Farming has always been an essential job in the UK, and about 167,000 people were working as farmers in the UK in 2014. The number has since declined to 107,000 by 2020, but a significant part of the drop is likely the combined result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit.
As our economy begins to recover, the number will grow again. Agricultural industry in the UK is currently evolving to cater to the local food needs and shift to sustainable food production methods. Since a farmer’s job responsibilities directly affect the sector, there will be a higher demand for farmers.
Farmer’s Job Responsibilities
Becoming a farmer is an attractive career choice, especially if you are passionate about nature and growing food. However, before you venture into the world of farming, it is best to understand the responsibilities you will be taking on as a farmer in the UK.
Following are the most prominent job responsibilities you will have as a farmer:
1.Planting and Harvesting
Your primary responsibility as a farmer will include planting and harvesting crops. While it sounds relatively simple, both planting and harvesting involve extensive work and are labour intensive. You will also be responsible for considering weather conditions and determining the best time for planting, especially now that weather is changing rapidly due to global warming.
2.Crop Management
In addition to taking care of planting and harvesting, you will also be taking care of the crops as they grow. Crops are sensitive to weather conditions, soil nutrition, pests, etc. It will be your responsibility to monitor them and report any need for fertilisers, pesticides, etc., to keep the plants healthy and strong.
3.Livestock Management
Livestock management is also a critical part of a farmer’s job responsibilities and involves excellent teamwork and organisation. You will need to plan their grazing times and locations, take care of their feed, and manage their health.
You will also need to know how to work with milking machines and care for newborn animals with the help of a team of other farmers to prevent any disruptions in farm running.
4.Animal Transportation
Most farm animals don’t stay at the same place on the farm their entire lives. Some need to be shifted from one area to another depending on the need, and others are taken to the market to be sold off.
As a farmer, you will need to be in tune with the farm animals enough to transport them from one location to another. This part of the job can be challenging due to the size and number of farm animals; hence, you will need ample training and experience to manage it successfully.
5.Contingency Planning and Response
Emergencies can happen in all jobs and especially in farming, where a significant part of the process depends on something as unpredictable as weather conditions and temperature. As a new farmer, you will work with experienced colleagues and learn to respond to contingencies by seeing their practical examples.
You will learn several trips during your academic journey, but farming is a highly experiential field. Hence, theory can prepare you for some situations, but you will gain most of your contingency planning and response knowledge from experience.
6.Machinery Management and Maintenance
Tractors, drones, milking machines, etc., have become a common feature of modern farming, and you will be responsible for their management and maintenance. Hence, you will need to know how to operate these machines and provide some basic maintenance for their upkeep.
Benefits of Choosing Farming as a Profession
Although being a farmer is hard work, many benefits come with making a career out of it.
1.There is Global Demand for Farming
The agricultural industry is an essential sector around the globe; hence, there is global demand for people in the farming profession. The skills and knowledge are mostly universal and transferable; therefore, with the right certifications and experience, you can easily move to a different part of the world and find relevant employment.
2.You’ll Learn Practical and Technical Skills.
One of the best parts of being a farmer is learning practical life skills and technical skills on the job; knowing how to grow your food and distinguish between several kinds of flora are very useful in routine life.
You will also know several technical skills from working with machinery and gadgets like drones, tractors, etc., giving you the ability to understand their key workings. Both these skills are incredibly important, especially if you face emergencies.
3.Follow a Healthier Diet
Farmers often have a healthy diet, unlike most people from other professions, because they tend to eat what they grow. They eat a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits, keeping them nutritionally balanced, and their meals are far less processed than the ones we eat.
Hence, by becoming a farmer, you will live a healthy lifestyle, reduce your intake of processed foods, and eat fresher produce.
4.Lead an Active Lifestyle
As mentioned above, farm work is physically intensive, but it also means that that keeps you physically active. Instead of sitting behind a desk for hours at an end, you will get to lead an active lifestyle, keeping your body sturdy.
Your active lifestyle, combined with your healthier food intake, will also boost your immune system. Enhanced immunity will keep you better protected against common pathogens, improving your quality of life.
How to Apply for Farming Jobs
Farming is a diverse field, and the best way to be successful is to find an employer looking for your set of skills for the job. If you are looking for farming positions, use our job portal to connect with an employer who matches your preferences and is looking for the skill-set you offer.
In Conclusion
In short, farming is an intensive but thoroughly satisfying profession that will teach you a range of practical skills that you can always rely on. Use our advanced job portal for your search or contact us if you have any questions about our services. Our team will be happy to answer your queries. Alternatively, if you are looking to fill farm jobs on your farm, please speak to one of our consultants today on 01905 345 155 - it's our aim to find you the perfect person.
