Agricultural consultant

Agricultural consultants give advice to farmers, helping them to solve problems. They also work with other people who are involved in agricultural issues, including landowners and conservation bodies. They give financial and business advice, e.g. with budgeting and planning, and technical advice on issues such as crop nutrition, and livestock management.

Also known as

Agronomist
Agronomy manager
Farming advisor

Work activities

Agricultural consultants need to build close relationships with their clients, such as farmers, horticulturists and landowners, so they can identify and become familiar with the problems they are facing. This could mean making regular visits to a farm and talking to the farmer. Consultants will also study information such as records of crop yields and livestock levels, budget sheets and business plans. Consultants might specialise in any aspect of agriculture or horticulture, such as dairy farming, livestock, poultry, farm mechanisation, farm management or agronomy. They deal with a wide range of technical and business issues. Technical issues are to do with producing crops and rearing livestock. Agricultural consultants could be advising and providing information on issues such as:

Animal health and hygiene regulations.
Grazing management.
Choice of fertilisers and animal feed.
The control of pests and diseases.
Grants for land drainage.
Reduction of energy use for a sustainable future.
Environmental management and scheme advice.
Current legislation.

Agricultural consultants also advise on health and safety issues, for example, to do with the use of farm machinery. Environmental, conservation and land management issues are very important in this work. Advisors work with clients to prevent pollution by promoting good practice. For example, pollution could be from slurry and farmyard manure, which can ‘run off’ the land into nearby river systems. They are also able to advise on legislation on pollution and how farmers can make sure they are following all the rules and good practice guidelines. Agricultural consultants who deal with business and financial issues advise farmers on financial planning and cash flow budgeting. They could be helping the client to draw up or improve a business plan, or to deal with accounts and other financial records. In recent years, sustainability of farming has become more of an issue. This means that advisors need to understand energy, water and fuel bills and how to reduce these, including any grants that are available to help with this.

The work can also involve going to agricultural shows, giving presentations, writing advice leaflets and technical manuals, and organising demonstrations and conferences. Advisors could also be working with farm equipment manufacturers and agrochemical companies. They can be working in other countries, for example, helping farmers in developing nations to overcome problems such as soil erosion. Agricultural consultants need to keep up to date with research and development, including by reading agricultural journals and papers.

Personal qualities and skills

To be an agricultural consultant, you’ll need:

Sound knowledge of farm management and the rural economy.
Self-motivation.
The ability to work alone and as part of a team.
Analytical and problem-solving skills.
A practical approach to your work.
The ability to get on with your clients and build trusting relationships.
Listening skills and the ability to explain things clearly.
Good business sense and commercial awareness, so you can sell your services and deal with financial administration.

The ability to use computers is an advantage. For example, you might use computer databases and spreadsheets to hold information and analyse research findings. Agricultural consultants usually need a full driving licence.

Pay and opportunities

Agricultural consultants earn in the range of £22,500 - £60,000 a year.

Agricultural advisors/consultants usually work a 37-40-hour week, Monday to Friday. However, early starts, late finishes and weekend work may be required.

Employers include ADAS Farming Association (ADAS); the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra); and environmental bodies, such as the National Trust (NT), Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales, and Scottish Natural Heritage. There are opportunities with agrochemical manufacturing companies and agrochemical sales and advice companies. There are also posts with land agents. Charitable organisations, such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), also employ agricultural advisors/consultants. Other employers include property firms, farming co-operatives and agricultural commercial suppliers, as well as banks and independent firms of consultants.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on the ADAS website, in agricultural magazines and journals, on general and specialist job boards (for example, for farming and environmental jobs) and in local/national newspapers. Most vacancies are advertised in Farmers Weekly magazine and on the Farmers Weekly Interactive website. Posts appear on employers’ websites.

Entry routes and training

Entrants are usually graduates in agriculture or a closely related subject, such as horticulture, plant science, soil science, agricultural science or environmental science. Entry can sometimes be possible for people with a relevant higher national qualification or foundation degree. Some universities prefer students to have gained relevant knowledge and skills through some practical experience (such as weekend or holiday work) before starting a course; this will be very useful even if it’s not a requirement for entry. A relevant postgraduate qualification can be an advantage. If you want to specialise in giving business advice, there are degree courses that combine agriculture with business subjects.

You could also take a course in a subject such as agricultural business management or agri-business. Employers will usually want applicants to have gained relevant knowledge and skills through a period of practical work experience, for example, in farming, estate management or conservation work.

Alternatively, you could take a level 6 higher apprenticeship in the role of agriculture or horticulture professional. This way you would train predominantly on the job while studying towards a higher-level qualification alongside your studies.

You could progress to a senior advisor or team leader position. In a commercial agricultural consultancy, you could then be invited to become a partner or director of the firm. After a lot of experience, you could set up your own agricultural consultancy business. In the public sector, promotion would be to a team leader or management post.

Qualifications

For entry to a degree in agriculture or agricultural science, the usual minimum requirement is:

Two to three A-levels, with at least one science subject. Some universities prefer biology and/or chemistry. Other acceptable subjects can include environmental studies, maths, physics and geography.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in your A-level subjects. You might need biology and/or chemistry if you are not offering these subjects at A-level.
A further two to three GCSEs at grades 9-4, sometimes including English and maths.

Alternatives to A levels include:

Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don’t have the qualifications you need to enter a degree, foundation degree or HND course, you might be able to start one after completing an Access course. You don’t usually need any qualifications to start an Access course, although you should check individual course details. A few colleges and universities offer relevant degrees, including at Master’s level where study can be part time/flexible or via distance learning. Courses have been developed in partnership with industry.

Related careers

Agricultural administrator
Agricultural engineer
Agricultural research scientist
Biologist
Farm manager
Horticultural scientist
Soil scientist