Damien and Carissa Schneider are using their sense of humour and the power of social media to recruit a much-needed farm worker.
Mr Schneider titled his eye-catching spiel "Farmer Wants a Worker (wife position already filled)" on several Riverina buy, swap and sell social media sites.
"It is hard for everyone at the moment getting staff, it seems people have evaporated from all industries," Mr Schneider said.
"We think you have to stand out from the pack a little bit and add a bit of fun to it to attract the right person," he said.
The Schneiders are recruiting for a farm operations manager for their property at Culcairn, in southern New South Wales, which is primarily dryland cropping, with some sheep and cattle.
"Creating a fun working environment is important to us, as I think we have all had crap jobs which put you down in the dumps and you spend a lot of time looking at the clock," Mr Schneider said.
"So, if you can have a bit of fun doing it, it takes that edge off it and flexibility is always a big part of any job now."
Initiative and common sense critical
While the job can vary from day to day, from driving a harvester, to sowing a crop, moving sheep or fixing a fence, the Schneiders don't expect their new employee to be experienced in all facets of farming.
"It's initiative and common sense that's the big thing for us, and willingness to learn and ask questions when needed that is really important," Ms Schneider said.
"We love to communicate, and we want someone that is willing to do the same," she said.
The Schneiders were sifting through the 50 direct messages and emails they have already had in response to their social media post by seeing if applicants meet their values of fun, passion and innovativeness.
Gumboots desirable, not essential
It's been a very wet sowing season for the Schneiders who will soon wrap up planting their wheat, canola, barley, and fava bean crops.
Their new recruit may need to come with suitable footwear.
"We might have a spare pair of gumboots available, but hopefully we don't need them too much longer," Mr Schneider said.
"But there's money in mud so they say."
Wait it out for the right person
Despite their social media push to find a worker, the job won't be filled in a hurry.
"We are not going to just hire someone out of urgency; we are ... willing to wait for the right person," Ms Schneider said.
"We have definitely learnt from the past in hiring on urgency and it doesn't always work out so well, so we are really passionate about getting someone that fits our workplace culture."
Modern facilities key to recruitment
Large-scale wool grower and sheep producer Will Shippen farms at Moulamein and Oura in southern New South Wales, and Mortlake in Victoria.
He also knows the challenges of recruiting staff, in particular shearers and wool handlers.
"It's just like any industry everyone has got their issues with labour, but once you get the good crews you have just got to look after them and do your best to keep them," Mr Shippen said.
Mr Shippen said maintaining good working facilities was key to attracting workers.
"Having updated shearing sheds and good shearers' quarters definitely helps and keeps everyone happy," he said.
Mr Shippen said shearing and wool handling staff deserved to have modern facilities for the hard work they undertake.
"The days of running run down sheds are probably pretty numbered and if you're in the sheep and wool game, your wool shed is your main showpiece; it's no different to a cropper owning a big flash header," he said.
"If you keep them all maintained and in good order I think it puts you in good stead to get shearers."
