Considerations When Hiring a Farm Manager

Managing a farm is a big job. From determining cash rent to planning the next planting or calving season, a farm manager can be an experienced asset to help when making decisions about a farm. Guessing around decision-making can cost farmers thousands in potential revenues that are critical for day-to-day operation and profitability. There are several ways and times to use a farm manager.

What is a farm manager, and what do they do?

Farm managers provide consulting services to farmland owners for a fee. The common areas to consult a farm manager include comprehensive on-farm visits, evaluating soil health, determining cash rent, assisting with licensed real estate deals, and more. Managers vary in responsibilities by situation, farm size, assets, and management company policies, which make choosing and hiring a farm manager a decision to be taken seriously.

Depending on the amount of oversight the farmer or landowner desires, individuals can inquire if a local farm manager offers specific services that provide advice but leaves the management of the farm with the customer. Others offer complete farm management services for a fee and will take care of more inclusive responsibilities, such as cash rent and grain marketing contracts. For various reasons, operations often bring in farm managers when a landowner can no longer handle the full responsibilities.

Some farm management offices are owned by financial institutions that provide loans for farmers leasing the land. At the same time, others are often at banks where there is no collaboration between the loan and farm management departments.

“An experienced farm manager with years of experience combined with good office support, good record systems, and fewer low-acreage farmers to manage can effectively manage many acres,” says Kevin Brooks, University of Illinois Extension farm business management and marketing educator.

Handling a large number of different farmers operating on a smaller number of acres typically requires more time and effort. When considering hiring a farm manager, asking several questions can help provide insight into how much time a manager can devote to a farm.

Click here to read more illinois.edu

Photo Credit: gettyimages-livingimages