Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. They may hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. They may engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.
Farmers and ranchers manage crops and livestock. They manage farming businesses by raising crops, servicing machinery, and doing their marketing. Farming work involves managing nurseries, determining plant growing conditions, production and environmental data, regulating plant irrigation systems, etc.
The agriculture risk management jobs require maintaining reports needed by authorities, inspecting facilities and equipment, maintaining financial and other records, negotiating with buyers, employing people, dispatching goods and managing finances amongst others.
Farmers and ranchers receive their training on the job. An associate degree or a bachelor's degree at an agriculture college is helpful to enhance their understanding of plant and animal diseases, weather patterns, and technological advances in pesticides and other machinery for a good agricultural management salary.
Farmers and ranchers need managerial skills, knowledge of accounting, computer skills, knowledge of safety regulations, personnel management, communication, and conflict resolution. Mechanical aptitude and the ability to work with tools are needed to maintain and repair machinery or farm structures.
Agriculture business management careers can be hazardous as tractors, and other farm machinery can cause injury. Proper operation of equipment and handling of chemicals is necessary to avoid accidents. Farm jobs involve long working hours throughout the year.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- MBA Agribusiness Management
- B.Sc. Soil Science
- B.Sc. Horticulture
- B.Sc. Agronomy
- B.Sc. Forestry
Tasks
- Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.
- Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
- Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.
- Direct and monitor the transfer of mature fish to lakes, ponds, streams, or commercial tanks.
- Determine how to allocate resources and to respond to unanticipated problems, such as insect infestation, drought, and fire.
- Determine plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules.
- Devise and participate in activities to improve fish hatching and growth rates, and to prevent disease in hatcheries.
- Position and regulate plant irrigation systems, and program environmental and irrigation control computers.
- Prepare reports required by state and federal laws.
- Inspect facilities and equipment for signs of disrepair, and perform necessary maintenance work.
Progression Routes
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