Farm Manager

[Strangelybrown]

Good Evening,

Similar to my previous posts, I'm looking to learn as much as I can about agriculture to aid my decision as to whether I should pursue a career in the sector. Could anyone tell me what the main roles and responsibilities of a farm manager are? And how does the job differ to being a 'farmer'? Is there a significant difference or is it just semantics?

Also, whenever I have read articles on farm management, they tend to be focussed on arable farming. Does this mean there aren't many opportunities for livestock farm management?

 

[Lazy Sod]

A farmer manages his own farm whereas a farm manager manages a farm for an employer. The roles are similar but a manager will have to consult his employer about major decisions or expenditure.

 

[Strangelybrown]

So the day to day job remains near enough the same? Wasn't sure if a farm manager spent most of the day in an office whilst a farmer was out there doing the 'hands on' jobs?

 

[Spencer]

WORKING Farm Manager...

Just throwing that into the mix

 

[Robt]

Have you ever worked on a farm or are you a journo?

 

[farmboy]

There is a massive variation in jobs that would be advertised as a farm managers role

 

[Brisel]

There is a massive variation in jobs that would be advertised as a farm managers role

This. I am a farm manager in my 3rd job of that title. The first one was very hands on, with at least 70% of my time out of the office. The next one was a bigger farm with more staff, so more office based. The current one is a bigger business again and even less hands on though I’ve only been here a few months.

There are plenty of farm managers in mixed and livestock only farms though arable seems more common.

 

[Hampton]

This. I am a farm manager in my 3rd job of that title. The first one was very hands on, with at least 70% of my time out of the office. The next one was a bigger farm with more staff, so more office based. The current one is a bigger business again and even less hands on though I’ve only been here a few months.

There are plenty of farm managers in mixed and livestock only farms though arable seems more common.

So what you are basically saying is you are less useful than you were in your first job?

 

[Macsky]

So what you are basically saying is you are less useful than you were in your first job?

But better paid I bet, it’s a crazy world.....

 

[Brisel]

So what you are basically saying is you are less useful than you were in your first job?

That’s one way of describing it! Someone has to shovel paperwork. How much money do you make in the office vs the field? The two are not exclusive but being too busy in one does not help the other.

 

[Strangelybrown]

Have you ever worked on a farm or are you a journo?

Neither. Just trying to find out more about the industry until personal circumstances dictate that I can get some hands on experience.

 

[Rossymons]

If you want to be a manager you would be well advised to spend some time practicing your craft first.

Helping out at weekends and your spare time and I'm sure you would find some one willing to take you on.

 

[shumungus]

Farming must be classed by the masses as one of the least skilled jobs out there. From the attitude of urbanites who when speaking to you once they have found out your occupation seemingly 'dumb' their conversation down, make some comments about the weather and then remark on how it must be lovely to be out in the country with so much spare time. Then there is the current trend of plonking a few wannabe celebs into a farm environment and let them wander about doing 'farming', because you don't need any particular training and its all really easy. And then there is the OP of this post, wants to be a farm manager, doesn't know what it is, doesn't appear to know what a farmer's roll is either but sure how hard can it be? Go on ahead lad fill your boots buy yourself the Collins pocket book of farm animals and the last two issues of Farmers Weekly you will be ahead of the game, go straight in at a senior management position.
Rant over.

 

[Strangelybrown]

Farming must be classed by the masses as one of the least skilled jobs out there. From the attitude of urbanites who when speaking to you once they have found out your occupation seemingly 'dumb' their conversation down, make some comments about the weather and then remark on how it must be lovely to be out in the country with so much spare time. Then there is the current trend of plonking a few wannabe celebs into a farm environment and let them wander about doing 'farming', because you don't need any particular training and its all really easy. And then there is the OP of this post, wants to be a farm manager, doesn't know what it is, doesn't appear to know what a farmer's roll is either but sure how hard can it be? Go on ahead lad fill your boots buy yourself the Collins pocket book of farm animals and the last two issues of Farmers Weekly you will be ahead of the game, go straight in at a senior management position.
Rant over.

I'm not stating that I want to walk into a management position or anything like that. That would be completely unrealistic. I just wanted to know whether there was any great distinction between farmers and farm managers. Once I have gained some experience I will have a much better idea, but unfortunately that is not possible for me at the moment.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I think the big difference is a farmer makes (or loses!) their own money (and has a surprising amount of capital tied up in farm, even if the farm is not owed) where as a manager draws a wage and does not risk their own money.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Farming must be classed by the masses as one of the least skilled jobs out there. From the attitude of urbanites who when speaking to you once they have found out your occupation seemingly 'dumb' their conversation down, make some comments about the weather and then remark on how it must be lovely to be out in the country with so much spare time. Then there is the current trend of plonking a few wannabe celebs into a farm environment and let them wander about doing 'farming', because you don't need any particular training and its all really easy. And then there is the OP of this post, wants to be a farm manager, doesn't know what it is, doesn't appear to know what a farmer's roll is either but sure how hard can it be? Go on ahead lad fill your boots buy yourself the Collins pocket book of farm animals and the last two issues of Farmers Weekly you will be ahead of the game, go straight in at a senior management position.
Rant over.

That is a bit ignorant and a terrible post I'm afraid.

The person in the OP asked a perfectly innocent and valid question. We don't know their age, location or even if English is their first language, they merely state that they are exploring the idea of working in agriculture and a possible career path.

In reply, the person has had:

'have you ever worked on a farm or are you a journo?'

And then your missive which is hugely negative and nearly insulting.


What would the average person conclude from your remarks? That farmers are an insular and hostile bunch with attitudes that would probably fit in really well in 1900 Britain?

Sometimes the industry does itself no favours. People complain there is no new blood, no new entrants and that it's a closed shop. I remember having posted similar questions on various forums before in my youth, I don't believe I have ever had seen such hostility before in response. It does make you wonder quite how happy people are with their lot in life?

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I could take you to several farms where the farmer owns and runs the place but would never consider getting his hands dirty or even his boots.

They are very good farmers and very good managers but they don’t do “the work”, instead focusing their efforts on agronomy, diversification decisions and finances.

 

[Strangelybrown]

I could take you to several farms where the farmer owns and runs the place but would never consider getting his hands dirty or even his boots.

They are very good farmers and very good managers but they don’t do “the work”, instead focusing their efforts on agronomy, diversification decisions and finances.

So, in the case of the farmer does he/she decide how hands on they want to be, whereas for a manager the owner will largely decide that for them?

 

[deleted user 837354]

So, in the case of the farmer does he/she decide how hands on they want to be, whereas for a manager the owner will largely decide that for them?

There is no rule or logic that can be applied to all, it is a very varied industry in this regard.

There will be farmers and farm managers who do everything from milk the cows, scrape the yard etc or pay invoices but it will range from that extreme to farmers or farm managers who are nearly entirely office based.

Like it or not some of the office work is very important and a very valuable use of ones time for some businesses.

Some agribusinesses are that large (speaking more in an international context) that their farm managers may have to visit multiple sites each day or even travel internationally as part of their role as the company may have overseas operations elsewhere around the world.

Much depends on the scale, size of the labour force and nature of the business. Some specialist producers, such as field scale vegetables, have complex operations that are always doing something nearly 365 days a year.

 

[Johnnyboxer]

I could take you to several farms where the farmer owns and runs the place but would never consider getting his hands dirty or even his boots.

They are very good farmers and very good managers but they don’t do “the work”, instead focusing their efforts on agronomy, diversification decisions and finances.

A arable farmer once told me that a productive hour in the office could yield more revenue for the day, than 8 hours outside

That thought stuck with me