Jobs In the Agriculture Sector.
Are you wondering about the kind of jobs you would be doing once you finish your agriculture studies? We looked up some of the jobs available in NSW and the average yearly incomes to give you an overview of what you would expect. Agriculture is big in Australia with many roles waiting to be filled.
Here is a list of some of the most in-demand jobs in NSW we found. We also checked job search sites (indeed) to see some responsibilities, essential criteria and requirements for current roles.
- Agronomist
Annual pay $50,000 – $89,999.
Agronomists examine crops for the signs of disease, insect or pest problems, weed issues or problems with the soil. They think critically to solve problems concerning planting, cultivating, harvesting and protecting crops from pests, weeds and harsh climates.
Essential criteriaBackground in crop, weed, disease, pasture, broadacre and horticulture areas.
A tertiary qualification in agricultural science or a related field.
Knowledge of sheep and cattle animal health and nutrition products.
Responsibilities:Regular monitoring and reports on crops.
Provide instructions and advice to farming staff on pests and disease control.
Monitor soil moisture levels and recommend appropriate irrigation scheduling.
Monitor plant nutrition levels and advise appropriate fertilizer recommendations.
Conduct quality assurance on crop performance and planting results and advise on crop yields at maturity.
Ensuring inputs are onboard and available on time.
Record field activity data into software to enable reporting across each stage of the crop’s lifecycle.
Assist with the reporting and documentation of results based on new varieties and trials.
Assist with planting schedules and crop husbandry.
- Livestock Supervisor
Annual pay $70,000 – $100,000.
A livestock supervisor oversees and supervises farm operations at the livestock section such as; livestock management, fodder cultivation and other livestock-related enterprises.
Responsibilities:Responsible for the management of all aspects of Induction, Animal Health and Dispatch functions, including team performance.
Oversee daily livestock handling, animal health treatments, pen riding, cattle induction and dispatch, including coordination of drafting/weighing of cattle.
Team management, engagement, development and training positively and proactively.
Complete paperwork including NVD’s, NFAS Delivery Dockets & weigh-bridge dockets.
Maintain compliance with policies, including but not limited to WHS, HR, QA, Animal Welfare & Environmental obligations.
- Farm Machinery Technical Manager
Annual pay $60,000 – $80,000.
A farm machinery technical manager is in charge of servicing and repairing farm equipment, such as tractors and harvesters. They also work on smaller consumer-grade lawn and garden tractors. Most work for dealer repair shops, where farmers increasingly send their equipment for maintenance.
Responsibilities:Provide product technical support to distributors.
Investigate and process warranty claims.
Liaise with dealers regarding warranty and technical issues.
Oversee product rectification.
Participate in product testing.
Oversee product quality control inspections.
Assistance with new product development.
- Farm Manager
Annual pay $80,000 – $119,999.
A farm manager is responsible for obtaining better yield and profitability by deciding on the crops, livestock management and production, planning farming activities, supervising other staff, planting, spraying crop protection chemicals, harvesting the crops, marketing and selling crops, documentation of all details including financial aspects of the farm and strategic planning.
Responsibilities (cattle/sheep farm)Hands-on livestock management of sheep and cattle.
Maintain and develop the enterprise following farm plans developed with the owner.
Liaison with contractors and veterinarians to ensure smooth operation of all seasonal operations and compliance with animal welfare standards.
Fencing & property maintenance.
Sound mechanical knowledge and welding experience are essential.
Operate farm machinery.
Responsibilities (poultry farm)Operate and manage Barn Laid egg farm.
Collect and prepare eggs for transport.
Maintain Animal Health & Welfare Standards.
Maintain Product Quality and Food Safety Standards.
Maintain shedding, equipment, farm grounds and surrounds.
Maintain production and flock performance records.
Manage and supervise other employees, including their induction and training.
Liaise with management.
Implement company policies and protocols about Quality Assurance, Animal Welfare, and Workplace Health & Safety.
- Irrigation Leading Hand
Annual pay $70,000 – $100,000.
Irrigation leading hand is responsible for day-to-day irrigation operations and has the autonomy to implement irrigation programs suitable to the farm. This role also has a significant hands-on aspect and will see the hand monitoring soil moisture and maintaining the farm’s irrigation equipment and infrastructure.
Responsibilities Assist in training the technicians in irrigation and maintenance program requirements.
Liaise with contractors to ensure timelines and scoped works are conducted.
Assist in monitoring and managing the efficient and timely delivery of water and fertiliser to the orchards.
Maintain irrigation equipment and ensure the servicing and repairs of the irrigation system are carried out promptly.
Identify and report wet areas and undertake corrective measures.
Soil moisture monitoring and testing.
Implementing irrigation programs.
Chemical Handling.
- Organic Farm/ Production Manager
Annual pay $65,000 – $85,000
The production manager coordinates and executes the various tasks necessary to produce and deliver high-quality crops to market, including but not limited to: planting, pruning, thinning, spraying, mowing, irrigation, harvesting, packing, and processing (cider) of the various crops.
ResponsibilitiesMaintaining a clean and productive market garden (i.e. Ordering inputs, Bed preparation, sowing, planting, weeding, harvesting, washing, and packing.
Plan, implement and maintain organic production systems and coordinate farm operations.
Organise and develop sales with local produce shops and CSA members via communication with team staff.
Deliver vegetable boxes to pick up locations.
Monitor the maintenance of farm infrastructure and farm machinery and tools. Record keeping for:
Ecological monitoring.
Enterprise bookkeeping.
Yields.
Organic certification.
- Production Manager – Horticulture
Annual pay $49,200 – $76,000
Horticultural production managers raise crops, plan strategies for maximum yield and sustainability, organise farm or nursery administration, work machinery, organise associated businesses and manage staff.
They need to have technical and practical competence coupled with the ability to make sound business decisions.
ResponsibilitiesProcess management.
Managing site Work Health and Safety.
Work in the greenhouse to tend to and harvest flowering plants.
Work in the propagation shed to tend to mother plants, clone plants and plants in a vegetative state.
Complete day-to-day plant husbandry tasks such as daily checks, de-leafing, irrigation checks, pest & disease scouting, plant cloning and IPM spraying.
Operate cultivation equipment to assist in business operations.
Agriculture roles are not limited to these (see list below), you can always visit job sites to see what roles are there. You can also check the home affairs website to see the skilled occupation list for in-demand jobs in Australia.
Other Jobs:
Agribusiness
Farm production manager
Farm operator
Stock manager
Agribusiness manager
Dairy farm manager
Agricultural Manager
Irrigation Technician
Agricultural Consultant
Agricultural Manager
Head Gardener
Landscape Manager
Nursery Manager
Garden designer
Landscaper
Farmer
Sustainable farmer
Agricultural Biotechnician
Agricultural Economist
Veterinary doctor etc.