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Why retaining farm staff matters more than recruiting them
Across UK agriculture, the discussion continues to centre on a “labour crisis.”
Farmers are struggling to find good people, agencies are short of candidates, and rural businesses face increasing competition from other sectors.
Yet while the headlines focus on recruitment, the real opportunity and the real solution lies in retention.
Put simply, if we can retain the good people we already have, the pressure to constantly recruit eases dramatically.
The best farms in the country aren’t those with the flashiest adverts or the highest wages; they’re the ones where people want to stay.
© REAL Success
The real reason people leave
When someone leaves a farm, it’s tempting to blame the industry, the hours, or the lack of skilled labour.
But after years of working with hundreds of businesses, the pattern is clear: people don’t leave farms – they leave managers.
Poor communication, unclear expectations, and a lack of appreciation remain the primary drivers of turnover.
The way a team is led has a greater influence on retention than pay or accommodation. That means the solution lies within the farm gate, not outside it.
The cost of losing good people
Replacing even one experienced member of staff is costly. There are the recruitment expenses, the time required to train someone new, and the inevitable loss of efficiency.
But there’s also the hidden cost – morale. When one person leaves, others often start to question whether they should stay.
On the other hand, when farms invest in leadership, communication, and culture, retention improves.
Productivity rises, health and safety performance strengthens, and word spreads that it’s a great place to work. That reputation becomes your most powerful recruitment tool.
© REAL Success
Leading, not managing
Farming has traditionally been about managing tasks and animals, but retaining people requires leadership.
That means taking the time to listen, involving the team in decisions, providing constructive feedback, and showing appreciation for their effort. Small, consistent actions make a big difference.
A simple thank you, a shared breakfast after a tough week, or taking the time to ask how someone is doing can all build trust and loyalty.
Building a retention mindset
Farm leaders can start by asking three simple questions:
- Do my team know what’s expected of them?
- Do they feel valued for what they do?
- Do they see a future for themselves here?
If the answer to any of these is “no,” that’s the place to begin.
© REAL Success
How REAL Success can help
At REAL Success, we work with farms and supply chain businesses across the UK to help them understand, develop, and retain their people.
Through our consultancy, leadership coaching, and VITA Profiling system, we help managers learn how to communicate effectively, build trust, and create environments where people thrive.
Our training programmes are designed specifically for the agricultural sector. They are practical, relatable, and focused on the realities of farming life.
Whether it’s improving team dynamics, reviewing pay and working hours, or building a long-term people strategy, we help farms move from firefighting recruitment problems to cultivating lasting success.
Retention isn’t about holding people back; it’s about helping them grow so they choose to stay. The farms that invest in their people today will be the ones still thriving tomorrow.
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Retaining staff is the best way to avoid the headache of recruitment. REAL Success provides consultancy, training, and advice on staff management, helping you become an employer of choice.