Careers advice on jobs in agriculture

Whether you’re a recent agricultural graduate or considering a change of career into farming, knowing where to start can be challenging.


Hear from young farmers and new entrants who have successfully carved a career in the sector – find out how they went about it and the challenges they overcame.


What career?


The choice of career within the farming industry is incredibly diverse. This article looks at the options, the skills and qualifications you’ll need and what you can expect in terms of salary and career progression.


Which career path in farming?



Livestock careers


If livestock is your chosen path, these case studies give an insight into what life is like on a day-to-day basis in this sector.


Livestock career options



How a young farmer went from his first experience of milking aged 13 to contract dairy farming with a 146-strong herd.


How one new entrant to sheep farming found success


Arable careers


The arable sector offers a wide variety of jobs from research to breeding, get a feel for what might suit your skills.


Four arable new entrants tell their story



Niche careers


You don’t have to opt for one of the more mainstream careers – there are opportunities out there for people with imagination and drive.


Read about three young farmers who found their own business niche.


Apprenticeships


Apprenticeships provide a valuable step onto the career ladder. The National Apprenticeship Service offers a wide range of information and opportunities in agriculture.


Watch this video on agricultural apprenticeships





Get inspired


Looking for inspiration? Read about Craig Grant, the 2012 Farmers Weekly Awards winner in the Young Farmer category. Craig went from a 10-year engineering career in the oil industry to running a profitable poultry business.


2012 Young Farmer of the Year: Craig Grant



Farm machinery training


If you’re more mechanically-minded, then getting down and dirty with farm machinery may be just the thing for you. The Maintenance and Repair of Agricultural Machinery course at Warwick College is the only one of its kind in the country.


Read more about the course.



Talk about it with your peers


Get and give advice on getting started in farming on our forum.


How to get started in farming



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