Nature of work
A farm managers raises animals, tends crops, plans strategies for maximum yield, organizes farm administration, work machinery, organizes associated businesses and manages staff. He/she needs to have technical and practical competence, as well as the ability to make sound business decisions.Farms are generally arable (crops), dairy or livestock, and are run by management companies or single-owner farmers. Crops range from cereals, oilseed rape and potatoes to vegetables and salad crops. Livestock are usually pigs, cows or sheep
A farm manager is responsible for planning, organizing and managing the activities of a farm to meet the objectives of the owner.
The tasks include:
- Planning finances and production to maintain farm progress against budget parameters.
- Practical activities may include driving tractors, operating machinery, feeding livestock, and spraying fields, etc.
- Marketing the farm’s products.
- Buying supplies, such as fertilizer and seeds.
- Arranging the maintenance and repair of farm buildings, machinery and equipment.
- Planning activities for trainee staff, mentoring and monitoring them.
- Maintaining and monitoring the quality of yield, whether livestock or arable crops.
- Understanding the implications of the weather and making contingency plans.
- Making sure that products are ready for deadlines, such as auctions and markets.
- Ensuring that farm activities comply with government regulations.
Environment of work
A farm manager is on call day and night, seven days a week. The work pattern is seasonally influenced. He/she is often with 16-hour a day 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 labor 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 farm manager's control and fluctuations in market prices can make long-term forecasting difficult.
Although much of the work may be office-based, work activities also highly depend on the weather. A farm manager should be prepared for an element of isolation although many farming communities have a strong social life. Travel during the working day may occasionally be necessary. Where farming companies and growers have interests abroad, opportunities to work overseas are increasing.
Professional life
Most beginners in farm management expect to start as assistants or by managing an enterprise depending on their interests. After that, experience can progress to more responsibility and management.Most farms now are focused on a single activity. In order to gain a broad range of experience, a farm manager may move from one farm to another. Different areas of the country specialize in different types of production as the climate and soil determine what best grows in a particular area.
At the top end of the job, a farm manager could be responsible for overseeing the work of several farms specializing in different aspects of farming like a dairy herd, hill farm, potato production or poultry, for example. Monthly salary typically starts from 45000 SYP.
Getting the job
Most farm managers have a high school diploma. Completing a degree at a college of agriculture is becoming important for workers who want to make a living from this occupation. A farm manager typically gains skills through work experience and usually has at least a high school diploma. Traditionally, experience growing up on or working on a family farm or ranch was the most common way farmers and ranchers learn their trade.Previous hands-on farming experience and technical knowledge are as important as academic qualifications, and some employers may appoint candidates on the basis of their experience alone. Skills
A candidate should show evidence of the following skills:- Planning skills.
- Ability to analyze and solve problems.
- Good organizational and supervisory skills.
- Good communication skills.
- Responsible approach and attitude.
- Ability to work both in a team and with limited social contact.
- Ability to deal with animals with confidence and patience.
- Mechanical aptitude.
- Aptitude in working on computers.
- Ability to work independently.
Sources and references
For further information about this career, a candidate can visit the following websites: www.agriculture.com/farm-management,Farm management news and updates
www.alfalahen.org, Syrian Association of Farmers.