Mat Beale (Chippenham) 

With all the current issues in agriculture at the moment, fuel and fertiliser prices, energy hikes.  The biggest issue I have seen on farms in recent times, is staff.  All the other issues go to the background if there is no one to do the work.

So, what are the issues with enticing new staff to the farm, and just as importantly, how do we keep the staff on our farms?

Agriculture is a different job, and at times a lot more difficult, stressful, upsetting, and unsociable than a lot of other industries.  Employers are now realising that a good rate of pay and rent and rate free accommodation are no longer enough of an incentive to make someone happy to work most weekends and start very early and finish very late.

At this time of year, there is lots of family events going on, be that a child’s school nativity, or a family get together.  Family time is now just as important to employees as how much is in the pay cheque every month.     

Two examples I have seen recently of good staff management include being flexible so a herdsman can go to their child’s nativity, with the employer doing an afternoon milking, and ensuring that all people get at least some of the Christmas period at home with their family by having a good rota in place for the whole period.

Something else which I have also seen, is an employer’s eagerness for their staff to continue their ‘professional development’.  They have been keen for them to do all the courses which will help them in the future, be that a telehandler course, or a course surrounding management, but also teaching other skills, which are being lost over time, dry stone walling, plucking and prepping pheasants, and hedge laying.

Also, on a recent visit to a farm, an employer was telling me how they are very keen for their employees to ‘go out and discover the world’.  Go travelling, experience new things in life, providing a different perspective.  If this happens, employees tend to feel valued enough that they will be keen to come back and work on the same farm once they are back.

These are all things that show employees that they are thought of more than just workhorses. If an employee feels appreciated, work output, efficiency and quality of work will improve.

The people that do the hard work every day are a farms biggest asset.  Giving thought to their work life balance will help ensure employees want to stay not only on your farm, but also in the industry.

To discuss labour management issues and possible solutions, contact Mat at mathewbeale@fcgagric.com or your local FCG Office.