Best job for part time farmer.

laoch na mona

seen as a lot of us are part time these days I'm curious what do you think are the best jobs for farmers.

Obviously what makes a job good is different for different people but considering basics like time commitment, cross over skills, commute, and income (the important one) and any other important criteria you can think of, what do you think makes a job suitable for a farmer.

My current job is office based and full time, The skills I've learned defiantly help with the business side of farming and set hours mean that I can plan my time relatively well.

Importantly for me I'm able to save/pay off my student debt. I could see my self needing a job which involves less hours in a few years though

Stealthfins

Landscape gardening or working as a gardener in an old estate that pays...

kollegeknight

I reckon a pe teacher. Loads of time off and very little paper work.

I'm an engineering teacher. Home in evenings by 5pm off every weekend and great holidays. But serious workload trying to get lads with projects over the line. I definately get a big greyer and fatter every march/April.

I'm happy with the pay too.


Hard to get a job in home county though.

It's luck dependant also with cows calving in the spring. Ive only 13 to calf yearly.

Bass Reeves

Any job that pays well and is not dependent on Agriculture if possible. No point in having all you eggs in one basket. In truth most any job will complement farming. Non manual inside work is often ideal as it gives the incentive to outside in the evening weekends and also fatigue may not be an issue. I would never get caught up in what I worked at. With an outside income it is possible to set up a farm fairly labour efficient. Things like good fences are more important than what you work at. The last thing you want at work is call about cattle breaking out.

My mother had a great saying . '' when poverty comes in the door love flies out the window''. This is a way of indicating the stress associated with trying to make a living. It is the same with farming. When there is poverty in the farmyard you love of it will diminish fairly fast. This I see with lads that farm full-time there struggle to make a living make them lose there liking for farming.

patsy_mccabe

You need good fencing, calving camera, good neighbours, cows that calves easily, easy calving bulls and a stubborn nature to keep suckers and still work full time.

westcoast66

Have a neighbour who works for the ESB. Leaves at 9 and is back most days by 4. Loads of holidays/sick days and very secure job. Seems like one of the best jobs for a farmer.

pedigree 6

westcoast66 wrote: »

Have a neighbour who works for the ESB. Leaves at 9 and is back most days by 4. Loads of holidays/sick days and very secure job. Seems like one of the best jobs for a farmer.

Loads of farmers work for the ESB.

Username John

westcoast66 wrote: »

Have a neighbour who works for the ESB. Leaves at 9 and is back most days by 4. Loads of holidays/sick days and very secure job. Seems like one of the best jobs for a farmer.

Does he like it?

I worked in a place that was half semi state before, and the perks were good all right - but twould wear you down... the kinda constant 'that's not my pay grade' or 'jobs not worth that' kinda vibe...

I don't think anyone should go for a job just cos it fits in with farming. Go for something you like doing first then try to get to fit as best you can...

People always say teaching is a grand job and fits with farming grand - it's is, the only problem is the teaching bit...

Any 9-5 job really, within a reasonable distance would fit in with farming fine...

ml100

Teaching, holidays/hours can't be matched by any other full time job

Username John

ml100 wrote: »

Teaching, holidays/hours can't be matched by any other full time job

Yes - less hours, but a bit inflexible too, compared with other jobs...

And then there's the kids / students...

MF290

kollegeknight wrote: »

I reckon a pe teacher. Loads of time off and very little paper work.

I'm an engineering teacher. Home in evenings by 5pm off every weekend and great holidays. But serious workload trying to get lads with projects over the line. I definately get a big greyer and fatter every march/April.

I'm happy with the pay too.


Hard to get a job in home county though.

It's luck dependant also with cows calving in the spring. Ive only 13 to calf yearly.

The only thing about teaching is it wouldn't be any way flexible.
ESB seems to fit well with farming and the money is supposed to be quite good.
Another one is sales rep if you're well established plus tends to be seasonal with a lot of downtime when quiet.

