Farm and Ranch Workers

On the Job

Overview

Farm and ranch workers help raise crops and livestock for market.

According to the U.S. census, there are over two million farms in America. On average, each farm is about 430 acres in size. This represents nearly one billion acres of land.

Duties of farm and ranch workers vary with the type of farm and the season. Some work with food crops such as grains, fruits, nuts, or vegetables. They plow, plant, water, and fertilize plants to start their growth. Then workers cultivate and spray plants to reduce the number of weeds and bugs. Finally, they harvest and store crops. Depending on the size of the farm or what they are growing, farm workers may plant or harvest by hand or use machines. After the harvest, they sort and grade products for quality and package them for sale. Some farm workers may work only during the spring and summer months. Others, such as those on organic farms, may work all year because they grow cover crops during the winter months.

Other farm and ranch workers feed, water, groom, and care for livestock and poultry. They examine animals or birds for diseases. When necessary, they provide simple medical care, such as giving shots or cleaning wounds. Occasionally, they help with birthing animals. In addition, they tag or brand animals so owners can identify their livestock. Farm and ranch workers build or repair structures, such as fences or pens. They also keep barns, stables, pens, and kennels clean.

On larger farms, farm workers may operate equipment such as tractors, hay balers, and milking machines. They also may maintain and repair equipment that breaks down. For example, they may repair irrigation pipes or dig out trenches that are clogged. During busy times such as harvesting, farm workers may direct work crews. Farm and ranch workers keep records of farm production. For example, they record how the animals or crops grew, how much food they gave them, and how much they produced. By sharing this information with farmers, farm and ranch workers help improve future farm production.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Drive or operate farm equipment to plow, plant, cultivate, or harvest crops.
• May plant seeds or transplant seedlings by hand.
• Feed, water, groom, and otherwise care for livestock and poultry.
• Mark livestock to identify ownership.
• Clean barns, stables, pens, and kennels.
• Examine the health of animals, fish, or birds. Provide basic medical care.
• Irrigate soil and maintain ditches or pipes and pumps.
• Harvest, inspect, and grade products.
• Repair and maintain farm equipment and structures.
• Oversee work crews during harvest time.
• Record information about growth, feeding, production, and costs.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Control machines and processes.
• Handle and move objects.
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment.
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials.
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment.
• Perform activities that use the whole body.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a low level of contact with others. When they do talk to others, they do so primarily by telephone and face-to-face discussions.
• Work as part of a team.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of others when working with farm machinery.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other workers.

Physical Work Conditions

• Often work outdoors. Generally work indoors only when working with farm animals.
• Often are exposed to hazardous situations that produce cuts, bites, or stings.
• Sometimes are exposed to contaminants such as pesticides.
• Often are exposed to hazardous equipment.
• Sometimes are exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures while working outside.
• Sometimes are exposed to very bright or dim lighting.
• Sometimes are exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable.
• Sometimes wear protective attire, such as gloves and work boots.
• Sometimes are exposed to hazardous conditions. The likelihood of even slight injury from this exposure is low.
• Often work in enclosed and open vehicles or equipment, such as trucks and tractors.

Work Performance

• Must be exact in their work and be sure all details are done. Giving animals the wrong amount of medicine could hurt them.
• Must allow the work pace to be set by the speed of the equipment.
• Repeat the same physical and mental activities.
• Usually make decisions and set daily tasks and goals with considerable input from supervisors.
• Must meet daily work requirements.

Hours/Travel

• May work part time or full time.
• Usually work more than eight hours per day during harvest times.
• Usually work six days per week.
• May take vacations during the winter, if growing seasonal crops.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same motions.
• Bend or twist the body.
• Stand most of the time. May sit when driving farm equipment.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers or hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See details of objects whether they are nearby or far away.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• See objects in very bright or very low light.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.