Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

The Work

Farm managers are responsible for making the daily decisions required for the smooth and efficient running of a farm. The manager is also involved in forward planning and policy decisions.  
 
Farm manager  is a progression from herd manager taking on more responsibility requiring a greater skill set. You are responsible for all aspects of production, stock, environmental and staff management. You have a significant level of farm management responsibility and will generally be involved in the budgeting process. You regularly communicate with the farm owner.

Farm management is essentially commercial, and making a profit is the central aim so budgeting, keeping careful records of financial transactions and making decisions about sales and purchase of farm equipment, agricultural products, crops and livestock, are important elements of the manager's work.  

Although they are, in theory, practical managers rather than administrators, farm managers have to handle paperwork. Depending on the sise of the farm they may have the assistance of clerical and secretarial staff. Supervisors are often employed to give instructions to farm workers and to ensure that work is proceeding satisfactorily. The farm manager also handles matters of recruitment and dismissal. To cope with problems, farm managers need a good understanding of practical farming.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.
• Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
• Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.
• Direct and monitor the transfer of mature fish to lakes, ponds, streams, or commercial tanks.
• Determine how to allocate resources and to respond to unanticipated problems, such as insect infestation, drought, and fire.
• Determine plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules.
• Devise and participate in activities to improve fish hatching and growth rates, and to prevent disease in hatcheries.
• Position and regulate plant irrigation systems, and program environmental and irrigation control computers.
• Prepare reports required by state and federal laws.
• Inspect facilities and equipment for signs of disrepair, and perform necessary maintenance work.

Further Information

• Farm Manager - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Farm Manager - from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Apprenticeship Route

The official entry route for a Farm Manager is through undertaking an apprenticeship.

Click here to find information on the Farm Management apprenticeship

Therer are many pathways into a career in Farming and Farm Management.  

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Animal care, Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Dairy management, Agriculture, Agricultural Mechanisation, Agriculture (Drystock Herd Management), Science/Agricultural Science - Pre-University, Agri Business Management, Agriscience, Animal care at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Agricultural mechanic, Farrier, Farm Tech & Farm management NFQ levels 6-7 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Agri Business-Dairy Management, Agri Business, Agri Science, Animal science, Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture/Agri-Food Production NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Food & Agri business NFQ level 9

Teagasc 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €60k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Salaryexpert/ Salaryexplorer/ Salaryband/ Eirieri

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Numbers employed in this occupation are too small to allow for any analysis. Employment permits issued in 2022 related to farm managers (including pig and dairy). 

• Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority

  • Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow
  • (059) 917 0200
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Farmers Association

  • Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12
  • (01) 450 0266
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here