A farmer is anyone responsible for running an agricultural holding. That could be growing crops, rearing livestock or managing a mix of both. While it’s assumed that farmers own their land outright, many hold a tenancy or run the day-to-day operation on someone else's behalf. It's one of the broadest job titles in British agriculture, covering everyone from a smallholder with a few acres of pasture to the owner-operator of a several thousand-acre arable estate.
What ties every farmer together is that the job combines physical, outdoor work with business responsibility. It's demanding work, often dictated by the weather and the season rather than a fixed working day. But for many that variety and independence is exactly the appeal.
This profile covers what a farmer actually does day to day, the qualifications and training that help, what you can expect to earn, and where farmers work across the UK.
What does a farmer do?
A farmer's exact responsibilities depend heavily on the type of holding they run. Arable farmers focus on planting, growing and harvesting crops like wheat and barley or potatoes. Livestock farmers manage the breeding, health and welfare of animals like cattle or pigs. Many UK farms run a mixed operation too, combining both.
Regardless of enterprise type, a farmer's role typically includes:
Planning planting, breeding or production cycles around the seasons
Managing budgets and farm accounts
Maintaining machinery and infrastructure
Recruiting and supervising staff or seasonal labour
Meeting health and safety, animal welfare and environmental compliance requirements
Applying for relevant grants, subsidy schemes and stewardship payments
On smaller family farms, one person or a small team handles all of this directly. On larger holdings, a farmer might employ a farm manager or specialist staff to take on parts of the operation, while retaining overall responsibility for the business and its direction.
Qualifications and training to become a farmer
There's no single route into farming. Many farmers grow up on family holdings and learn the trade from an early age, but a growing number come to it through apprenticeships and college courses, plus agricultural degrees at institutions like Harper Adams University or the Royal Agricultural University. Some people start from a young age, others make a complete career change later in life.
Practical certifications matter too. NPTC/Lantra qualifications cover tractor driving, chainsaw use and pesticide application, while BASIS and FACTS credentials are valued for arable enterprises that need specialist crop protection and nutrient management knowledge.
For a full breakdown of entry routes, qualifications and career changer options, read How to Become a Farmer in the UK.
A brief farmer salary guide
Farming salaries vary enormously depending on the type and scale of operation, and whether you're employed, tenant farming or running your own holding.
Entry-level farm workers and trainee farmers typically start between £20,000 and £24,000. With a few years' experience behind you, this rises to around £24,000 to £30,000. According to the National Careers Service, experienced farmers can earn up to £50,000, while those managing larger or more complex operations can earn considerably more. As can farmers running a successful owner-operator business,.
Owner-operators and tenant farmers see income tied closely to land, subsidy payments and market conditions, which makes farm income naturally more variable than a fixed employed salary.
Where do farmers work?
Farmers work across every type of agricultural holding in the UK, including:
Family-owned farms and smallholdings
Tenanted farms and estates
Large arable, livestock, dairy or mixed operations
Horticultural and fresh produce businesses
Corporate farming businesses and investment managed estates
The setting shapes the job considerably. Someone running a small family farm will be hands-on across every part of the business, from fieldwork to finances. A farmer on a large estate might spend more time on strategy and oversight, with staff or a farm manager handling day-to-day operations underneath them.
Frequently asked questions about farmers
What does a farmer do day to day?
A farmer's daily tasks depend on the season and the type of holding, but generally include:
Planning production
Managing crops or livestock
Maintaining machinery and buildings
Handling farm finances
Making sure the business meets health, safety and environmental requirements
No two days look quite the same, which is part of the appeal for a lot of people in the job.
How much does a farmer earn?
Entry-level farm workers typically start between £20,000 and £24,000. Experienced farmers can earn up to £50,000 or more, according to the National Careers Service, though owner-operator income varies considerably depending on land, scale and market conditions in any given year.
What's the difference between a farmer and a farm manager?
A farmer runs their own holding (owned or tenanted) and carries the financial risk and reward of the business directly. A farm manager is typically employed to run someone else's farm on a salaried basis, without owning the land or capital themselves. For a closer look at that role, read our Farm Manager Job Profile.
Find the right farmer job for you
I've spent over 25 years placing people across UK farming, and it remains a sector I'm genuinely passionate about.
Agricultural Recruitment Specialists is the UK's leading recruitment agency for agriculture, horticulture, food and the wider land-based sector. Founded in 2012, we have built a database of over 80,000 candidates and placed people from graduate level right through to board-level appointments. Our job is to find you the right role, not just any role.
If you're looking for farming jobs right now, browse our current vacancies. For a deeper look at how to break into the industry, read our How to Become a Farmer in the UK guide, or sign up for job alerts to hear about suitable roles first.
