All small business owners need to be problem-solvers. But none need this skill as much as the farmers. They are a vet, an accountant, an engineer, a mechanic, an environmentalist, a nutritionist, an agronomist, a HR manager, the list goes on and on.

But what is the most important skill to have above all else?

“It has to be communication and being organised,” according to dairy farmer Billy Curtain.

Having worked with Teagasc and as a herd manager, he is now in a 50/50 partnership with a 160-cow unit as he doesn’t own land.

“I’m the manager so I take my wage out of the business and the rest is split 50/50 between myself and my partner. It’s a very busy time of the year and I’m in contact with a lot of different people, so people management and communication is very important.

“So is being organised – if I don’t write things down they don’t get done, so you have to have a plan.”

For gaining skills, Billy advised: “Keep asking why because that is how you learn.”

I have a cashflow document that is living and breathing and constantly changing

Meanwhile, Brian Rushe said that for a farmer financial planning is a key skill.

Brian was a beef and tillage farmer, but converted to dairy in 2013, having returned home to farm.

“I studied business and worked in retail, but after a few years I realised it wasn’t for me. After living in Dublin for three years I returned home to farm.”

He put forecasting risk and being on top of the cashflow as one a top of the list.

“I have a cashflow document that is living and breathing and constantly changing. Analysing risk and planning has influenced every decision I make.”

Brian farms with his wife and his parents are also involved. The farm recently employed a farm worker and Brian said this made him much more organised.

“Employing someone, I learned very quickly that they want a plan so organising day-to-day stuff is very important, as well as having a strategic plan for the business.”

Learning from others

Brian added that farmers should take opportunities to learn from each other: “The first cows I ever milked were my own so I found good dairy farmers that I looked up to and asked them lots of questions. I’m also on a discussion group and the knowledge I have garnered is phenomenal.”

The financial skills aspect was reiterated by Ulster Bank’s Anne Marie Butler. “Take the time at the end of each week to review things. Farmers need to own their financial plans so that way they can revisit it,” she advised.

Meanwhile, Adam Woods, Irish Farmers Journal beef editor, put time management as the most valuable skill, especially for part-time farmers.

“For part-time farmers, they need to be strict at time management to make the best use of time in the yard.”

“It’s the simple things, such as having plenty of lights and it doesn’t take a lot to keep a farm yard tidy.”

The Agri Careers Fair 2017 takes place on Thursday 30 March in the RDS and it can be watched live here.

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