What Do Farm or Ranch Manager Do?
Occupation 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.
List of Farm or Ranch Manager Job Duties
- Monitor pasture or grazing land use to ensure that livestock are properly fed or that conservation methods, such as rotational grazing, are used.
- Select or purchase machinery, equipment, livestock, or supplies, such as seed, feed, fertilizer, or chemicals.
- Change processes such as drying, grading, storing, or shipping to improve efficiency or profitability.
- Monitor and adjust irrigation systems to distribute water according to crop needs and to avoid wasting water.
- Determine types or quantities of crops or livestock to be raised, according to factors such as market conditions, federal programs or incentives, or soil conditions.
- Inspect orchards or fields to determine crop maturity or condition or to detect disease or insect infestation.
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Things a Farm or Ranch Manager Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Farm and Ranch Managers say are the most useful in their careers:
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 Jobs
- Game Bird Farmer
- Game Breeding Farm Manager
- Fruit or Nut Crops Farm Manager
- Sod Farmer
- Poultry Barn Manager
Are There Job Opportunities 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. The BLS estimates 74,300 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Farm or Ranch Manager Average Salary
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 different U.S. states?
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 & Technology 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
How do I Become a Farm or Ranch Manager?
Are there Farm and Ranch Managers education requirements?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Farm and Ranch Managers Are Employed

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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