Environment & Sustainability

Agriculture

Don't just dismiss agriculture as offering low skilled and poorly paid work. The sector offers plenty to graduates with opportunities in agricultural consultancy, research and science, nutrition, field trials, plant breeding, genetics and soil science. In a broader context the industry also offers careers in health and safety, education, arboriculture, environmental management and engineering.

The sector has changed significantly in the last 10 years, moving towards schemes which boost the broader rural economy, advance environmentally friendly farming practices and help to modernise and restructure the farming industry. As a result of this, smaller farms are finding it harder to compete and it is likely that the larger outfits will be more successful in coming years.

Agriculture is also now placed in the context of wider national agendas. It is now more firmly rooted into the food supply chain, which in turn is affected by the public health agenda, driven by concerns over child obesity and poor diet which then dictates policy on consumption. This is particularly true for food provision to the public sector such as schools, hospitals, and prisons.

A further important influencing factor is sustainability which relates to producing food in an environmentally friendly way with reduced carbon emissions. Consumers are becoming more aware of the issues around food production and a recent example of this is the move by larger supermarket chains to source locally produced diary products in the areas where their stores are based, reducing food miles and helping to benefit the local economy.

It might surprise you to find out over 70% of the land in the region is managed by agriculture. The geography of Yorkshire means that cattle and sheep production tends to be in the higher, hilly parts of the region, with arable crops and horticulture grown in the lowland and coastal areas. Sheep, beef and dairy production has stabilised after a decline but pig farming is lower in this region due to imports.

The Yorkshire region accounts for around 7% of the English dairy herd, amounting to approximately 650,000 tonnes of milk. Yorkshire has a strong milk processing capacity, with Arla Foods UK plants in Leeds, Settle and Northallerton, the Dairy Farmers of Britain site at Whitby and a number of smaller private dairies.

Volumes of potatoes, carrots and swede are significant and the region is a key producer of rhubarb and beetroot in national terms. Despite predicted declines or increases in certain vegetables, overall, the region is expected to stay fairly stable in terms of vegetable output except for salad crops which are expected to decline due to the increasing fuel costs needed to grow them in terms of heating. Only North Yorkshire has any significant fruit growth but in terms of the whole of the UK this is still low.

The average age of workers in this sector is quite old which means there is likely to be a shortage of skilled, knowledgeable workers as the current workforce grow to retirement age. Work as a farm manager can be approached from a degree level but consultancy, science and research roles in the area normally require postgraduate study with many of the regions Universities offering the relevant qualifications.

If you wish to start your own business in a rural area The Prince's Trust Rural Opportunities for Self-Employment (ROSE) and the Yorkshire Forward funded Growing Routes programme both offer help and advice as well as funding. Further details can be found via the links below.

Practical experience is rated very highly within the sector and a good way to gain experience is through summer work on a local farm or diary. Fruit picking can also be a good way to get some experience of working on the land and opportunities for seasonal workers are offered by various farms in Yorkshire as well as nearby Lincolnshire and there's loads of opportunities overseas if you want to guarantee getting a suntan while you work.

Further information on working in this sector and sector trends can be found in the trade press such as Farmers Weekly and Farmers Guardian.

Useful links:

Institute of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE)

The professional body for the land based sector.

Soil Association

The Soil Association is the UK's leading campaigning and certification organisation for organic food and farming.

Agricultural Development & Advisory Service (ADAS)

ADAS is the leading research-based consultancy to rural and land-based industries.

Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG)

FWAG exists to provide farmers, landowners and other clients with the best opportunity for environmental gain through cost effective, quality solutions.

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

BBSRC is Britain's lead funding agency for academic research and training in the non-medical life sciences.

The Higher Education Academy Centre for BioScience, Universty of Leeds

The Centre for Bioscience is the national Subject Centre for the biomedical, food, agricultural and life sciences. Its aim is to support teaching in Higher Education to improve student learning in the biosciences. Their website has a number of resources including an overview of career options in the Agriculture, Forestry, Agricultural Sciences, Food Sciences and Consumer Sciences.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

The Health & Safety Executive is responsible for regulation of risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain, including activity on farms.

Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV)

CAAV is a national specialist professional body representing members who are agricultural and rural valuers.

Growing Routes

Growing Routes helps people under 45 years old, living in rural parts of Yorkshire and Humber, to start new businesses.

Research School of Biology, Leeds University

PhD or M Phil/MSc in Agriculture related study by research.  No taught courses.

Agricultural Resource Management qualifications, Bishop Burton College

BSc and MSc courses in Agricultural Resource Management.