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The Institute of Agricultural Management’s annual survey of farm managers’ pay and conditions aims to answer this question by providing objective and up to date information about pay and employment conditions.

Farm managers and managers of farm business units are invited to take part in the survey and submit responses by 25 May. The survey is open to both members and non-members of IAgrM and information is given in confidence.

To request a form please contact the Institute of Agricultural Management on 01275 843825 or email victoria@iagrm.com
 
 

Keeping pay rates on the right lines is essential and following our employment feature last week, Agricultural Wages Board member Matthew Belsey has pointed out the need to be aware of variations between the agricultural minimum wage and national minimum wage rates.

For example, agricultural minimum wage at its basic (initial) grade 1 is 2p an hour higher than the national minimum wage. This applies even to casual workers employed for fewer than 30 weeks (applies from day one to 30 weeks).

Workers doing a mix of agricultural and non-agricultural work must still be paid at agricultural minimum wage for agricultural work and at the national minimum wage for non-agricultural work. The Agricultural Wages Order sets out a list of the employment types covered and is still in force, correct minimum rates must be observed.

More farmers are needed to take on the growing number of apprentices who want to work and learn on UK farms. From 6 to 10 February is National Apprenticeship Week which aims to raise awareness of the opportunities for both employer and apprentice.

Given the widespread need to recruit more young people into farming careers, this route must be worth considering but many don’t know where to start. The best place is LANTRA’s website, which has clear and useful information about what’s involved and links to http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

There is support for both parties through local colleges and local LANTRA groups, while the training element is Government funded. Apprentices aged between 16 and 18 have a minimum wage rate of £2.60 an hour but many employers pay more, says LANTRA.

Eighty percent of those who employ apprentices think they make their workplace more productive and an even higher percentage think apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce. 

A scheme to attract new entrants into Scottish agricultural and rural businesses has been launched by Scottish Land & Estates, NFU Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and The Crown Estate.

The initiative aims to provide a broader range of assistance for people getting into the sector, other than traditional tenancies. Options under consideration include a mechanism to match specific skills of potential new entrants to opportunities that become available; a training package to develop land-based skills; and a system of ongoing support for new starts over their initial years in the sector.

There have been informal discussions with government about the initiative and formal proposals are expected shortly.

“I truly believe that there are opportunities in the industry and younger operators out there who are ready, willing and able to take advantage of them when they are presented,” Alan Laidlaw, The Crown Estate’s head of new business development said.

“We need to ensure that a positive future for food and farming is embraced and that land opportunities, in whatever form, are made available to the best business operators.”

Do you know an outstanding herdsperson? The Royal Bath & West of England Society is calling for entries and nominations for its South West Herdsperson 2011 award.

 

This recognises excellence in dairy farming in a role which can so often be overlooked, says the society. Those in Devon, Cornwall, Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire are eligible to enter or be nominated.

 

The winner will be announced at the Dairy Show at the Bath and West Showground on 5 October.  The overall winner receives £500 prize money and a trophy. Entries close on 17 August and forms are available from www.bathandwest.com or by telephoning Julie Kitching on 01749 822235.