Farmers make up about 5 per cent of Ireland’s total workforce; proving that it’s still a popular option despite the obvious challenges it poses. The freedom of the lifestyle clearly holds great appeal to those who dread the nine to five lifestyle like Jerry feared Tom.

There’s no worry of restlessness in this career option; farming promises, if not threatens, to be stimulating and interesting; day in, day out. From a business perspective there are plenty of entrepreneurial opportunities for young farmers today, especially with the growth in popularity of organic produce.

Pursuing a career in agriculture does not necessarily entail a life working on a farm; there are many different areas to choose from for those with expertise in the area for example food scientists and agribusiness.

The combination of a rigorous, healthy lifestyle, physical hard work and the interaction with nature attracts many people from different backgrounds so if the demands involved interest rather than scare you, read on to find your way to becoming the next guardian of the land…

Education

In the past peers would have taught the tradition of agriculture to the next generation. Today, formal education is more commonplace. Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, now offers eleven third-level courses at agricultural college/Institute of Technology partnerships around the country. There are agricultural-related certificates and degrees covering levels six, seven and eight in the HETAC scheme. CAO points range from under 200, to over 300 for the UCD degree.

The qualifications available include Agriculture, Horticulture, Food and Bio-Resources, Agricultural Science, Agribusiness, Equine Science and Agricultural Mechanisation. Depending on the course and institution, students take subjects such as Crop & Animal Production, Farm Business Management and Marketing, and most courses feature a paid work placement.

Options After Qualification

Depending on the specialisation of a third-level course, graduates in agricultural subjects can move into a number of different areas, including farming, manufacturing, food science and agribusiness. For farmers, moving into a loosely related area such as tourism, education, research, organics or forestry is also an option. Many farmers combine traditional farming with work in one of these areas.

There are plenty of postgraduate options in agriculture-related areas for those who want to further their education and skills after graduation. Teagasc oversees lifelong learning and continuing education schemes where farmers can learn new skills and refresh existing abilities.

The Work

The duties and responsibilities facing farm labours differ widely, depending on the nature and size of the farm upon which they work. Typical jobs would usually include taking care of livestock, planting and harvesting crops, driving tractors and other machinery, repairing odds and ends around the farm itself and generally maintaining the land.

Farm managers are responsible for staff management, animal health records, buying supplies and selling produce, protecting the environment, paying bills and filing taxes. There is a need for a certain amount of business ability in dealing with EU regulations, international exports and modern agribusiness techniques.

The size of farms is ever growing and this increase calls for greater innovation and expertise with technology. Another change is the growth in part-time farming, where a farmer with a small farm may have another, unrelated profession. Beef and milk production are still by far the most popular agricultural outputs, followed by tillage, horticulture, pigs and sheep.

There are plenty of other specialised jobs within the agricultural sector. Organic farming, forestry and food safety are growth areas. Experienced farmers can work as consultants advising others in the industry. Quality control and animal grading experts can work across different farms. Graduates can also find work in the Department of Agriculture, or with bodies such as Teagasc or the EU.

Employment is also available for those interested in agricultural sales and marketing, research and education.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment

Almost a prerequisite of considering a career in agriculture should be an interest in nature and a love of the outdoors. Despite technological advances it is still a physically demanding profession; so couch potatoes need not apply!  Long hours are involved at busy times of the year, such as when animals are born or crops are harvested. Farmers may not spend much time in an office yet there is still a certain amount of paperwork; however a shirt and tie is not compulsory…

The Money

There are wide variations in agricultural incomes, depending on the size and nature of the farming business and the career route chosen. In general, agricultural science graduates earn around €26,000 per year, which rises over time to around €45,000. Farm managers can earn from €25,000 to €40,000, while farm workers can expect €19,000 – €26,000 a year, depending on experience. Naturally, these figures vary depending on the type of qualification received, your level of responsibility and the discretion of your employer.

The Jargon

Flake: A portion of animal fodder such as hay or straw, smaller than a bale and larger than a handful

Leisure farm: Land used for agriculture-related tourism or recreation

Crop Rotation: The practice of alternating the types of crop grown in each field, in order to reduce disease and maintain soil fertility

CAP: Common Agricultural Policy, an EU scheme that supports food production and environmental protection through payments to farmers

Job Titles

Farmer/Farm Worker
Farm Manager
Agricultural Economist
Agricultural Consultant
Animal Scientist
Agribusiness Expert

Further Resources

Teagasc Head Office
Oak Park
Carlow
Phone: 059 917 0200
Web: www.teagasc.ie
Email: dcarey@kinsealy.teagasc.ie

University College Dublin (UCD)
Faculty of Agri-Food and the Environment
Belfield
Dublin 4
Phone: 01 716 7194
Web: www.ucd.ie
Email: agfoodvet@ucd.ie

Department of Agriculture and Food
Agriculture House
Kildare Street
Dublin 2
Phone: 1890 200 510
Web: www.agriculture.gov.ie
Email: info@agriculture.gov.ie

The Irish Farmers Journal
Irish Farm Centre
Bluebell
Dublin 12
Phone: 01 419 9555
Web: www.farmersjournal.ie
Email: web@farmersjournal.ie

AGRI AWARE
Waverley Office Park
Old Naas Road
Dublin 12
Phone: 01 460 1103
Web: www.agriaware.ie
Email: info@agriaware.ie