The agricultural crops industry is part of the environmental and land-based industries, represented by Lantra Sector Skills Council, which also includes the following industries: agricultural livestock; animal care; animal technology; aquaculture; equine; environmental conservation; farriery; fencing; fisheries management; floristry; game and wildlife management; land-based engineering; horticulture, landscape and sports turf; production horticulture; trees and timber; and veterinary nursing. The sector as a whole currently employs 1,126,000 people (approximately 4% of the UK workforce) in around 230,000 businesses. In addition, there are an estimated 500,000 volunteers working in the sector on a regular basis. Approximately 42% of the workforce is self-employed.
Traditionally, the agricultural industry comprised of small, mixed farming units consisting of both livestock and crop production. The industry has since moved to large arable units specialising in large scale crop production using large tractors and machinery. The agricultural crops industry includes:
- Combinable grains such as wheat, barley
- Oil seeds such as rape
- Sugar and potatoes
- Agricultural contracting
- Agronomy – field-crop production and soil management
- Crop consultation – advice on the utilisation of land
Key facts:
- There are 143,000 people working in the industry, in approximately 30,000 businesses.
- 97% of businesses employ less than 10 staff.
- The average age of key decision makers on farms is around 55 years, of which 50% do not have a successor in place.
- 83% of the workforce is employed full-time.
- 56% of the workforce is self-employed.
- 59% of the workforce has a level 2 or above qualification.
Jobs available in agricultural crops include:
- Trainee Farm Worker / Apprentice
- Farm Manager
- Tractor Driver
- Agronomist
- Farm Worker
- Farm/Company Director
- Material Handler Operator
- Sprayer Operator
- Combine Driver
- Head Combine Driver
- Assistant Farm Manager
- Associated Roles
- Farm Secretary
- Packer
- Pack-house Supervisor
- Pack-house Manager
National and regional data
England as whole has some 27,726 agricultural crop businesses employing 121,895 people.
East Midlands – There are an estimated 20,706 employees in the regional workforce, in around 5,131 businesses.
East of England – There are an estimated 29,290 employees in the regional workforce, in around 7,486 businesses.
London and the South East – There are an estimated 19,734 employees in the regional workforce, in around 3,303 businesses in the South East and 107 in London.
North East – There are an estimated 3,641 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,022 businesses.
North West – There are an estimated 4,325 employees in the regional workforce, in around 962 businesses.
South West – There are an estimated 13,779 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,998 businesses.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 14,028 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,591 businesses.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 14,652 employees in the regional workforce, in around 4,127 businesses.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 1,973 employees in the regional workforce, in around 308 businesses.
Scotland – There are an estimated 17,199 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,593 businesses.
Wales – There are an estimated 1,649 employees in the regional workforce, in around 186 businesses.
[N.B. Data derived from IDBR, 2008 and Defra, 2008.]
