What Do Farm and Ranch Managers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Farm and Ranch 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, or 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, financial, or marketing activities. They also operate or oversee the operations of dairy farms that produce bulk milk.

Other tasks include:

• Inspect orchards or fields to determine crop maturity or condition or to detect disease or insect infestation.
• Direct crop production operations, such as planning, tilling, planting, fertilizing, cultivating, spraying, or harvesting.
• Monitor activities, such as irrigation, chemical application, harvesting, milking, breeding, or grading, to ensure adherence to safety regulations or standards.
• Plan crop activities based on factors such as crop maturity or weather conditions.
• Maintain financial, operational, production, or employment records for farms or ranches.
• Direct the breeding or raising of stock, such as cattle, poultry, or honeybees, using recognized breeding practices to ensure stock improvement.

We asked Farm and Ranch Managers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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72% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 74% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Farm and Ranch Managers operate or oversee the operations of dairy farms that produce bulk milk. They monitor pasture or grazing land use to ensure that livestock are properly fed or that conservation methods, such as rotational grazing, are used.

A typical day for a Farm and Ranch Manager will also include:

• Inspect farm or ranch equipment to ensure proper functioning.
• Inspect orchards or fields to determine crop maturity or condition or to detect disease or insect infestation.
• Direct the breeding or raising of stock, such as cattle, poultry, or honeybees, using recognized breeding practices to ensure stock improvement.
• Direct crop production operations, such as planning, tilling, planting, fertilizing, cultivating, spraying, or harvesting.
• Monitor activities, such as irrigation, chemical application, harvesting, milking, breeding, or grading, to ensure adherence to safety regulations or standards.

We asked some Farm and Ranch Managers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	64% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	44% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	82% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	17% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	53% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Farm and Ranch Managers also negotiate with buyers for the sale, storage, or shipment of crops or livestock. They may also demonstrate or explain working techniques, practices, or safety regulations to farm or ranch workers.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Farm and Ranch Managers Evaluate marketing or sales alternatives for farm or ranch products. They might also Inspect orchards or fields to determine crop maturity or condition or to detect disease or insect infestation.

In addition, they Maintain financial, operational, production, or employment records for farms or ranches.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Prepare budgets or financial reports for farm or ranch operations.

To some Farm and Ranch Managers, it is also their responsibility to Select or purchase machinery, equipment, livestock, or supplies, such as seed, feed, fertilizer, or chemicals.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Farm and Ranch Manager, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/farmers-ranchers-and-other-agricultural-managers.htm

http://www.usda.gov/newfarmers

https://nifa.usda.gov/program/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-bfrdp

http://www.cfra.org/