My Other Life: Max Perris, Cunningham Lindsey, farmer

How did your interest in farming start?

I grew up in a rural community in the foothills of the Quantocks in Somerset, where agriculture is a key element of life. My farming interest all started through messing about on the farm with friends who were farmers’ sons until we were old enough to be put to good use on the farm and earn our keep.

How did you build up your skills?

I started my career working on a dairy farm in Somerset at 14. At 17, I moved to France for further education and worked on a large arable and tobacco farm at weekends and during holidays. Longer term, I couldn’t see myself doing anything other than farming.

What was the experience like?

It was brilliant. There is nothing better than being outside all year round and working with live animals. Dairy farming was the ideal way for me to learn discipline, have a laugh and push myself to the limits physically and mentally.

What have been the highlights of dairy farming so far?

The ultimate job satisfaction for me is experiencing the chain of life: inseminating a cow, calving the cow and nurturing the heifer into a healthy productive animal in the herd, all while ensuring a profit.

How has the experience changed you?

Dairy farming has made me a better person; I have great respect for the countryside and animals. If a cow has a bad experience, it can change who she is for the rest of her ‘career’, this has highlighted my outlook on people; first impressions are everything.

Any crossover between farming and your insurance day job?

The importance of relationships, customer experiences, time keeping and doing things right first time round is everything on a dairy farm. These principles are equally important in insurance. As Cunningham Lindsey’s specialist agricultural loss adjuster, my farming background has provided me with an invaluable insight into the industry when it comes to assessing claims on behalf of our clients.