Farm Management
Farmers and farm managers undertake farming operations to raise livestock and cultivate crops, fruit, vegetables and other agricultural products.
Farm managers often specialise in:
- Crop Production: Perform annual tasks to grow a wide variety of crops such as grains, oilseeds, sugar cane, cotton, fruits, and vegetables.
- Livestock Production: Manage the breeding and raising of a wide range of animals including beef and dairy cattle, sheep, pigs, horses and poultry.
Tasks common for Farm Managers
- Prepare or assist with preparation of annual forecasts, budgets and other business plans
- Recruit, supervise and ensure the ongoing training of farm staff
- Maintain production and farm records including estimated operating costs, ordering farm inputs, marketing produce and monitoring animal health nutrition
- Control costs of production in line with budget expectations
- Produce crops and/or livestock to achieve volume, quality and cost objectives
- Clean and maintain buildings, sheds, equipment and facilities to ensure health standards and high quality of produce
- Ensure safe and effective handling of equipment
- Undertake activities to minimise environmental degradation. Monitor environmental effects of farming activities and repair existing damage
- Plan and organise marketing and sale of produce to achieve high returns
Some industries that employ Farm Managers
- Self-employment as a farmer of their own land or a leasehold property rented from a landowner
- A farm manager may be an employee who is paid a salary to manage a farm or group of farms
Aptitudes for this career
Farm managers require good planning and problem solving skills, and the ability to work independently. Good computer and mechanical skills are an advantage, together with a capacity for working outdoors.
Course Choices for Farm Management