Oh wait, scrap them. Apparently I can make up to $10000 per month from the comfort of my own home...

ml100

Username John wrote: »

Yes - less hours, but a bit inflexible too, compared with other jobs...

And then there's the kids / students...

I don't think you will get any job paying the salary/pensions of teachers with the same flexibility, 1 week off every 6-8 weeks, 2 weeks off at the end of term plus the summer holidays, home by 3:30-4 pm, perfect job for tillage!

Username John

ml100 wrote: »

I don't think you will get any job paying the salary/pensions of teachers with the same flexibility, 1 week off every 6-8 weeks, 2 weeks off at the end of term plus the summer holidays, home by 3:30-4 pm, perfect job for tillage!

That's not what I mean by flexible... I mean you can't be late, you can't leave early... whereas lots of other jobs you might be able to ring and say something gone wrong, be an hour or two late...

I know the core hours are less, and holidays are good...

Not for me though

patsy_mccabe

Professional gambler. You just need to be lucky, as one gambling addict said to me once.

charolais0153

Username John wrote: »

That's not what I mean by flexible... I mean you can't be late, you can't leave early... whereas lots of other jobs you might be able to ring and say something gone wrong, be an hour or two late...

I know the core hours are less, and holidays are good...

Not for me though

I've plenty of free classes during the week . and they don't sound sick when they come back in either. I've missed about 6 or 7 classes with one teacher and none with another who comes in to spite us...she was as hoarse last Friday as anything

Keepgrowing

Milking for a local dairy farmer. We've a local chap milks here 12 times per week. Well paid and home from 8.30 to 3.30.
If he's busy at silage he just takes the day off.

He loves it and we love it.

Sam Kade

A politician.

Icelandicseige

I think it's a very sad way of looking at life.

Your looking for a job that fits in to the job that your already working because ye can't make a living from it.
Now tell me what would a business minded person do?

irishDeco

Lot of part-time and full-time farmers work seasonally with Bord na Mona in the midlands, some are even permanent. Not going to be around for too much longer though.

Timmaay

Username John wrote: »

Does he like it?

I worked in a place that was half semi state before, and the perks were good all right - but twould wear you down... the kinda constant 'that's not my pay grade' or 'jobs not worth that' kinda vibe...

I don't think anyone should go for a job just cos it fits in with farming. Go for something you like doing first then try to get to fit as best you can...

People always say teaching is a grand job and fits with farming grand - it's is, the only problem is the teaching bit...

Any 9-5 job really, within a reasonable distance would fit in with farming fine...

+1000! Is it any wonder so many kids utterly hate school, if here we are encouraging people to become teachers simply for the reason it's "handy". Go find a vocation you love, and you will never work a day in your life. If you are not in some way passionate about teaching then please do not become another utterly useless crap teacher who will do very little for our education system, except make it harder for a more suited person to get a job as a teacher.

laoch na mona

Icelandicseige wrote: »

I think it's a very sad way of looking at life.

Your looking for a job that fits in to the job that your already working because ye can't make a living from it.
Now tell me what would a business minded person do?

Nothing wrong with a second job if it's something you enjoy and are passionate about (and with a bit of luck your not loosing money at it.)

The reality is that any small operator will need another source of income for security,

tractorporn

Icelandicseige wrote:

I think it's a very sad way of looking at life.

Icelandicseige wrote:

Your looking for a job that fits in to the job that your already working because ye can't make a living from it. Now tell me what would a business minded person do?

laoch na mona wrote:

Nothing wrong with a second job if it's something you enjoy and are passionate about (and with a bit of luck your not loosing money at it.)

laoch na mona wrote:

The reality is that any small operator will need another source of income for security,

As said before if you work at something you love you'll never work a day in your life, but people can't live on fresh air. I don't see too many other professions needing a second job to keep them afloat. Teachers, nurses, guards and luas drivers weren't shy about looking for pay rises why should the farmer be happy with his lot?

laoch na mona

tractorporn wrote: »

As said before if you work at something you love you'll never work a day in your life, but people can't live on fresh air. I don't see too many other professions needing a second job to keep them afloat. Teachers, nurses, guards and luas drivers weren't shy about looking for pay rises why should the farmer be happy with his lot?

