Agriculture workers discouraged due to the ‘hard work’

THE ongoing challenges of the employment crisis for the agriculture industry was a key topic at the recent Dairy and Farming expo in Korumburra.

Farm hands and landowners shared their personal experiences of working on the land, while a panel discussed the issue with key speaker Matt Harms of Onfarm Consulting.

Matt hosted the panel discussion for dairy farmers to hear the opinions on what makes a great employee, what employees seek from the dairy industry and what makes a great employer on the land.

Panel participants included Shiona Berry, farm owner in Glen Alvie, Tamara Loughridge, farm employee from Poowong North, Jasmine Kneebone, farm employee from Denison, Lachlan Harms, farm manager from Leongatha, Andrew Perry, dairy farmer from Kongwak and Matt Taylor, farm employee from Kongwak. 

The panel spoke of the industry being actively discouraged at a school level; with a very limited number of students going onto tertiary studies in agriculture.

Tamara grew up on a family farm and said that the job is her life.

She highlighted that she independently chose agriculture as her career path early on, and in secondary college, a farming career was never thought of as a first choice for students. 

Matt raised the question to the panel on whether the wealth creation opportunities in agriculture were mentioned at a secondary education level, or whether it was just perceived as a career of putting cuts on cows and getting ‘dirty’.

“It is with this negative public perception of a career in agriculture that is putting a strain on the industry, because the opportunities are not talked about enough and the dirty, hard work and not much pay, is all that is understood by secondary students,” said Matt. 

Jasmine is the only member of her family that works on a farm, and she explained to the audience that when it came time for her to choose somewhere for work experience, she was actively discouraged from pursuing agriculture as a career. 

“To increase the interest in dairy farming or agriculture, we need to give the kids a better idea of what is involved, it’s not just milking cows or working in the dirt, of course that’s what we do, but there are a number of pathways that agriculture studies can lead to,” said Jasmine.

Matt Taylor left his career as a tradesman to pursue dairy farming and loves his career choice and the opportunities.

“It is important as dairy farmers to not talk about the roles in a negative way, because we as the farmers can diminish the passion inside the young ones, the ones that do individually choose a career in agriculture.” 

The panel discussed the red and green flags on employment in the industry, stating that showing enthusiasm and passion for your own farm will help motive those who work for you. 

“Not only should the public change their negative perception on the industry but so should the landowners, if you love your farm then your workers will too,” said Matt. 

Other red flags raised included the hygiene of facilities, such as cleaning out sheds and maintaining a standard of cleanliness, which will help retain employees.

Farm owner Shiona said as a business owner, the industry must recognise if team members are leaving and why; and the importance of delving into the issue to help retain workers. 

Following the conversation, the panel and Matt worked out a formula that can help see farmers overcome their employment challenges, with a focal point on opportunity, hygienic and safe conditions, recognition for employees, respect, flexibility in rosters and pay, and removing empty promises – only mention career progression within the business if it is possible. 

“Empty promises in careers can be demoralising for employees, in which case it is important to be sincere from the start about career progression on the farm,” said Matt. 

“The panel were open and honest in sharing their thoughts on the industry and providing practical advice on how dairy farming can overcome the current employment crisis, whilst too encouraging people of all ages to follow their passions and get started in the agricultural industry because the possibilities can be endless.”