Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent

Find Schools Near

Life As a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent

Example of Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent Job Purchase farm products either for further processing or resale. Includes tree farm contractors, grain brokers and market operators, grain buyers, and tobacco buyers.

A Day in the Life of a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent

  • Sell supplies, such as seed, feed, fertilizers, or insecticides, arranging for loans or financing as necessary.
  • Examine or test crops or products to estimate their value, determine their grade, or locate any evidence of disease or insect damage.
  • Estimate land production possibilities, surveying property and studying factors such as crop rotation history, soil fertility, or irrigation facilities.
  • Calculate applicable government grain quotas.
  • Advise farm groups or growers on land preparation or livestock care techniques that will maximize the quantity and quality of production.
  • Arrange for transportation or storage of purchased products.

Featured schools near , edit

Skills Needed to be a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent

Below is a list of the skills most Farm Product Buyers and Purchasing Agents say are important on the job.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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

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.

Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

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

Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

  • Livestock Commission Agent
  • Any Commodity Buyer
  • Field Contractor
  • Cotton Broker
  • Cotton Agent

Are There Job Opportunities for Farm Product Buyers and Purchasing Agents?

There were about 13,700 jobs for Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,400 job openings in this field each year.

undefined

The states with the most job growth for Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent are Utah, Washington, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in Mississippi, Ohio, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What Tools do Farm Product Buyers and Purchasing Agents Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Farm Product Buyers and Purchasing Agents:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • SAP
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft Dynamics GP
  • IBM Lotus Notes
  • Deltek Costpoint
  • Inventory management systems
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP system

Becoming a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent

Education needed to be a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent:

undefined

How Long Does it Take to Become a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent?

undefined

Similar Careers

Those thinking about becoming a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent might also be interested in the following careers:

Career changers with experience as a Farm Product Buyer or Purchasing Agent sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: {} via CC0 Public Domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More >

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.

Explore Schools

Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.

© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.