Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos & Interviews
Danny Doyle, Tillage Farmer
Danny completed a Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture and then a Level 6 Advanced Crops and Machinery Certificate at the Teagasc Kildalton Agriculture College in Piltown, County Kilkenny. He currently farms with his parents on a large scale tillage operation near Rathangan in County Kildare.
Kieran Magee, Farm Manager - Dry Stock
Kieran Magee is a Dry Stock Farmer working in Gigginstown, Co Westmeath. He spent two years in Ballyhaise Agriculture College (Cavan), doing a Vocational Certificate in Agriculture. This was a FETAC accredited course run by Teagasc and recognised all over the world. He then took a 4 year Farm Management Course in Kildalton Agriculture and Horticultural College in Kilkenny, run by FETAC in conjunction with Teagasc.
Bryan Daniels, Farmer - Dairy
After completing his Leaving Cert in Kilkenny College, Bryan went to Kildalton College to achieve an Certificate in Agriculture, and subsequently a Certificate in Farming. Coming from a farming background, Bryan has achieved several awards for the quality of his Farming.
Videos on the Web
- Farm Manager- from: Youtube Search
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.
Working Life
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
Qualities - Farm Manager
The ability to relate well to people is as important as an interest in agriculture because you will have overall responsibility for staff. Forward thinking, target driven individuals with good interpersonal skills suit this role.
Farm Managers must be capable of carrying out the normal routine duties on the farm and must be able to interpret market demands and fluctuations. They must have detailed knowledge of farm accounting, farm planning and farm financing.
Essential Skills
- Administrative herd and farm recording
- Nutrient management planning and soil fertility
- Using reports to review farm performance and target improvements
- Financial management - understanding and maintaining cash flow records
- People - supervise and organise work rotas including daily duties
- Farm (e.g. food safety, hygiene, environmental) and industry (e.g. quality, milk composition) compliance
- Responsibility for grassland, herd management (including nutrition), and milking operation
- ICT skills are increasingly valuable.
Interests - Farm Manager
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.
Entry / Progression - Farm Manager
There are many pathways into a career in farming and farm management.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: animal care, management.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: dairy management, agriculture, agricultural mechanisation, drystock, herd management, science, agricultural science, pre-university, agri business management, agriscience, animal care.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Agricultural Mechanic, Farrier, Farm Tech, Farm Management.
Search for Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: agri business, dairy management, agri business, agri science, animal science, agriculture, sustainable agriculture, agri-food production.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: food, agri business.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Professional Development
Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.
Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.
Pay & Salary - Farm Manager
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
Labour Market Updates - Farm Manager
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Managers and proprietors in agriculture; Horticulture Managers; Proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services; Managers and proprietors in horse-racing and related industries.
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).
Useful Contacts - Farm Manager
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Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority
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Irish Farmers Association
