FARM OWNER

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

A farm owner will ideally come to the role with 3-5 years of farm management experience, and therefore have gained an overall understanding of all elements of management on farm. Of course if they employ a competent manager experience requirements are greatly reduced.

IDEAL QUALIFICATION

National Diploma in Agribusiness management, Level 5
National Certificate in Agribusiness management, Level 5
Certificate in Rural Staff Management (or similar)
An agricultural science / management bachelor’s degree

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Focused on improvement
Forward thinking
Delegator
Target focused
Strategic planning

OVERVIEW

A farm owner provides strategic management for the farm business. A farm owner may be proficient in all aspects of the farm business but depending on the size of the farm and the level of involvement of the owner they may be fully involved in other responsibilities (day to day activities, production, people, planning, financial and asset management), or they may delegate some of these responsibilities to other parties such as an operations or farm manager.

OUTLINE OF ROLE

An owner has a significant financial investment in the business and therefore is ultimately responsible for the performance of the farm business. An owner must be highly skilled in all aspects of farm operations, or able to employ a competent Sharemilker or Farm Manager. In addition, the owner must be competent in managing their investment in the farm and risk. This part of the role focuses primarily on the strategic growth and development of the farm.

The owner sets the business direction and policies within which the farm operates. In many cases they will also implement these policies, working as the Farm Manager. On larger farms the owner may employ others, and delegate responsibility to them.