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Career Details

11-9013.00 - 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. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
1
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
929,800
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
911,700
Estimate
Change in Employment
-18,100
Estimate
Change in Employment %
-1.9%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • 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.
  • Maintain financial, operational, production, or employment records for farms or ranches.
  • Coordinate clerical, record-keeping, inventory, requisitioning, and marketing activities.
  • Direct the breeding or raising of stock, such as cattle, poultry, or honeybees, using recognized breeding practices to ensure stock improvement.
  • Negotiate with buyers for the sale, storage, or shipment of crops or livestock.
  • Coordinate the selection and maintenance of brood stock.
  • Analyze soil to determine types or quantities of fertilizer required for maximum crop production.
  • Provide information to customers on the care of trees, shrubs, flowers, plants, and lawns.
  • Analyze market conditions to determine acreage allocations.
  • Supervise the construction of farm or ranch structures, such as buildings, fences, drainage systems, wells, or roads.
Generic
  • Conduct inspections to determine crop maturity or condition or to detect disease or insect infestation.
  • Conduct or supervise stock examinations to identify diseases or parasites.
  • Determine types or quantities of crops, plants, or livestock to be grown and raised, based on budgets, federal incentives, market conditions, executive directives, projected sales volumes, or soil conditions.
  • Determine, administer, and execute policies relating to operations administration and standards, facility maintenance, and safety.
  • Direct crop production operations, such as planning, tilling, planting, fertilizing, cultivating, spraying, and harvesting.
  • Evaluate marketing or sales alternatives for products.
  • Hire, supervise, and train support workers.
  • Monitor activities, such as irrigation, chemical application, harvesting, milking, breeding, and grading, to ensure adherence to safety regulations or standards.
  • Monitor environments to ensure maintenance of optimum animal or plant life.
  • Obtain financing for and purchase necessary machinery, land, supplies, or livestock.
Supplemental
  • Replace chemical insecticides with environmentally friendly practices, such as adding pest-repelling plants to fields.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Administration and Management
  • 83%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Production and Processing
  • 78%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Biology
  • 76%
    Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
 Mathematics
  • 73%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Personnel and Human Resources
  • 68%
    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
 English Language
  • 68%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Food Production
  • 67%
    Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
 Economics and Accounting
  • 66%
    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
 Sales and Marketing
  • 66%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
 Mechanical
  • 65%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 64%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Education and Training
  • 64%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Chemistry
  • 62%
    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
 Transportation
  • 59%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 58%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 Law and Government
  • 57%
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 57%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 Building and Construction
  • 56%
    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
 Clerical
  • 54%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Design
  • 53%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 51%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Wrenches and drivers
  • Adjustable hand wrenches
  • Phillips screwdrivers
  • Pipe wrenches
  • Straight screwdrivers
 Holding and clamping tools
  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Multipurpose pliers
  • Tongue and groove pliers
 Pumps
  • Aeration pumps
  • Centrifugal water pumps
  • Drainage pumps
  • Turbine water pumps
 Dispersing and spraying appliances for agriculture
  • Aerosol foggers
  • Chemical sprayers
  • Composting equipment
  • Fertilizer injectors
  • Fumigation equipment
  • Impact sprinklers
  • Manure spreaders
  • Microsprinklers
  • Overhead sprinklers
  • Pop-up sprinklers
  • Spray attachments
 Compressors
  • Air compression equipment
  • Portable air compressors
 Veterinary equipment
  • Animal blood collection syringes
  • Animal vaccination syringes
  • Livestock castration equipment
 Poultry and livestock equipment
  • Animal feeders
  • Artificial insemination kits
  • Branding equipment
  • Egg gathering equipment
  • Milking equipment
  • Poultry incubators
 Product and material trailers
  • Animal transportation trailers
  • Powered trailers
 Aquaculture equipment
  • Aquaculture tanks
  • Cage nets
  • Clockwork belt feeders
  • Fish collection nets
  • Fish crowders
  • Fish egg counters
  • Fish egg sorters
  • Fish feeders
  • Fish graders
  • Fish incubators
  • Fish transfer pumps
  • Fish traps
 Heavy equipment components
  • Backhoe attachments
  • Snowplow attachments
 Earth moving machinery
  • Backhoes
  • Skid steer machines
  • Snow blowers
  • Trenchers
