15 Aug, 2022/ by National Accident Helpline /News
Why work in agriculture?
Careers in agricultureare becoming increasingly popular. While most people have settled into remote working arrangements, there are others who are swapping the office for nature. Agriculture offers a variety of interesting opportunities for people from all walks of life, as well as competitive salaries and increased job security.
What types of careers in agriculture are there?
There are many exciting types of careers in agriculture that go beyond mud, wellies and farming. These roles range from the process of food production to sales, administration, research and even agricultural science jobs. Here is a list of agricultural careers:
- Farm worker
- Purchasing agent
- Warehouse manager
- Crop manager
- Agricultural engineer
- Research scientist
- Feed mill manager
- Rural surveyor
Depending on your skill level and ambitions for the future, you'll be able to find something that's right for you in agriculture.
Is agriculture a good career choice?
Many careers in agriculture can be enjoyable and fulfilling. It's a diverse industry, offering many different roles and global opportunities in innovative sectors. Some people choose to work in agriculture because it also offers an important contribution to everyday life. It's the main source of income for most developing countries, and one of the biggest sources of employment.
Modern agriculture has been scrutinised in recent years. It's one of the few industries that both contributes to climate change and is impacted by it. However, agriculture is undergoing an exciting revolution. Agricultural science jobs are in demand, with emerging technologies that are building sustainability and crop resilience.
What is the highest paying agricultural job?
The average agricultural salary is around £33,932 per year. However, food scientists and farm managers can earn over £50,000 per year. Agricultural engineering pay can also be high, as it can also be for purchasing and buying positions.
Here are some of the best paying agriculture jobs:
- Wildlife biologist - £46,000
- Buyer and purchasing agent - £46,800
- Food scientist - £50,140
- Farm manager - £51,730
- Agricultural engineer - £58,700
- Water engineer - £63,290
- Environmental engineer - £64,620
- Water resource specialist - £93,900
- Natural sciences manager - £93,300
What qualifications might I need to work in agriculture?
If you're wondering how to work in agriculture without formal qualifications, you'll be happy to know that many roles only require hands-on experience. Entry level positions, such as farm work, gardner and trainee agricultural engineer usually offer full training for the right candidate.
Like many industries, however, there are some jobs that do require a specific qualification and degree. For example, you could work as an agricultural solicitor, which would require a law degree. There are also a number of roles available for agricultural vets, which would require a veterinary degree.
What skills might I need to work in farming and agriculture?
Depending on your chosen career path, there are several skills that are essential to succeed in agriculture. If you'd like to work on a farm in the UK, for example, you'd need organisational and interpersonal skills. Generally, careers in agriculture require analytical skills, management skills, technological skills, problem solving skills and communication skills.
How can I gain work experience?
There are a variety of ways you can get into farm work, including volunteer work experience. You could ask about local seasonal farm worker jobs, which would give you some insight into what's involved with the work. You could also look into work experience as part of a course, or voluntary projects involving agricultural or environment work. Here are some useful resources for landing that first job in agriculture.
How to start a career in farming
Getting into farming is relatively similar to many other industries. You could start by doing a course at an agricultural college, such as a Level 2 Certificate in Land-based Activities. You could also pay a visit to some local farms and get advice from experienced farmers. There are also a few entry level positions available to get you started, such as seasonal workers.
What tools and PPE do I need and who should provide them?
Taking proper health and safety precautions is paramount in any career, but farm safety is especially important as therisk of injury is so high. Small tools, such as shovels and wheelbarrows, are used on farms frequently, but so are dangerous farm-specific vehicles, such as tractors and fertiliser spreaders.
Agricultural work may include exposure to hazards such as machinery, sharp equipment, excessive noise, and chemicals such as fertiliser and pesticides. You'll need PPE equipment when dealing with these hazards. PPE in agriculture may include safety gloves, glasses, as well as overalls and a respirator mask.
Agricultural tools and equipment will either be available on the farm where you're employed, or if you run your own business, they can be purchased from a specialist supplier. As with any role, agriculture safety equipment are most effective when you and your employees have proper safety training.
Do I need specialist PPE if working with agricultural chemicals?
Working in agriculture may expose you to dangerous chemical hazards, including fuels, solvents, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilisers. To ensure you keep yourself safe, you'll need to wear specialist PPE equipment. PPE for farm workers may include:
- Chemically resistant boots
- Overalls
- Respirator mask
- Safety glasses or goggles
What are the most common risks to agricultural workers?
Agriculture is an industry that comes with many inherent risks and dangers. You may be required to work with dangerous machinery, chemicals, livestock, vehicles or near silos or pits. Some of the most common risks to agriculture workers are overturning tractors and heavy machinery, falls, toxic chemical exposure, and heat stress.
What are the most common injuries to farm workers?
Even though agriculture safety is taken very seriously, it's very common for farm workers to sustain injuries on the job. Some of the most common injuries to farm workers include manual handling injuries, overturned tractor injuries, slips and trips, and falls from heights. Other injuries include burns, suffocation, objects falling, animal related injuries and entanglements.
What can I do to keep myself safe on a farm or agricultural site?
When it comes to farm health and safety, it's always a good idea to keep up with industry specific training to keep yourself and others safe on site. There are also several steps you can take to maintain top health and safety standards while you work, although more detail can be found for specific jobs.
Here are our top tips for keeping yourself safe on an agricultural site:
- Maintain all equipment and machinery
- Hire a professional contractor for roof work
- Keep children away from the farm workspace
- Separate livestock from the public
- Follow the safe stop procedure every time you leave a farm vehicle
- Make your farmyard a safe yard
For more advice, the Stop and Think SAFE campaign aims to tackle the four main causes of injuries and fatalities on local farms.
What are my employers responsibilities for keeping me safe?
Employers have a duty of care under the health and safety act to assess and manage risks in the workplace. This would mean identifying activities that could cause injury or illness, and taking action to eliminate any hazards. If this isn't possible, they would need to control the risk.
What health and safety environment training should I receive?
Working with heavy machinery, and with frequent exposure to dust and chemicals can cause injuries and illness, especially if the proper safety regulations haven't been followed. In order to keep yourself and your workers safe, you should receive and provide adequate farm health and safety training.
What should I do if I have an accident on a farm or agricultural site?
Farms and agricultural sites can be dangerous places. If you are injured on a farm or agricultural site, seek medical attention straight away and make sure there is no further risk to yourself or others. Get witness statements if you can, and report the incident to RIDDOR.
If you think you might have a claim, contact National Accident Helpline on to get advice and guidance on seeking compensation.
Will I receive agricultural workers sick pay?
If you work in agriculture, you may be entitled to claim Agricultural sick pay, or ASP, if you're off sick. The rules for those who want to claim ASP are regulated by the agricultural sick pay scheme. For example, you would need to have worked with your employer for a minimum of one year to be entitled to ASP.
Can I claim compensation if I'm injured in a farm accident?
If you were injured and it wasn't your fault, perhaps because of faulty farm machinery, lack of training, or being made to use equipment without the proper training, you could be entitled to compensation. In most circumstances, you would have to do this within three years of sustaining your injuries.
How do I start my claim?
You can get in touch with your personal injury advisor by requesting a free callback, or contacting us today by calling .
Updated 15th August 2022