All About Farm and Ranch Managers
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.
A Day in the Life of a Farm or Ranch Manager
- Negotiate with buyers for the sale, storage, or shipment of crops or livestock.
- Analyze market conditions to determine acreage allocations.
- Plan crop activities based on factors such as crop maturity or weather conditions.
- Evaluate marketing or sales alternatives for farm or ranch products.
- Supervise the construction of farm or ranch structures, such as buildings, fences, drainage systems, wells, or roads.
- Operate or oversee the operations of dairy farms that produce bulk milk.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Farm or Ranch Manager?
Farm and Ranch Managers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Types of Farm or Ranch Manager
- Pineapple Plantation Manager
- Inside Horticultural Specialty Grower
- Crop, Grain, or Livestock Farmer
- Farm Operator
- Field Horticultural Specialty Grower
Farm or Ranch Manager Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 1,028,700 jobs in the United States for Farm or Ranch Manager. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Farm or Ranch Manager. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 74,300 job openings in this field each year.

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.
Salary for a Farm or Ranch Manager
Farm and Ranch Managers make between $35,440 and $136,940 a year.

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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Farm and Ranch Managers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Farm and Ranch Managers may use on a daily basis:
- 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 is needed to be a Farm or Ranch Manager?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Farm and Ranch Managers Work

Below are examples of industries where Farm and Ranch Managers work:

References:
Image Credit: Billy Hathorn via Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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