Agricultural consultant

As an agricultural consultant or adviser, you'll work to ensure your clients' businesses or enterprises are running efficiently, sustainably and profitably. You'll need to be aware of the practical, business and legal implications of the advice you give.

Clients may include:

• farmers
• growers
• landowners
• conservation organisations
• public bodies
• other agricultural businesses across manufacturing, supply chains and services.

Types of agricultural consultant

As an agricultural consultant, you'll usually specialise in either technical or business-focused advice although some roles may combine both.

Technical consultants provide specialist advice on:

• agronomy
• environment and conservation
• livestock health and welfare
• nutrition
• waste management
• land use, soils and other technical applications.

Business consultants help with:

• business planning
• estate and financial management advice for agricultural businesses and farms
• personnel management and workforce development.

Responsibilities

As an agricultural consultant, you'll need to:

• visit clients (in person or remotely) to identify and evaluate their business and/or technical requirements
• assist clients with business planning, planning applications, environmental and land use schemes, government grant applications, legislative advice and new business ventures
• collect and analyse data, including digital farm data, crop yield and financial reports to measure performance
• prepare or modify business or operating plans to improve efficiency, sustainability or profitability
• organise and conduct field trials and on-farm assessments to find solutions to clients' problems
• plan and implement improvements for the client such as using more effective pest control measures (including integrated pest management) or finding more efficient ways to keep livestock while maintaining animal welfare standards
• organise presentations, demonstrations, training and farm walks for clients (both in person and online), colleagues, partnership organisations, professional bodies and other interested groups
• communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, with clients, colleagues and members of the public
• write advisory leaflets, technical notes and digital content, and possibly press releases and articles
• market and promote consultancy services to new customers, while maintaining existing client relationships
• research and keep up to date with policy, environmental regulation, technology and best practice developments in agriculture
• carry out administrative duties, manage budgets and accounts, update information using digital systems, and prepare reports.

Salary

• Starting salaries for consultants and advisers range generally from £23,000 to £30,000.
• With two to five years' experience, you could earn £30,000 to £45,000.
• Experienced consultants with five or more years of experience typically earn between £40,000 to £60,000, and possibly more in some senior or specialist roles.

Significant performance-related bonuses may be available, particularly in the private sector.

Charities and public sector organisations often pay less than private consultancies.

Agricultural consultancy or advisory work is usually project-based, so you may be paid an hourly rate or an acreage fee if working on a self-employed or freelance basis.

Benefits may include a company car or car allowance, as well as expenses for travel and accommodation.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours can be demanding and varied, depending on the season and clients' needs. A regular 9 to 5 working pattern is uncommon, as clients may need to meet in the evenings or at weekends, and long or unsocial hours are more likely during busy periods such as planting or harvest.

Part-time work and career breaks are possible once you're established in the role, particularly through flexible or self-employed working arrangements.

What to expect

• Working time is usually split between the office and the outdoors, although this can vary depending on the role. For example, crop consultancy involves spending most of your time on farms and at field sites, while a research role means more time spent in a laboratory or office-based environment.
• Self-employment can be an option once you've gained experience and established a network of contacts. It's common to work from home and manage your own workload if you're self-employed.
• Opportunities are spread throughout the UK and as a new entrant to the industry, you may need to be flexible about the location of your job and willing to travel.
• Although previously a male-dominated occupation, the profession is becoming more diverse, with increasing numbers of women entering agricultural consultancy.
• As a large proportion of time is spent away from the office visiting clients, it's not uncommon to spend long periods of time travelling alone by car. Occasional overnight stays away from home may be required, depending on the nature of the current job or project.

Qualifications

A degree in agriculture or another relevant subject is usually required. Degrees with a strong scientific, environmental or land-based focus are particularly useful. The following subjects may increase your chances:

• agricultural engineering
• animal or biological science
• crop and plant science
• environmental science
• horticulture
• soil science.

Studying business management, economics or entrepreneurship as part of your degree can be helpful, particularly if you want to enter the business side of consultancy.

Entry is sometimes possible with an HND, although considerable significant relevant experience is usually needed alongside this. The most relevant subjects are agriculture and horticulture sciences.

