Farm & Ranch Occupations Job Description

The Impact of Farm and Range Complexity on Farmers, Ranchers & Other Agriculturally Managed Businesses

Over the decade, 84,800 openings for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers are projected, despite limited employment growth. Most of the openings are expected to be caused by the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or retire. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers watch the prices of their products.

They use different strategies to protect their finances. Farmers plan the combination of crops they grow so that if the price of one crop goes down, they have enough income from another crop to make up for the loss. Farmers and ranchers track disease and weather conditions to see if they affect crop yields or animal health.

Farmers and ranchers may be able to store their crops or keep their animals in order to take advantage of higher prices later in the year if they plan ahead. Farmers can sell a portion of their goods directly to consumers through farmer's markets or cooperatives to reduce their financial risk and to gain a larger share of the final price of their goods. The size of the farm or range affects which tasks farmers and ranchers handle.

Those who run small farms or ranges can do a lot of things, including harvesting and inspecting the land, growing crops, and raising animals. They keep records, service machinery, and buildings. Farmers and ranchers who run large farms usually hire other people to help with physical work.

Truck drivers, sales representatives, and information technology specialists are some of the workers on large farms. Improvements in animal breeding methods and seed science are what farmers and ranchers look for. Farmers watch their herds and may assist in births.

Farm and Ranch Managers: Planning, Directing or Coordinating Operations

Farm and Ranch Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the management of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, or supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, financial, or marketing activities.

Farm and Ranch Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the management of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, or supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, financial, or marketing activities.

They also run dairy farms that produce bulk milk. Farm and Ranch Managers are often in charge of the operations of dairy farms that produce bulk milk. They monitor the use of pasture and land use to make sure that livestock are fed properly and that the land is used for other purposes.

Farm and Ranch Managers negotiate with buyers for the sale, storage, or shipment of crops or livestock. They can demonstrate or explain working techniques to farm or ranch workers. Farm and Ranch Managers evaluate marketing and sales alternatives for their products on a weekly to monthly basis.

The Growth of Agriculture in the Next Decade

Over the decade, about 138,900 openings for agricultural workers are projected. Most of the openings are expected to be caused by the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or retire. A variety of farm equipment is used to plow and sow seeds, as well as to maintain and harvest crops.

They may use machines such as balers and tractor. Minor repairs to machines and equipment can be made by workers. Workers and laborers perform a wide range of tasks related to growing and harvesting crops.

They pack and load crops for shipment. It is possible that agricultural work is dangerous. The risk of exposure to pesticides is minimized if workers follow safety procedures.

Workers must stay alert because farm machinery can cause serious injuries. Agricultural workers who deal with animals are at risk of being bitten, kicked, or stung. Some agricultural workers want to become farmers, ranchers or agricultural managers and own their own farms.

Knowledge of produce and livestock can be used to become a buyer or purchasing agent. College graduates who earn a degree in agricultural science can become food scientists. Employment of agricultural equipment operators is projected to increase 13 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations and faster than any other type of agricultural worker.

The Employment of Farmers, Ranchers and Other Agriculturists

The employment of farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about the same as the average for all occupations. The owners of large tracts of land who don't live on the property will increasingly seek the expertise of agricultural managers to run their farms and ranches as businesses. The projected decline in the number of acres being used for farming is not expected to affect output.

Demand for meat and dairy products should increase, which will result in higher livestock production. Some small-scale farmers may improve their job prospects by developing successful market niches that involve direct contact with their customers. Many are looking for opportunities in organic food production.

Farmers can capture a greater share of consumers' food dollars by selling their output at farmers' markets that cater to urban and suburban consumers. The median annual wage for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers was $66,360 in May of 2016 Half of the workers in an occupation earn more than the median wage, and half earn less.

The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,020, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $126,070. Farmers and ranchers have differing incomes because of weather conditions and other factors. Farmers can receive government subsidies that add to their income and reduce the risks of farming, as well as earning income from their farm business.

Most agricultural managers work full time. The number of hours worked on the farm can change according to the season. Farmers and farm managers work from sunrise to sunset.