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying we should just accept it but personally I enjoy farming and don't mind putting in the extra work. Of course we should be looking for better prices but if my option is to farm part time while working or to not farm at all I'll pick part time.


I can't see the politicians or the farmers reps doing much to help smaller lads anyway

Bass Reeves

Icelandicseige wrote: »

I think it's a very sad way of looking at life.

Your looking for a job that fits in to the job that your already working because ye can't make a living from it.
Now tell me what would a business minded person do?

First thing is it is not viable to make a living off of 50-60 acres of good land not to mind middling or poor land. Working and farm was traditional always along the west coast. From the 17 to decades ago spailpin's from the west coast went a d worked as labourers on bigger farms in Ireland and Scotland. Some also fished and farmer.

The consideration of having to work had come as a culture shock to farmers on better land where previous it was possible to make a living from farming. It is possible to bring a fairly well set up 100 acre drystock farm in 15-20 hours/ week depending on time of year. Is there any difference between that and a few tommers that trades men used to do.

I think too many try to work the job around the farm rather than the farm around the job. If the sucklers have to go then they go. But if you change maybe from a CH to a LM bull or adapt to a HE bull and finish progeny it is often still viable.

I think the main reasons that a lot of teachers are unhappy is they are unable to cope with the time off. The most balanced male teachers that I came across were lads that had an outside business that swallowed up time or were very involved in community work. Female teachers cope better with the time off in general.

patsy_mccabe

Training underage sports teams seems like the ideal pastime for male teachers. Just look at the number of intercounty GAA managers that are /were teachers.

White Clover

Bank Manager........ Easy access to cash to keep the farm going!!

kowtow

The perfect 'second" job for a farmer is surely as a travelling salesman / delivery service.

For his own produce.

Timmaay

kowtow wrote: »

The perfect 'second" job for a farmer is surely as a travelling salesman / delivery service.

For his own produce.

Hows that working out for you ha?

Genghis Cant

Most AI men that came here are part time farmers. Seems to work well for them. Bit of AI, bit of scanning, bit of farming.

Icelandicseige

kowtow wrote: »

The perfect 'second" job for a farmer is surely as a travelling salesman / delivery service.

For his own produce.

Now ye have it...! That's the way every farmer should think in my opinion. More drive and positivity instead of doom and gloom.. prices this and prices that..

Bass Reeves

Icelandicseige wrote: »

kowtow wrote: »

The perfect 'second" job for a farmer is surely as a travelling salesman / delivery service.

For his own produce.

Now ye have it...! That's the way every farmer should think in my opinion. More drive and positivity instead of doom and gloom.. prices this and prices that..

Yes I suppose you are right a small truck or medium van and fill it to the gils and get the boat every Thursday morning to the UK or the Contenitant. Then sell at there wekend markets or door to door and home Sunday or Monday. You be looking forward to Thursday morning I am sure.nSorry I think I will keep the day job.

Icelandicseige

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Yes I suppose you are right a small truck or medium van and fill it to the gils and get the boat every Thursday morning to the UK or the Contenitant. Then sell at there wekend markets or door to door and home Sunday or Monday. You be looking forward to Thursday morning I am sure.nSorry I think I will keep the day job.

Sure why would ye go to the UK. Isn't there enough restaurants in your county and they few surrounding you to keep ye happy.

Obviously not a simple as said but not as tough as your making out either.

Look if one is happy in there day job that's all well and good. Some have the drive and aren't happy to work for someone else. Different strokes for different folks.

390kid

Worked shift work for a year loads a time off for the farm and ok money, but I hated it. Had to leave it, concreteing now so no set finishing time at that.

