• Cotton Grower
• Flower Grower & Floriculturist
• Fruit or Nut Grower & Pomologist
• Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower
• Grape Grower
• Mixed Crop Farmer
• Sugar Cane Grower
• Turf Grower
• Vegetable Grower & Olericulturist

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Ability to delegate responsibilities

• Ability to hire, train and oversee many field workers

• Ability to maintain composure in tense and problematic situations

• Capable of operating farming machinery

• Knowledge of crop rotation

• Knowledge of growing and soil conditions for the area

• Physically able to withstand extremely hot, windy and stormy conditions

• Understanding of the market for crops

• Understanding of water and irrigation needs  
  

Harvesting Brussels Sprouts

Duties and tasks

• Planning and coordinating the production and marketing of crops, such as grain, cotton, sugar cane, fruit and nuts, vegetables, turf and flowers, from soil preparation to harvest taking into account environmental and market factors

• Selecting and planting seeds, seedlings and bulbs, and grafting new varieties to root stocks

• Maintaining crop production by cultivating, de-budding and pruning, and maintaining optimal growing conditions

• Organising and conducting farming operations, such as collecting, storing, grading and packaging produce, and organising the sale, purchase and despatch of produce

• Directing and overseeing general farming activities such as fertilising and pest and weed control
  •maintaining farm buildings, fences, equipment and water supply systems

• Maintaining and evaluating records of farming activities, monitoring market activity, and planning crop preparation and production to meet contract requirements and market demand

• Managing business capital including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management

• May select, train and supervise staff and contractors

• Develop new strains of plants and vegetables

• Ensure fields are maintain properly in non-growing seasons

• Ensure optimum production through proper cultivation methods

• Ensure soil is fertilized and plants are free of pests and fungus

• Ensure that crop production meets all contractual agreements

• Ensure that fields are ready for planting

• Hire, train and supervise farming staff

• Maintain accurate records

• Maintain irrigation systems, building, fences and farm machinery

• Market the crops

• Oversee all farming operations such as picking, grading and packaging of products

• Oversee the planting of seeds and bulbs

• Select seeds and bulbs suitable for the area  
  
  

Working conditions

Crop Farmers spend most of their time out in the fields and must deal with all kinds of weather conditions. This is a very stressful job as severe weather and drought can damage and destroy the crops. Even under perfect conditions, there can be considerable crop losses, however the financial benefits and rewards of growing exceptional crops can make up for any losses sustained in the past.  

Education and training/entrance requirements

At least 5 years of relevant experience is usually needed to work in this job (that's a skill level equal to a Bachelor Degree or higher). Around one in four workers have Year 12 as their highest level of education.

Did You Know? The Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) is geographically located within the Riverina area of New South Wales. It was created to control and divert the flow of local river and creek systems for the purpose of food production. The main river systems feeding and fed by the area are the Murrumbidgee and the Tumut. It is one of the most a diverse and productive regions in Australia contributing over A$5 billion annually to the Australian economy. (Source: Research Gate) The MIA was first established in 1912 following the commissioning of Burrinjuck Dam. Further expansion occurred in the 1970s with the completion of the Snowy Mountains Scheme and construction of Blowering Dam on the Tumut River, which meets the Murrumbidgee near Gundagai. The system is still regarded as a major engineering achievement comprising an elaborate series of weirs, canals and holding ponds (fed by upstream rivers and dams). Many of the towns within the area which include Leeton and Griffith were purpose built and designed for the project and remain as thriving communities today. The two towns are growing at a rapid rate due to sustainable employment. The growth of inland centres is unusual for central New South Wales which displays the uniqueness of the MIA. Much of the infrastructure of these towns was designed by Walter Burley Griffin who had previously designed Canberra. The irrigation area has become increasingly controversial in the early twenty-first century, after consecutive years of drought and a growing Australian population have led to demands for greater levels of water conservation. (Source: Wikipedia)

 

Crop Farm Workers plant trees, seeds, seedlings, roots, bulbs, vines and other plants using hand tools and farm machines. They also operate farm machines to cultivate, fertilise, spray and harvest fruit, nuts, grains and vegetables. Crop Farm Worker assists in the cultivation, harvesting and packaging of fruit, vegetables, nuts and berries on farms, orchards and market gardens. They may be responsible for spraying chemicals to treat disease and pests, irrigating crops and selecting suitable produce for sale as dictated by quality guidelines.

  
ANZSCO ID: 8412

Specialisations: Fruit and Vegetable Farm Hand;

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Highly experienced in planting, tending, and harvesting crops

• Exceptionally talented in looking after crops, lest they succumb to the disease

• Unmatched ability to perform harvesting duties

• Skilled in applying pesticides and fertilizers

• Specialized skills in identifying plants, pests, and weeds in order to determine the selection and application of pesticides

• Particularly effective in clearing and maintaining irrigation ditches

• Specifically skilled in repairing and maintaining farm vehicles such as tractors and mechanical equipment

• Special talent in inspecting, grading, sorting, and storing crops

• First-hand experience in loading agricultural products into trucks and tractors

• Proficient in operating farm equipment

• Adept at ensuring the maintenance and safety of warehouse stocks, supplies, and equipment

• Solid track record of effectually repairing fences, buildings, and equipment

• Expert in loading and unloading delivery trucks of produce, seeds, fertilizer, and feed.

(Source: Your Career)

 

Duties and Tasks

• prepare soil for planting

• plant crops such as grains, fruit, mushrooms, nuts or vegetables

• build trellises for climbing vegetables and vines

• spray trees, vines and other plants with chemicals to control weeds, insects, fungus and disease

• weed and hoe row crops and prune trees and vines

• select and pick fruit, nuts, grains and vegetables according to size and ripeness

• grade, sort, bunch and pack produce into containers and load onto trucks

• operate vehicles and machinery such as forklifts, trimmers, tractors and motorbikes.

Working conditions

Work is generally on farms in rural areas. Early morning starts and long or irregular hours are common.

Suitable for people who are physically fit, who work well with others and who are confident to operate farm equipment. Basic English, a knowledge of farming techniques and food production and processing are all helpful.

Education and training/entrance requirements

Formal qualifications are not required, however a course in agriculture, production, horticultural or rural operations may be helpful.

 

 

 

 

 

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

Agricultural Scientist	Floriculturist	Florist	Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower
Horticulturalist	Olericulturist Vegetable Farm Worker Vegetable Grower Vegetable Picker	Pomologist Fruit & Nut Farm Worker Fruit & Nut Picker

 

 

Materials sourced from the
Open Universities Australia;
Cover Letters & Resumes [Farm worker ; ]
  Your Career [Crop Farmer; Crop Farm Worker; ]

 

 

 

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