If you want to enter the technical side of agricultural consultancy, a Masters degree in a specialist area such as animal production or seed and crop technology may be helpful. If your research is in an area in which you will offer specialist advice, you may also consider a PhD, although this is not essential for most roles.

It may be possible to enter the business side of consultancy with a business degree supported by practical knowledge and experience of the agricultural industry. Postgraduate business qualifications are not usually essential and do not necessarily give a clear advantage.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• good communication skills, for establishing and developing relationships with clients
• marketing, negotiation and advisory skills, for the development of new business opportunities and the building of a client base
• technical and analytical skills with the ability to explain findings clearly
• the ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team
• financial skills and the ability to manage budgets
• a full driving licence, as the role often involves travel to rural locations
• good attention to detail and accurate record keeping.

Work experience

Entry into agricultural consultancy and advisory work is competitive. A broad knowledge of agriculture and farm management is essential, and employers usually expect evidence of hands-on industry experience. Without relevant experience, it can be difficult to secure an entry-level advisory or consultancy role.

Try to gain practical experience through farm management, rural surveying or planning, placement years, internships, vacation work or part-time roles, or other types of agricultural work. Speculative applications are often essential for trainee jobs and work experience opportunities, as many vacancies are not widely advertised. Research employers carefully so you can tailor your application and show genuine interest in their work.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

The main types of employment for agricultural consultants and advisers are:

• agricultural and environmental consultancies, such as ADAS
• charitable organisations, such as the National Trust, and environmental and conservation bodies, such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and wildlife trusts
• commercial companies supplying products, equipment and services to the industry
• farming cooperatives
• not-for-profit international organisations, such as the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux International (CABI)
• property firms that have specialist agricultural divisions
• the public sector, including organisations such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Some large agricultural consultancies offer graduate recruitment schemes that focus on farm management and agricultural business. These are usually advertised on employers’ websites, so check them regularly or contact employers directly to ask about upcoming opportunities. Specialist recruitment firms also sometimes advertise agricultural training opportunities.

Find out more about graduate opportunities in agriculture.

Once you've gained enough experience, you'll also have the option of setting yourself up as a self-employed consultant. Professional bodies such as the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) can provide support and networking opportunities.

Look for job vacancies at:

• ADAS Careers
• Farmers Weekly
• Farmers Guardian
• National Trust Jobs
• The Scottish Farmer

Specialist recruitment agencies, such as De Lacy Executive and Agricultural Recruitment Specialists, also handle vacancies.

Agricultural colleges and university schools of agriculture usually have established contacts within the industry and may have information on job vacancies.

For a list of agricultural consultancies and contacts that may be useful for speculative applications see:

• The British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (BIAC) Directory Search
• First Directory

Developing a strong CV and tailored cover letter early on is important, alongside building a network of professional contacts.

Professional development

The training you receive will vary depending on the size of the organisation and the focus of your role. You may receive in-house training from a more experienced colleague or a combination of short external courses and project work.

If you work on the technical side of agricultural consultancy, you may need to complete specific industry-recognised training. For example, crop consultants often undertake the Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme (FACTS), which demonstrates competence in nutrient management advice.

Training and qualifications are also offered by BASIS Registration Ltd for people working in the agricultural, fertiliser and environmental sectors. Courses range from short introductory programmes to more intensive qualifications, such as the BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection.

As an independent consultant, you're responsible for keeping your knowledge and skills up to date, both in your specialist area and across the wider agricultural sector. This is usually done through professional networks, training courses, conferences and membership of organisations such as BIAC and AICC.

Career prospects

In commercial agricultural consultancies, salary progression may be linked to performance and revenue generation. In the public and charity sectors, progression is more likely to be based on experience, performance and level of responsibility.

In smaller consultancies, opportunities for promotion may be limited, meaning that changing employer, relocating or developing a specialist area of expertise can be important for career progression.

Career development typically moves from junior consultant to senior consultant, then to team leader, with the possibility of becoming a partner or director. There is no fixed career structure, and some professionals choose to establish their own consultancy later in their career.

With suitable qualifications and experience, opportunities to teach or lecture at a university or college may also be available.