Bass Reeves

Icelandicseige wrote: »

Sure why would ye go to the UK. Isn't there enough restaurants in your county and they few surrounding you to keep ye happy.

Obviously not a simple as said but not as tough as your making out either.

Look if one is happy in there day job that's all well and good. Some have the drive and aren't happy to work for someone else. Different strokes for different folks.

No there isn't enough restaurants or markets or shops. We export 90% of the food we produce. Yes 90% think about that. Restaurants would take less than 0.1% of Irish agricultural produce. Over 50% of the beef we produce goes to the UK, France takes Over 80% of the lamb we produce. We export our dairy products all over the world. You are left with fruit and veg a miniscule market that is dominated by retailers dealing with 1-2' suppliers for each product.

I am afraid it is a very limited option for a very small number of people. It is not about drive it is about what is possible. Drive is not the issue either it is simple economics. The market is too limited.

laoch na mona

kowtow wrote: »

The perfect 'second" job for a farmer is surely as a travelling salesman / delivery service.

For his own produce.

would there be many doing that, other than small scale organic horticultural operations which sell at farmers markets and the like

cj maxx

I would have thought any factory / warehouse / general operative job close to home and where you're not a boss/foreman would be grand to help the farm

Grueller

cjmc wrote: »

I would have thought any factory / warehouse / general operative job close to home and where you're not a boss/foreman would be grand to help the farm

Imo that should be the other way around. The farm should be a few extra pound in the system with the job as the main income.

cj maxx

Grueller wrote: »

Imo that should be the other way around. The farm should be a few extra pound in the system with the job as the main income.

True , but from the POV of someone with no qualifications for a a well paid office job and too old to start at the bottom it's about all that's feasible in a lot of cases. It all depends on where your coming from really . Are you a employee supplementing your income with farming or a farmer supplementing your income ( ?) by getting employment. Are you near a major town ? A lot of variables in this

dryan

Physical/sports therapist.
Flexible hours.
Mostly cash transactions.

Along with farming, it would be a match made in heaven.

kowtow

Bass Reeves wrote: »

I am afraid it is a very limited option for a very small number of people. It is not about drive it is about what is possible. Drive is not the issue either it is simple economics. The market is too limited.

+100 certainly as we have things set up today.

It would be nice to think that we could re-balance a bit so that premium and local foods and the markets that go with them became a part of the business of more and more farmers rather than a hipster niche - indeed I'm sure we'd be a healthier farming economy for it - but saying it and making it happen are two different things altogether.

Siamsa Sessions

What about getting involved in research projects?

Most agri-research funding from Irish Government and EU has to involve farmers (despite the Universities/Academics best efforts!).

Much of it is done thru Teagasc so you'd have to be "engaged" with them, but there are other Rural Development Programmes that offer funding for different projects.

Not sure how to go about it myself, but I reckon there's plenty options around farm data - how to gather it, process it, etc. For a little extra work, the farmer gets paid from his/her new "research enterprise"

Bass Reeves

Too many here have too fertile imagination's. If you have children !Ake sure they get the best education possible. Ifyour farm is incapable of supporting a decent living or may not do so in the future, or it !May be incapable of two incomes. Then you have to look at realistic options. There are thousands of different jobs out there it depends on the person's ability. Not everyone can be a teacher or a Garda or a nurse. However with farming at present it looks like on the drystock side people will need to supplement that farming income. For some that means a full-time job for other part time work may be suitable. Some choice to supplement there income by agro contracting, cattle dealing and transport.

However more and more farmers children are looking up the career/work ladder. Alot no longer want there work dependent on other farmers. Just because you are an AI/scan technician dose not mean that you do not have to be at specific places at specific times. Most other work is the same. He who pays the piper calls the tune. That is not today that some jobs are more flexible than others. However things like GPS has taken away a lot of traditional flexibility. Having a second self employed income may have it advantages but in general it hard to beat collecting your pay every Thursday or Friday.

