A growing number of mid-scale farms are turning to the services of a farm manager. The question for new and aspiring farmers is: does the cost you pay benefit your farm in the long run? It’s not an easy question to answer, as there are many variables to consider.
It is best to start with considering a farm manager’s role, and how they might fit into your farm’s day-to-day operations.
Farms Require Expert Management
Farms, like any company, require expert management to function smoothly. This doesn’t automatically mean that every farm requires a manager, but the work of keeping a farm running requires many of the same skills needed for running a small company.
If someone with the proper experience is not handling the job, it will take up a portion of your time and resources that could be put to better use elsewhere.
Planning
Planning is a major part of managing any farm. There are many moving parts, and a farm manager’s job is to plan for surprises in advance, maintaining stable operation and steady income throughout the year. Organization and focus are qualities you should look for in a farm manager. Keep in mind that the job can be handled by one person, but you’ll need to closely cooperate with your manager at all times.
Animal Management
Animals are an essential part of any farm. They have the benefit of producing income and requiring work, even during seasons when the farm is less active. Animals must be taken into account when choosing a manager, as you’ll want someone who has experience working with livestock.
There are 3 main tasks to remember when considering a farm manager’s skill set:
-Purchase of new animals and their role in profit potential.
-Feeding of existing animals.
-Breeding in order to maintain your livestock.
Coordinating
If you own a large farm with multiple sources of income, many different tasks are likely running at the same time. The role of the manager will be to coordinate these tasks efficiently, ensuring that the farm operates smoothly.
This requires a bird’s eye view of the farm. Sometimes, the main benefit of a farm manager lies in simply having a fresh pair of eyes to evaluate your plans.
Keeping Records
It is often overlooked how much paperwork is involved in running a farm. It’s an outdoor type of job, but a surplus of office work is still necessary. Records must be kept to obtain funds from banks, the governments and business dealings. Such work can also be done by a farm manager, if the owner of the farm isn’t up to the task.
Is Farm Management For You?
In the end, the question remains: do you need to hire a farm manager? It is possible to launch a farm without a manager and gradually move into hiring one later.