NSIM

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Agricultural managers or farm managers are responsible for the daily planning, organisation, supervision and administration of activities on farm estates. Typical responsibilities include:

• forward planning

• making policy decisions

• budgeting and maintaining accurate financial records

• organising sales and purchases of livestock, farm equipment, crops and agricultural products

• handling paperwork and keeping administrative records

• recruiting, training/instructing and supervising farm workers

• making sure that work progresses satisfactorily

• ensuring compliance with government regulations and health and safety standards

• keeping an up-to-date knowledge of pests and diseases

• ensuring that the farm is profitable and meets projected financial targets

• organising maintenance/repair of farm property, equipment and machinery

• advertising and marketing farm products or the work of the farmer.

Variations in workloads relate to seasonal demands – some unsociable hours may be necessary during busy periods (eg during harvesting or lambing) and managers will be expected to deal with emergencies.

Over time, many farm managers specialise in a type of farming.

Qualifications and training required

There are no qualifications required as standard for agricultural management roles, but many managers have at least a foundation degree/HND in an agricultural, horticultural, land or animal-related subject.

Please note that employers traditionally value experience more than academic qualifications.

Key skills for agricultural managers

• Initiative

• Flexibility

• Good communication

• Analytical skills

• Commercial awareness

• IT skills

• The ability to apply technical knowledge of the environment and legislation/public policy matters in a practical environment

• Marketing and sales skills

• Teamwork and leadership

Typical employers of agricultural managers

• Large farm estates and smaller farms

• Research institutes

• Agricultural colleges

• Farm management consultancy firms

• Food production/manufacturing companies

• The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs