At the farm Opphus in Åsmarka in Ringsaker, 18-year-old Oliver Kvarberg is the replacement. Here he helps the farmer with the care of the animals, driving the tractor, and the big and small things that need to be done on a farm. The help is crucial for the farmer to have the opportunity to take time off, or to be away from work if she is ill. Kvarberg’s goal is to become a farmer himself. But farming is demanding and unprofitable. In addition, there is a lack of normal rights and conditions, such as the right to sick leave. Substitutes in agriculture Substitute is a profession in agriculture. As a substitute, you take over the work on a farm so that the farmer can have holidays and free time, or help when they are ill. A replacement can be employed in the replacement teams. In that case, the replacement teams are responsible for wages and personnel follow-up. The replacement teams provide insurance schemes for the employees. Norwegian Agricultural Services organizes around 100 replacement teams across the country. Work even if they are ill Close to 20 per cent of farmers work even if they feel ill, and that this happens more often than once a month. This is shown by a new survey carried out by Agri analysis for Landkreditt. And 27 percent of Norwegian farmers say that the same thing happens less than three months apart. Altogether, it is therefore close to half of Norwegian farmers who work relatively often, even if they would prefer to take sick leave in a “regular job”. – It is wrong that it should be like that, says Kvarberg. REPLACEMENT: Oliver Kvarberg has good control over the sheep on the farm Opphus in Åsmarka. Here, the 18-year-old has worked as a substitute for over five years. Lack of replacements The 18-year-old believes part of the reason why the number is high is that it is expensive and difficult to get hold of replacements. – But it is such an expensive investment to have someone working on the farm. He himself often receives calls from farmers who need extra help when they are ill. He is well known on many of the farms, and it is rarely a problem to step in at short notice. But not all farmers have access to substitutes who know the farm. – It’s not just coming to a farm and looking after the animals if you’ve never been there before. There are quite a few variations within the production. Training replacements is expensive and time-consuming, he explains. In addition, there are often young people in the replacement profession, and these often disappear on to other things. Then the whole process starts again. BEFORE: Oliver Kvarberg is not from a farm himself, but has had a dream of working in agriculture since he was a child. Photo: Carl Anders Brynildsen Sørheim A negative spiral Siv Nordseth is an HSE advisor at Norwegian Agricultural Advisory. She believes that more arrangements should be put in place to ensure that the farmer can take it easy in the event of illness. – There is a lot of follow-up work and paperwork. It’s not just about calling in sick. In addition, you must have someone to look after the animals, says Nordseth. ADVISOR: HSE advisor Siv Nordseth believes that arrangements should be put in place which to a greater extent ensure the farmer’s ability to take time off in case of illness. Photo: Privat For those who are lucky and get hold of a replacement, an agricultural substitute is basically finished after seven and a half hours. In that case, there is often more work that remains, Nordseth explains. – The farmer often has a longer working day, and then family, friends or the farmer himself must take on the rest of the work. Farmers who work when they are ill are also more prone to accidents and poor mental and physical health. – If you work, you get tired faster and run out faster. The quality of the work is reduced. It can go beyond mental health, and eventually to exhaustion, says Nordseth. Help when needed If all goes well for 18-year-old Oliver, he will one day be able to become a farmer himself. He then believes that good contact with neighbors and colleagues is important to avoid harm to animals and people. – It is important to help each other when needed, and perhaps when it doesn’t look like it is needed either, he says. FARMING DREAM: Oliver Kvarberg is not giving up on the farming dream, but is aware that it can be tough.
ttn-69
Farmers work even if they feel sick. Substitute Oliver Kvarberg believes farmers lack help. – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
