Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them.
• Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilise soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops.
• Set up and operate irrigation equipment.
• Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment.
• Harvest fruits and vegetables by hand.
• Clean work areas, and maintain grounds and landscaping.
• Sell and deliver plants and flowers to customers.
• Sow grass seed, or plant plugs of grass.
• Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress.
• Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting.

Further Information

• Farm Worker- from: N.C.S. [UK]

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.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

There is various pathways to educational skills development for becoming a dry stock farmer. Some people come from a farming background and it's a natural path for them get into farming after leaving school; some enroll in agricultural or livestock-related courses, others may take related courses in biology or chemistry, or even opt for business training. The most important preparation for becoming a dairy farmer is to gain work experience on a dairy farm, perhaps becoming a dairy farm assistant.

Education can help any prospective dairy farmer to learn about running a farm, caring for livestock, and achieving production goals.

Unless you inherit a dairy farm, a good deal of money will be required to get started in this business - land, cows, equipment, shelter, start-up supplies. It may requires substantial loans to get started. An alternative approach is to rent an existing dairy farm and start out with a minimal purchase of cows.

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, 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.

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

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €46k

Salaries vary by employer, locaton, duties, role, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Agricultural technicians; herd managers.

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

Farmers had a negative employment growth over the five-year period, with employment levels remaining broadly unchanged between 2021 and 2022.

Of those employed as farmers, 61% were aged 55 years or older which will likely impact future employment numbers in this occupation.

• Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority

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

• Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association

  • Main St, Newtownforbes, Co. Longford
  • 090 643 3680
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Farmers Association

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

• Clonakilty Agricultural College

  • Darrara, Clonakilty, Co.Cork
  • 059 917 0200
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Mountbellew Agricultural College

  • Mountbellew, Co.Galway
  • (090) 96 79205
  • Click Here