Im about to finish college this year and wil have a diploma in agri and with the costs of uni lately is it now really worth all that debt just to come home after it?

in terms of gaining new ideas and viewpoints on things, along with the contacts you make and opportunities that will open up for you I would say yes go to uni.

But, it depends what you are actually going to do at uni, or at home, are you just going home to work for your parents, or will you be working for yourself, or will you be going into partnership with them?

If the money is the only thing stopping you then get on and go, self employed means you wont have to pay it back

Personally I wouldn't go to university.

I reckon those 3 years could be better spent working on a large estate, then for a contractor, and then for a large cotract farmer, and spend the winters worrking on different farms in the Southern hemisphere. Get a good range of different types of agriculture under your belt, and if you get a chance try something the next step along, like in the food industry or maybe with a land agent if you have the contacts..

You will have spent those three years away from home, learning practical things, making working contacts, and making some money along the way.

duggz:

Im about to finish college this year and wil have a diploma in agri and with the costs of uni lately is it now really worth all that debt just to come home after it?

Suppose it depends how much debt you've got and how much you think you benefited from the whole experience duggz.

I think there are some benefits of doing further study that are difficult to quantify (great contacts and mates, being exposed to new thinking, hearing progressive views etc) and these can increase your income in the long term.

If I was 18 again, however, I'm not sure I'd go to university. Farming's hard enough to make a living from - without having thousands of £s of debt hanging round your neck before you even get started.

bovril is right, i went to new zealand for a couple of years, if i had the chance again i would have gone grain harvesting in the usa as well

duggz:

Im about to finish college this year and wil have a diploma in agri and with the costs of uni lately is it now really worth all that debt just to come home after it?

 

If you are thinking of doing an agricultural degree, I wouldn't bother, but if you are thinking of doing something else, then get on and go for it.  I did both, an accountancy degree at a local university whilst working on the farm.

Farmer Dan 6465:

If you are thinking of doing an agricultural degree, I wouldn't bother, but if you are thinking of doing something else, then get on and go for it.  I did both, an accountancy degree at a local university whilst working on the farm.

 

That would be my choice if available. Allows you to work and study at the same time. 

Travelling will broaden your thinking, but not much good when it comes to an interview for that job, you never thought you would be applying for in 10 years time. The degree, just might get you in the door?

But is there really that much difference between driving for a local contractor and driving for an Australian or American contractor?

 Suppose it depends exactly what you want to do. You dont need 3 years of your life; some fancy paper; £30k debt etc to shovel s41t do you?

 fwiw, I have a degree. It has not in any way helped me either gain employment nor my actual working life. If I had to pay the sort of fees you will today, I certainly wouldnt have done it. 

mursal:

>But is there really that much difference between driving for a local contractor and driving for an Australian or American contractor?

I think there's a vast difference driving for two different contractors in the same county. If you're looking to spend three years learning, variety is essential.

By going abroad you have to live the life completely, more contacts are made on rainy day drinking sessions than on the job!!

I am pleased I do not have to vote on the best answer. Nor make a decision based on them. They are all very good, sensible, and reasoned responses, despite differing answers.

One point puzzles me though - on several recent threads about attending university it is assumed that the graduate will leave with a very large debt. Surely this is not going to be the case with every graduate. My son, who did not do any work to earn money, and with limited help from ourselves, left St Andrews after 4 years with only a small loan. I appreciate the fee structure has changed.

mursal:

But is there really that much difference between driving for a local contractor and driving for an Australian or American contractor?

scale of the operation would be a fair bit different depending where 'local' is

I certainly learnt a lot more about driving a tractor on a maize harvest in new zealand for four months than in three years driving at home. turns out flat is a relative term

I honestly did not expect this much of an intrest and have such good replies. Thanks to you all, Im going to apply and see what the offers will be, but i think ive already told myself that im staying home and will go traveling as they all do say do it while you can, so i think ill be on a plane in a few months time.

duggz:

and will go traveling as they all do say do it while you can, so i think ill be on a plane in a few months time.

How exciting! Let us know how you get on. A lot of people seem to go to Australia and New Zealand (lots to learn about dairying and sheep out there) but plenty of alternatives to those two countries as well.

You've chose the right option to apply for Uni even if you decide not to go, it's keeping your options open.  I went down the Uni route at 23 after working on the farm from 16.  I would say look at the bigger picture, what do you want to do.  I love farming but didn't want to be 65 years old and crippled from working outdoors all day, so I went and did an Ag degree.  Working during the holidays meant I left with only a £9,000 debut.  Now I work part time on the farm and have a professional job, best of both worlds.  The degree for me was the best choice as it opend many doors for potential employment that farming experience alone would not allow me to do.  Ask yourself what do you want to do with the rest of your life, when we're young we love driving tractors, calving, milking, lambing etc; but will you want that at 40 / 50 with a family, or would you like good working hours, decent money, and plenty of time off?  If you're happy with farming then a degree maybe not for you, but look at the bigger picture.