Farmer

Career path and progression

With experience you could become a farm consultant, advising other farms in areas like new technology, developments in feed and fertilisers and diversification.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• leadership skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work on your own
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• business management skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Biology - Farmers need to understand plant biology for growing crops – including germination, photosynthesis, disease, and soil health – as well as animal biology for raising livestock, including breeding, nutrition, and disease prevention. This knowledge is essential for making decisions about feeding, fertilising, pest control, and animal welfare.
• Business - Farmers plan production, manage budgets, negotiate with buyers and suppliers, and oversee staff. Running a farm is running a business, so understanding financial planning, marketing, and management is central to making a farm profitable and sustainable.
• Environmental Science - Farmers work directly with the land and need to understand how their practices affect soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and climate. Knowledge of sustainability, ecosystems, and environmental regulations helps them farm responsibly while meeting modern standards.
• Design and Technology - Farmers use, repair, and maintain a wide range of machinery and equipment, from tractors and harvesters to irrigation systems. Practical skills in working with tools, materials, and mechanical systems are part of daily life on a farm.

Also relevant

• Chemistry - Farmers work with fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, and animal medicines, and need to understand how these chemicals work and how to use them safely. Soil chemistry – such as pH levels and nutrient content – also plays a key role in crop production.
• Mathematics - Farmers use maths regularly to calculate crop yields, measure land areas, work out feed ratios for livestock, and manage financial accounts. Budgeting, pricing, and interpreting data on weather or market trends all rely on confident number skills.
• Geography - Farmers need to understand weather patterns, climate, soil types, and land use – all core topics in geography. This knowledge helps them decide what to grow, when to plant and harvest, and how to manage their land effectively.
• Economics - Farmers operate in competitive markets where prices for crops and livestock fluctuate based on supply, demand, and global trade. Understanding how markets work helps them make better decisions about what to produce and when to sell.
• Engineering - Farmers increasingly rely on advanced machinery, automated systems, and new technologies like GPS-guided equipment and drone monitoring. Understanding engineering principles helps them adopt and maintain these systems to improve efficiency on the farm.