40yr old knees never mind 55-60yr old ones

Isn't much crawling about in modern deckers. Have you been in one lately.

 

[Bobthebuilder]

Isn't much crawling about in modern deckers. Have you been in one lately.

i try and stay clear of anything sheep related as much as possible

 

[Nithsdale]

Professional market goer, leaning on gates say things like
“ooh he’s paid ower much for them”
“They’ll never make a good ewe”
“I wouldn’t have them given”
Etc

What's the salary?

Do I get a bacon roll and cup of tea allowance in the canteen??

Can I go to various markets (different companies)???

Where do I sign up????

 

[mf7480]

Milking in a well equipped modern parlour?

 

[unlacedgecko]

Do you need an income?

Are you looking for a job, a career, a hobby etc?

 

[Hfd Cattle]

Professional market goer, leaning on gates say things like
“ooh he’s paid ower much for them”
“They’ll never make a good ewe”
“I wouldn’t have them given”
Etc

Might even end up in Sedgemoor .....

 

[steveR]

Professional market goer, leaning on gates say things like
“ooh he’s paid ower much for them”
“They’ll never make a good ewe”
“I wouldn’t have them given”
Etc

Could maybe find a Sponsor....

 

[Henery]

If your well set up with a combi clamp or even a conveyor you will never be short of work. More older sheep keepers ( older than you) who will need help with routine jobs, doesn’t have to be a mauling back breaking job…… the sort of skills and experience you have are going to be ever more valuable in the near future. Possibly the biggest issue looming for many is the ability to get handling jobs done, the rest is do able by more senior chaps / chapeses.
if it was me I’d look at a van driving job for a vet or farm supply outlet, but I’m as lazy as a sackful of monkeys