 Computer data input devices
  • Bar code readers
  • Handheld computers
  • Portable dataloggers
 Conveyors and accessories
  • Belt conveyor systems
  • Materials conveyors
 Weight measuring instruments
  • Bench scales
  • Grain scales
 Filter media
  • Biological filters
 Agricultural machinery for harvesting
  • Brush mowers
  • Corn pickers
  • Grain combines
  • Hay balers
  • Hay mowing machines
  • Mowing equipment
 Greenhouse equipment
  • Carbon dioxide systems
  • Fertigation equipment
  • Humidifiers
  • Hydroponic equipment
  • Mist control systems
  • Soil pasteurizers
 Power tools
  • Chain saws
  • Chipping equipment
  • Circular saws
  • Cordless power drills
  • Portable power saws
  • Power nail guns
 Forming tools
  • Claw hammers
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
  • Tablet computers
 Humidity and moisture measuring instruments
  • Dew point meters
  • Humidity meters
 Liquid and gas flow measuring and observing instruments
  • Digital flowmeters
  • Temperature monitors
  • Water level monitors
 Commercial fishing equipment
  • Dip nets
  • Fry nets
  • Seine reels
 Agricultural machinery for soil preparation
  • Drip emitters
  • Field cultivators
  • Field watering systems
  • Mechanized tilling equipment
  • Trickle irrigators
  • Weedeaters
 Product and material transport vehicles
  • Dump trucks
  • Hay trucks
  • Tanker trucks
 Surveillance and detection equipment
  • Electric timing devices
  • Security alarm systems
 Agriculture, forestry and garden handtools
  • Extended pole pruners
  • Garden hoes
  • Gardening shovels
  • Lawn edgers
  • Lawn mowers
  • Line cutters
  • Pneumatic cutters
  • Pneumatic pruners
  • Power mowers
  • Pruning tools
 Ladders and scaffolding
  • Extension ladders
 Specialized and recreational vehicles
  • Farm tractors
  • Multipurpose tractors
 Passenger motor vehicles
  • Farm trucks
  • Four wheel drive 4WD trucks
  • Sport utility vehicles SUVs
 Animal containment
  • Fish holding pens
 Lifting equipment and accessories
  • Forklifts
  • Utility forklifts
 Power generators
  • Gas-powered generators
 Audio and visual equipment
  • Global positioning system GPS receivers
 Agricultural machinery for planting and seeding
  • Grain drills
  • Transplanting equipment
 Dispensing tools
  • Grease guns
  • Mulch spreaders
  • Oil dispensing cans
 Cutting and crimping and punching tools
  • Hacksaws
  • Handsaws
  • Utility knives
 Electrochemical measuring instruments and accessories
  • Handheld dissolved oxygen meters
  • pH indicators
  • pH probes
  • Soil electrical conductivity measurement devices
 Water treatment and supply equipment
  • Ozone generators
  • Ultraviolet light UV water disinfection systems
 Welding machinery
  • Portable welding equipment
 Pneumatic tools
  • Power nail pullers
 Rough and finishing tools
  • Round metal files
  • Woodworking chisels
 Safety apparel
  • Safety gloves
 Filters
  • Screen filters
  • Water filters
 Metal cutting tools
  • Tubing cutters
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Accutech Systems Corporation AccuFarm-MGRHOT
  • Advanced Veterinary Services Ranch VisionHOT
  • AgData Blue Skies Accounting
  • Agevo Farm ManagerHOT
  • AgriSoft/CMC AgriSoft/ERPHOT
  • Argos Software ABECAS InsightHOT
  • Brihzon Solutions SMART Dairy Resource PlanningHOT
  • CattleWorksHOT
  • Countryside Data Ag Payroll
  • Custom Software Group CSG AgroSysHOT
  • Datatech The Farmer's Office
  • EZ-RanchHOT
  • i.Agri LandMark FarmHOT
  • Innovative Software Solutions PicasHOT
  • International Response Technologies CowChip - Ranch HouseHOT
  • Midwest MicroSystems Cow SenseHOT
  • Oracle NetSuiteHOT
  • Payroll software
  • Red Wing Software CenterPoint Accounting for Agriculture
  • Resource planning softwareHOT
  • Sanders Software Consulting FarmBooks
  • SAPHOT
  • Specialized Data Systems Ultra Farm
  • Time reporting software
  • Vertical Solutions Easy-Farm Accounting
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • FacebookHOT
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft VisioHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Staff scheduling software
  • Word processing software
 Data management and query software
  • Ag Connections Land.db
  • Ag Leader Technology SMS Advanced
  • AgTerra Technologies AgTrac
  • Alua Software Paddock Pro
  • Cattlesoft CattleMax
  • Data entry softwareHOT
  • Farm Business Software Systems Smart Feeder
  • Farm Files Crops
  • Farm Files Livestock
  • Fish stocking databases
  • Hatchery database systems
  • John Deere Apex Farm Management
  • KELTEC Systems HerdMaster
  • Lion Edge Technologies Ranch Manager
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Pear Technology Fieldman Farmer
  • PigCHAMP Care 3000
  • ProducePak Mobile Farm Management
  • SST Development Group Stratus
  • Stenco Technologies Farm Trends
  • TapLogic FarmLogic
  • Trimble Farm Works
 Industry specific software
  • AGCO Advanced Technology Solutions Fieldstar
  • MapShots EASi Suite
  • SST Development Group SSToolbox
  • Statistical analysis software
  • Sunrise Software CropSave
  • ZedX AgFleet
 Business function specific software
  • AquaSoft Farm Manager
  • Atlassian Confluence
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Information exchange software
  • CDA International Manifold System
  • Delta Data Systems AGIS
  • DIVA-GIS
  • Email software
  • ESRI ArcPad
  • Geographic resources analysis support system GRASS
  • Global Mapper Software Global Mapper
  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • MapInfo
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
  • TatukGIS Editor
  • Trimble AgGPS EZ-Map
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Mountain Empire Community College
Southside Virginia Community College