Grain, Oilseed, Pasture Grower - Career Advice -Environments

Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Farm Worker
Turf Grower

In Australia, grain, oilseed or pasture growers plan, organise and manage the production of crops such as

Wheat,
Oats and Barley,
Lucerne
Soybean
Oilseeds (for example canola), and
Ryegrass for pasture crops.

They manage farming operations including the harvesting and storage of produce, the sale of produce, budgeting and business management, staff management, and property maintenance. They usually work in rural regions.

Did You Know?

We are the world’s second largest exporter of canola and grow this crop across much of the southern half of the continent (in every state except the NT).

The Conversation

(Source: The Conversation)

ANZSCO ID: 121214

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A grain, oilseed or pasture grower needs:

an interest in crop production and cultivation methods
planning, analysing and problem-solving abilities
mechanical aptitude and able to work with computers
good communication and organisational skills
the ability to manage a team and work independently
to enjoy working outdoors.

In field
(Source: Your Career)

Duties and Tasks

select and plant seeds
cultivate crop production by maintaining optimal growing conditions
harvest, store, grade and package crops for market and refinement or production.
assist with the sale and dispatch of raw product
perform or oversee farming activities such as fertilising, pest and weed control
maintain farm buildings, fences, equipment and water supply systems
keep and evaluate records of farming activities and plan production to meet market demands
may select, train and supervise staff and contractors.

Working conditions

Grain, oilseed or pasture growers work on the farm in an office setting and outdoors in the fields in all kinds of weather. They work long hours every day and during harvest season these hours can increase substantially. They operate heavy machinery, and chemicals and fertilisers are used in crop production. Adhering to occupational health and safety standards largely reduces the risk of injury.

Many grain, oilseed and pasture growers own and manage their own business. Earnings will depend on the level of demand for their products, commodity prices, and local and international markets, as well as expenses associated with running the farm, and weather conditions.

Tools and Technologies

Grain, oilseed or pasture growers use heavy machinery including tractors, header/combine harvesters and mobile plants such as grain silos. Protective clothing such as gloves, goggles, coveralls, high visibility clothing and broad-brimmed hats are generally worn to minimise risks. They also need to be proficient with computers and may need to use specialised farm management software.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a grain, oilseed and pasture grower without formal qualifications, however skills in farm management or crop production are usually required. You may be able to gain these skills through work experience in a related role or by completing a formal qualification in agriculture.

The Diploma of Agriculture is offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

You can also complete a degree majoring in agribusiness or agricultural science.

Did You Know?

What is Canola oil?

Canola plants in flower
(Source: Huffpost)

Canola oil was created by Canadians. In fact, the word canola is a combination of the words “Canadian” and “oil.” Prior to the production of canola, Canada imported most of its cooking oil, which is what inspired their development of this plant.

The canola plant was first bred in the 1960s on prairies, by scientists from the University of Manitoba. They took the rapeseed plant and used traditional breeding methods to do away with erucic acid and glucosinolates found in rapeseed. (It was these toxic components of the rapeseed plant that made the FDA ban the human consumption of rapeseed oil in 1956.) The new crop, which was trademarked in 1970, still looks the same as rapeseed but is an entirely different plant with a different nutritional makeup.

Canola is trademarked.

Canola is now grown all over the world. In order to use the trademarked canola name, the product must contain no more than 30 micromoles of glucosinolates and less than 2 percent of erucic acid. In other parts of the world, canola and rapeseed are labeled incorrectly, which leads to confusion about the difference between canola and rapeseed.

Canola pods

(Source: Huffpost)

Inside the pods are tiny seeds. There are roughly 20-30 seeds per pod. Each tiny seed contains 42-43 percent canola oil, which makes it a really efficient crop.

Canola seeds in pods
(Source: Huffpost)

Canola feeds our livestock.

Once the seed is pressed for oil, the remaining meal is used for animal feed.

It’s a healthy choice.

It is low in trans fat and high in healthier unsaturated fats. Eating Well often uses this oil in its recipes because it’s the “richest cooking-oil source of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fat that has been linked to heart health.”
(Source: Huffpost)

Worker

Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Farm Workers perform routine tasks on grain, oilseed protein, or pasture farms, such as cultivating and fertilising soil, and planting and irrigating crops. They may spray chemicals on crops to treat diseases and pests. Future Growth Strong

ANZSCO ID: 841213

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

Employers look for Crop Farm Workers who are reliable, hardworking and physically fit.

Coordination with others: Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
Monitoring: Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
Operation and control: Controlling equipment or systems. Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical thinking: Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

(Source: Your Career)

Duties and Tasks

Plants seeds, seedlings, roots, bulbs, vines and other plants using hand tools and farm machines.

Builds trellises for climbing vegetables and vines.

Operates farm machines to cultivate, fertilise, spray and harvest vegetables and other field crops.

Sprays plants, crops and pastures with chemicals to control weed growth, insects, fungus growth and diseases.

Thins, weeds and hoes row crops and vines.

Irrigates land for crop growth.

Selects and harvests crops according to size and ripeness, and discards rotting and over-ripened produce.

Grades, sorts, bunches and packs produce into containers and loads onto trucks.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Farm Worker without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Training is available through VET (Vocational Education and Training).

Working on a banana farm
https://youtu.be/ZIBIoP0dAzw

Turf growers plan, organise and manage the production of turf for use in public parks and gardens, sporting associations such as golf courses, playing fields and schoolyards, and domestic use in backyard lawns. They manage farming operations including the harvesting, sale and delivery of the product, budgeting and business management, staff management and maintenance of the property.

ANZSCO ID: 121218

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

an understanding of soil and plant science (agronomy) and care
knowledge of pest, weed and disease control methods and how to put them into practice safely
skill in using and repairing machinery including specialised turf equipment

Turf Grower
(Source: Your Career)

Duties and Tasks

Plans and co-ordinates the production and marketing of turf, from soil preparation through to harvest, taking into account environmental and market factors.
Selects and plants seeds.
Maintains crop production by cultivating and maintaining optimal growing conditions.
Organises and conducts farming operations, such as collecting, storing, grading and packaging produce, and organising the sale, purchase and dispatch of produce.
Directs and oversees general farming activities such as fertilising and the control of pests and weeds.
Maintains farm buildings, fences, equipment and water supply systems.
Maintains and evaluates records of farming activities, monitoring market activity, and planning crop preparation and production to meet contract requirements and market demand.
Manages business capital including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management.
May select, train and supervise staff and contractors.

Working conditions

Turf growers work in an office setting and outdoors on the farm in different kinds of weather. They may work long hours every day. They operate heavy machinery, and use chemicals and fertilisers in turf production. Adhering to occupational health and safety processes largely reduces the risk of injury.

Tools and technologies

Turf growers use heavy machinery including mowers, aerators, cutters and mobile irrigation systems. They wear protective clothing such as gloves, goggles and coveralls when using chemicals to minimise any associated risks. Turf growers need to be proficient with computers and may need to use specialised business management software.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as turf grower without formal qualifications, however, skills in farm management or turf production are usually required. You may be able to gain these skills through work experience in a related role or by completing a formal qualification in horticulture or sports turf management.

The Certificate IV in Horticulture, Diploma of Horticulture and Diploma of Sports Turf Management are offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

You can also complete a traineeship. The horticulture team leader traineeship usually takes 12 months to complete.