Based on research carried out within the farming community and academic studies, this book assesses and explains the core skills needed to become a successful farm manager. Observation, anticipation of plan outcomes, and risk management are identified as key requirements, and each of these categories is broken down into isolated skills such as problem definition and visual observation, which are in turn dissected and analysed. Practical methods for acquiring or improving each skill are covered in detail, with practice exercises to engage the reader in active participation. This book is an essential resource for farm managers and students.

Part 1 Observation; 1.1 Introduction to Observation Skills; 1.2 Visual Observation; 1.3 Reading Skills (Observation); 1.4 Objectives and Skills; 1.5 Memory and Good Management; 1.6 Problem Definition - One of the First Steps; 1.7 Deciding Relevance; 1.8 Record Keeping; 1.9 Listening Skills; 1.10 Review of Observation Skills; Part 2 Anticipation; 2.1 Introduction to Anticipation and Looking Ahead Skills; 2.2 Imagination... Creativity; 2.3 Visualization; 2.4 Capturing the Vision; 2.5 Practicality; 2.6 Exercises in Anticipation; Part 3 Risk Management; 3.1 Introduction to Managing Risk and Uncertainty; 3.2 Measuring and Describing Risk and Uncertainty; 3.3 Sources, or Anatomy, of Risk and Uncertainty; 3.4 Attitude to Risk; 3.5 Management Options; 3.6 Subjective and Objective Probabilities; 3.7 Reinforcement: Risk Problem Scenarios; Part 4 Concluding Comments - Assessing and Improving Managerial Ability; Part 5 Assessments; 5.1 Introduction to Assessments; 5.2 Assessment of Management Style; 5.3 Locus of Control Test and Assessment; 5.4 Managerial Aptitude Test and Assessment; 5.5 Assessment of Managerial Bias in Decision Making; 5.6 Assessing Risk Attitude to Decisions; Part 6 Tests; 6.1 Risk Tests; 6.2 Observation Tests; 6.3 Anticipation Tests.