A candidate for an agriculture job will have to deal with other businesses, show sound and practical competence in making good business decisions and organise associated businesses. Working outdoors, either on a farm or in the countryside, the role includes tending to crops, raising animals, planning to maximise yields, dealing with agricultural machinery and managing staff.
Working in agriculture can be split into three categories; dairy, arable and livestock. Many farms have all three while others have a mixture. The farm manager will have to keep within DEFRA's guidelines and regulations as well as produce a high volume of produce in an environmentally stable manner
As well as monitoring staff, buying supplies, driving machinery, planning finances, maintaining knowledge of the animals' well-being and diversifying to other activities, such as horse riding, and wind power generation, the agriculture manager will look towards new ways of streamlining operations
The average salary for a farm manager is £35,000 while stable hands earn as little as £15,000.
Description
Agriculture sector has to do with different other sciences such as soil science, animal science, crop science, and plant science. Some of the people working on this area are agricultural scientists and they are required to investigate new farming methods and test their discoveries at experimental farms. These scientists specialise in a specific area, such as soil, crops or animals.
Agricultural Scientists usually perform many of the following tasks:
• Developing new methods for crops growing.
• Advising other people in this area.
• Writing reports.
• Analysing information.
• Carrying out tests.
Skills
• Being patient and flexible.
• Having competent IT skills.
• Having good communication abilities.
• Being able to analyse information.
• Being accurate and methodical.
• Having interpersonal skills.
• Having problem solving abilities.
• Being organised.
• Having interest in agriculture.
• Being able to work alone.
Education
Agriculture job placements require a degree in agriculture or a related science for this area. Degree courses are offered in many colleges and universities in United Kingdom and include biological science, crop science, horticulture and soil science, animal nutrition, and animal science. Minimum requirements for these courses are two A levels/three H grades, including math, chemistry, or a science subject.
Most jobs require relevant work experience in horticulture or farm work. There are also postgraduate degrees in soil science, animal production, poultry science, and seed and crop technology that can be an advantage for some job placements.