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Farm manager : Salary and conditions

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  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
  3. Entry requirements
  4. Training
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Case studies

  • An assistant or trainee farm manager can expect to start on around £22,000.
  • After two years' training, salaries rise to around £28,000. Experienced farm managers earn in the region of £60,000. Senior posts, including those in a consultancy or advisory role, can pay in excess of £70,000.
  • Salaries are usually dependent on experience and the size of the farm. Other benefits usually include farm produce, a pension scheme and private health insurance. Continuing professional development (CPD), e.g., in crop management is now available. Farm managers may also have accommodation included as part of their salary package, and/or the use of a vehicle and phone.
  • Farmers are on call day and night, seven days a week, especially when they are responsible for concerned. The work pattern is seasonally influenced, often with 16-hour days at busy times, such as harvesting and lambing. However, it is sometimes possible to build up a management team with advisory and consultancy input .Seasonal labour can reduce the manager’s direct involvement in the day-to-day work on the farm and is also an opportunity for anyone looking to gain farm experience.
  • Currently, only a very small percentage of farm managers are women.
  • The work may be highly stressful due to factors beyond the farmer's control: fluctuations in market prices can make long-term forecasting difficult. In recent months the strength of the euro against sterling has seen commodity prices increase.
  • Work activities are also highly dependent on the weather. You should be prepared for an element of isolation, although farming communities have a strong social and community life.
  • Travel during the working day may occasionally be needed. Where farming companies and growers have interests abroad, opportunities to work overseas are increasing.
 
AGCAS
Written by Maria Simpson, Harper Adams University College
Date: 
November 2009
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