If as an older farmer you need to partially supplement you income there are more and more part time jobs around. Lots of transportation and bus companies require/want drivers for only 2-3 days a week. The amount of semi retired lads and farmers driving school busses is substantial. If it is full-time work you require then that is there as well. Biggest issue with older farmers is maybe limited skillet or the need to go and get those extra licences which cost money. But at the moment if you want work I is there. This was not the case 2-6 years ago. But the biggest thing to remember is you new job has to get priority as well as the farm

yosemitesam1

kowtow wrote: »

+100 certainly as we have things set up today.

It would be nice to think that we could re-balance a bit so that premium and local foods and the markets that go with them became a part of the business of more and more farmers rather than a hipster niche - indeed I'm sure we'd be a healthier farming economy for it - but saying it and making it happen are two different things altogether.

Did you ever read the farming ladder? Based on a mans experience setting up from scratch in the 30's, as relevant now as back then. I think its where joe salatin got most of his ideas from.

kowtow

yosemitesam1 wrote: »

Did you ever read the farming ladder? Based on a mans experience setting up from scratch in the 30's, as relevant now as back then. I think its where joe salatin got most of his ideas from.

I didn't but I'll go and look it up for the reading pile!

IIRC Salatin was raised (in Central America I think) by fairly organic-hippy-agricultural parents, so it would have been a book of their time if not his as well I suspect. I may be wrong but I think his parents lost their land as a result of political upheaval and thats how he ended up back in the states.

Panch18

There is a case for a fella with a bit of land to lease it and go working for a farmer - as opposed to getting another type of work

It's the best of all worlds, if you love farming you are still doing it full time, you will have your guaranteed weekly wage from the job, and the lease income will be tax free. Even if you didn't lease your own place but farmed it, what better employer than a farmer who will know what your going through if you want flexibility and things like that

Everybody and every situation is different though - what suits one migh not suit the other. Your location and land area are 2 things which have a major bearing on the choices you have.

What i will say is that any fella with a job and a bit of land as well is doing ok for himself

The Swiss watch and cuckoo clock industry came from farmers needing to have work they could do from home in the winters when they were snowed in in winter. They needed something that wouldn't go off and that wouldn't take up space.

What would a modern equivalent be?
IT contracting?

A random suggestion that has regular/flexible hours and plenty of work is being a carer.

Dickie10

Teacher, i get plenty of time off in summer for silage, shearing etc then mid term breaks, xmas and easter. im only 7 miles from school so very handy for me compared to others. also sometimes have only 3 or 4 classes in a day and might be home at lunch. twice a week im finished at 2:45pm. home at 3:00

planning on lambing half my ewes around easter from now on, no matter if its early or late. the only draw backs are pay is not great if your money hungry and you have to love teenagers or teenage girls in my case! i love it though great fun at times. although there is a lot of evening paper work getting classes ready but if your into your subjects thats kind of like messing around at your hobby anyway. i will prob become bitter and twisted after a few years but im happy now anyway. like farming its a lifestyle choice, though it can take between 5 and 6 years to qualify from scratch so i could have been a vet as quick. i dont think id manage that kind of stress though! now back to Ancient Rome for me...........

Dickie10

Plese no grammer nazis , im not an english teacher, it only boards relax!

badshot

premiership footballer

Noveight

badshot wrote: »

premiership footballer

Imagine the sucklers Aguero could run off of 220k a week? :eek::P

Hard to look past secondary teaching.

20silkcut

Only thing about teaching is it limits farm growth and makes it unlikely that the farm will ever become a full time operation. You will always hold off buying those few extra cattle or renting that extra land because you have to mind your main profession. It keeps it very much in the hobby category. It would be madness to pack in teaching to go farming.
If your in a more Mickey Mouse off farm job you are more likely to grow and expand your farming enterprise. More likely to view the farm as your number one priority. More likely to increase time spent on the farm and reduce time spent working off farm as your finances improve.