Business & Finance
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
Also called: Buyer, Cattle Buyer, Grain Buyer, Grain Market Advisor
US median pay
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not published
Job growth 2025–35
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Openings a year (US)
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Typical entry education
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Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Purchase farm products either for further processing or resale. Includes tree farm contractors, grain brokers and market operators, grain buyers, and tobacco buyers. May negotiate contracts.
What they do day to day
- Purchase, for further processing or for resale, farm products, such as milk, grains, or Christmas trees.
- Negotiate contracts with farmers for the production or purchase of farm products.
- Maintain records of business transactions and product inventories, reporting data to companies or government agencies as necessary.
- Review orders to determine product types and quantities required to meet demand.
- Arrange for transportation or storage of purchased products.
- Coordinate or direct activities of workers engaged in cutting, transporting, storing, or milling products and maintaining records.
- Arrange for processing or resale of purchased products.
- Examine or test crops or products to estimate their value, determine their grade, or locate any evidence of disease or insect damage.
- Estimate land production possibilities, surveying property and studying factors such as crop rotation history, soil fertility, or irrigation facilities.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Negotiation3.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Systems Analysis2.9/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Food Production4.1/5
- Sales and Marketing4.0/5
- Economics and Accounting3.8/5
- Transportation3.8/5
- English Language3.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.