I used to love sacking off assignments and heading to the pub at three o’clock. It was what we did, it was tradition. The work would get done eventually... just not right away.
Not being able to do that – to ‘get round to it later’ – was, honestly, one of the hardest adjustments I had to make after leaving student life behind.
Moving into a ‘real’ job was a huge shift. Suddenly there was structure, accountability, and a level of responsibility that felt worlds apart from what I’d experienced at university… and then there were the people.
“I now live in an entirely different world to what student Joe was living in...”
Joe Bramall, SYFAP 2022 alumni
After 15 years in education, I didn’t realise how much comfort I got from being around others at the same stage as myself.
It’s strange to think about, but it’s true: after university, you go from being surrounded by people your own age to working alongside anyone and everyone – from someone’s dad to a lifelong expert who, let’s be honest, has forgotten more than you’ve ever learned.
It’s a bit of a shock to the system and it can be intimidating at first, but it’s the kind of change that forces you to grow.
Working with the best
When I first joined the business, there was a certain person who intimidated me. They demanded detail, pace and results – and preferably all of it yesterday.
Two years on, after consistently showing up, delivering and proving I could keep up, that same person is now one of my strongest working relationships. I’ve learned a huge amount from them, and together we get serious work done.
The lesson? If you put in the effort, have the determination and show the right attitude, you can turn even the toughest critics into some of your biggest allies, and end up working alongside the best in the industry.
Placement ‘invaluable’
Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t all a trial by fire. One thing that made the transition easier was my placement year. I spent 12 months working in the McDonald’s beef supply chain as part of its Progressive Young Farmer programme, where I got to visit so many farms and processing sites, hearing all about the latest innovations in animal welfare, sustainability and the future of farming.
The experience was invaluable. It gave me a taste of the professional world that I’d never had up until that point, and most importantly, it meant I wasn’t walking blind into my first job after graduation.
Dairy farmer Joe was part of the NFU’s 2022 Student and Young Farmer Ambassador Programme.
Potential of robotics
Working for Lely is a real privilege. I grew up watching Lely’s YouTube videos on the farm and dreaming about working with robots one day, so when I joined as a graduate in 2023, it was quite a surreal experience.
Most people know Lely for its Astronaut milking robot, which has been on the market for more than 20 years, but there’s far more it has to offer. The Lely Collector (the ‘poo hoover’) keeps sheds clean, the Lely Vector automates feeding, and the Lely Exos cuts and fetches grass straight to the feed fence automatically.
But the most exciting development, in my opinion, is the Lely Sphere, a system that cuts shed ammonia emissions by up to 70% by separating manure and urine at source, capturing the gases, and turning them into three types of fertiliser. It’s an incredible step towards circular, sustainable farming.
It’s why I love what I do. Robotics isn’t just about making the work easier for farmers; it’s about making the sector greener. Greater efficiency means less waste, which is an essential part of a circular farming model.
If we want the public to view farming as we do, as essential for the health of both people and the planet, then developing solutions that help tackle waste must be a priority for us as a sector.
Working for a robotics manufacturer is seriously cool. It’s so exciting to be at the forefront of innovation. In January last year, I moved into my role in service management, and that’s given me further insight into what is possible – both for the dairy sector and for my career.
Since taking on my role, I’ve worked with nine dealers across the UK and Ireland, supporting the teams that help farmers every day, from technicians to franchise owners.
I’ve also been involved in projects with our HQ team in the Netherlands, and I’ve even had the opportunity to get out there for myself.
That trip was a real highlight. I was responsible for taking 25 farmers over to Lely HQ. As part of the visit, we toured three farms, visited the factory where Lely develops and builds its products, and walked through the Lely museum, which showcases decades of innovation.
Reflection
The feedback we received was great, and after I got back home I felt a real sense of achievement. It made me think about everything I’ve learned during the past few years. I’ve learned so much about communication, working with people, and managing projects – all skills that I know will help me back on the farm too.
Yes, it’s a big change; moving from university to work. It’s a big leap to go from working on the farm to doing a more ‘corporate’ role, but the amount you grow and learn as a result is huge. It’s not something to fear, it’s something to look forward to.
I now live in an entirely different world to what student Joe was living in, but I’m glad I’m here. There may not be as many 3pm pints, but I have a job that I’m passionate about and that makes it easy to get the work done.
