Fergus MacGregor: ‘I’ll never take a boring job – I’ll be a farmer for life’
© Fergus MacGregor I wanted to become a farmer to drive tractors.
As a child, I’d watch them go by with wonder in my eyes, thinking wouldn’t it be great to do that one day – and now I am.
In the intervening years I have discovered that farming is more than just driving tractors, as a profession it is all encompassing.
Days spent in the office looking at spreadsheets followed by soggy afternoons fixing fences, learning about crop health and what can be done to improve it.
See also: Fergus MacGregor – why I’m incurably attached to my tractor
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Welding machinery back together or fixing the endlessly leaky water pipes for the animals.
The daily combinations are endless and, quite frankly, exciting – every morning I wake up knowing today will be different from yesterday and tomorrow.
I was reminded about how unique this is at my school reunion.
The conversation inevitably ended up being about what we had done in the years between leaving school and the reunion.
I found there to be a sizeable number who are dissatisfied with the lack of variety in their work.
I don’t mean to say all other jobs are boring, just that some might get a bit repetitive and lack the challenge and change of the farming year.
I love what I do. I love the way of life, the challenge and, to be frank, it’s addictive.
Sitting in the combine at harvest watching the yield monitor is so exciting or a bit disappointing at times… seeing the cows go out in spring, planting crops and cultivating fields.
I will admit recently I’ve been feeling a bit depressed about the viability of it all.
So, I’m going to find a way around all the numerous issues making me feel this way. I’m not sure how yet, but there will be an answer.
And isn’t that exciting – we actually get to innovate our way out of this, despite the government, the markets and all the other issues we face.
Because I don’t want a boring job, I’m going to be a farmer for life.