Career Explorer > Career Details
| Livestock Commission Agent |
$49,980 Annual Average (US Bureau of Labor and Statistics) |
| Career Cluster: Marketing, Sales & Service | |
| General
Information: Livestock Commission Agents negotiate the sale of livestock of many different producers at a given market for a fee or commission. |
|
| Career
Information: Livestock Commission Agents buy and sell livestock on farms and at auction on behalf of clients. They may also draught primestock (sort stock into groups) for freezing/export companies. They keep records of the sale of livestock, arrange transport for the animals, as well as advise farmers on the buying and selling of livestock and on farm management. These agents may serve as auctioneers at livestock sales. Much of a livestock agent's time is spent traveling to farms and talking on the phone to clients. Agents also spend time at sale yards and at the office writing sale notes or talking to people in sales. They may use computers, diaries to record information and gear for working at farms, including weatherproof clothing. Agents need computer skills, as well as organizational, problem solving and negotiating skills. |
|
| Educational
Requirements: 2 year degree |
|
| Suggested High School/Collegiate
Courses: Agriculture, finance, economics, accounting, math, business and accounting. Degree in Ag Business |
|
| Skills
Necessary: Mathematical , Highly Motivated , Organizational , Work independently , Decision Making , Computer Skills , Written Communications , Detail Oriented , Works under pressure , Sales , Basic Business Principles , Responsible , Goal Oriented , Customer Service , Good with Animals , Good Judgment , Determination , Confidence |
|
| Job
Availability: Steady Growth |
|
| Location
of jobs: Because of the connection with Internet and other technologies, livestock commission agents may live anywhere. |
|
| Working
Conditions: Livestock Commission Agents work in all weather conditions. They routinely handle animals and their work may involve some heavy lifting. They usually work long hours. They often start early in the morning to make phone calls before going out to meet clients. Some weekend and evening work is also required. Livestock Commission Agents mainly work with farmers, but they may also visit freezing works and consult with experts on farming problems. |
|
| FFA
Programs that Promote this Career: Agriscience , CDE: Dairy Cattle , CDE: Dairy Handlers Activity , CDE: Horse Evaluation , CDE: Livestock Evaluation , CDE: Meats Evaluation & Technology , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Exploratory , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Ownership/Entrepreneurship , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Placement , American Degree , Stars Over America , Proficiencies |
|
| Related
Occupations: Agriculture Business , Agriculture General , Global Business , Trader/Broker |
|
| FFA Sponsors/Employers in this Industry: Animal Source texas inc. , Calusa Creek Tree Farm , Carhartt , Dow AgroSciences , Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa , Fastline Publications , Furr Systems , GROWMARK, Inc. , Iowa State University , Midwest Grain & Barge Company , Shores Horse Blanket Company , Soppe Systems, Inc. , Technekes , Tractor Supply , Vantage Town & Country , Wilbur Ellis |
|
| Current
FFA Sponsor/Employer Opportunities Available: Advertising Sales Representative , Advertising Sales Support , Graphic Designer , Customer Service , Telephone Sales / Telemarketing , Summer Student Intern , Assistant Manager , Store Manager , Team Member , Receiver , Team Leader , Clothing Team Member , Sales and Marketing Summer Internship , Sales Representative , Intern , PCA Agricultural Crop Consultant |
|