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Farm or Ranch Manager

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What is a Farm or Ranch Manager?

Job Description: 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.

Life As a Farm or Ranch Manager: What Do They Do?

  • Plan crop activities based on factors such as crop maturity or weather conditions.
  • Prepare budgets or financial reports for farm or ranch operations.
  • Maintain financial, operational, production, or employment records for farms or ranches.
  • Direct crop production operations, such as planning, tilling, planting, fertilizing, cultivating, spraying, or harvesting.
  • Demonstrate or explain working techniques, practices, or safety regulations to farm or ranch workers.
  • Plan and direct development or production of hardier or higher-yield hybrid plant varieties.

What Every Farm or Ranch Manager Should Know

When polled, Farm and Ranch Managers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

  • Seed Corn Production Manager
  • Cropper
  • Viticulturist
  • Sow Farm Manager
  • Crop, Grain, or Livestock Farm Manager

Job Demand for Farm and Ranch Managers

In the United States, there were 1,028,700 jobs for Farm or Ranch Manager in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Farm or Ranch Manager. There will be an estimated 74,300 positions for Farm or Ranch Manager per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Farm or Ranch Manager are Oregon, Nevada, and Massachusetts. Watch out if you plan on working in South Carolina, California, or Hawaii. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Farm or Ranch Manager Make?

The salary for Farm and Ranch Managers ranges between about $35,440 and $136,940 a year.

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Farm and Ranch Managers who work in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, or North Carolina, make the highest salaries.

How much do Farm and Ranch Managers make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Arizona $75,870
Arkansas $67,520
California $91,670
Florida $71,880
Georgia $84,110
Idaho $60,470
Illinois $66,820
Indiana $64,030
Iowa $82,070
Kentucky $78,290
Louisiana $75,170
Maryland $89,660
Massachusetts $65,710
Michigan $67,030
Minnesota $95,000
Missouri $62,850
Nebraska $67,190
Nevada $90,900
North Carolina $100,370
Ohio $78,330
Oklahoma $57,230
Oregon $68,450
Pennsylvania $90,650
South Carolina $79,070
Tennessee $60,490
Texas $81,330
Virginia $84,630
Washington $86,640
Wisconsin $72,550
Wyoming $84,720

What Tools do Farm and Ranch Managers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Farm and Ranch Managers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Email software
  • SAP
  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • Payroll software
  • Geographic resources analysis support system GRASS
  • MapInfo
  • ESRI ArcPad
  • John Deere Apex Farm Management
  • Ag Leader Technology SMS Advanced
  • Midwest MicroSystems Cow Sense
  • CDA International Manifold System
  • SST Development Group SSToolbox
  • Cattlesoft CattleMax
  • Global Mapper Software Global Mapper

Becoming a Farm or Ranch Manager

What education or degrees do I need to become a Farm or Ranch Manager?

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What work experience do I need to become a Farm or Ranch Manager?

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Farm and Ranch Managers Sector

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The table below shows the approximate number of Farm and Ranch Managers employed by various industries.

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References:

Image Credit: Billy Hathorn via Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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