How to Be Agriculture Production Manager - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 8, 2022 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The role of an Agriculture Production Manager is to oversee and manage the production of agricultural products. This role is critical to the success of any organization involved in the production of food, fiber, and other agricultural products. The Agriculture Production Manager is responsible for making sure that the production process runs smoothly and efficiently while maintaining a high level of quality.

In order to do this, they must have a strong understanding of the production process, the necessary resources and equipment, and the best practices for production. If they are successful, they will be able to increase production yields while also reducing costs, thus leading to increased profits. On the other hand, if they fail to manage production properly, it can lead to reduced production yields, increased costs, and a decrease in profits.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. A bachelor's degree in agribusiness, agricultural science, or a related field is the minimum educational requirement for an agricultural production manager. In addition to courses in agriculture, students may take classes in business, economics, and animal science.
Pursue Professional Certifications. Professional certifications are voluntary and demonstrate a higher level of competency to potential employers. Agricultural production managers may pursue certifications through organizations such as the American Society of Agronomy or the American Society for Horticultural Science.
Gather Work Experience. Work experience in the agricultural field is important for aspiring agricultural production managers. Depending on the employer, this may include internships, temporary positions, or entry-level positions.
Develop Management Skills. Agricultural production managers must be able to manage teams of workers and understand complex systems. Prospective agricultural production managers should hone their management skills by taking courses in human resources, management, accounting, and finance.
Consider Graduate Studies. A master's degree in agriculture or a related field may give agricultural production managers an edge when competing for job openings. Graduate students learn advanced concepts in agriculture and business and gain access to research projects and seminars.

The success of an Agriculture Production Manager depends on their skills and competency. In order to be skilled and competent, an Agriculture Production Manager must have the right knowledge, experience and resources to manage the production process. They must have an understanding of the crops or livestock they are responsible for and the tools and resources necessary to efficiently manage them.

They must also possess strong organizational and communication skills in order to effectively coordinate a team of people and resources to achieve the desired outcome. Furthermore, they must have the ability to troubleshoot problems and make decisions quickly in order to keep production running smoothly. Without these skills and competencies, an Agriculture Production Manager will struggle to effectively manage the production process and yield successful results.

You may want to check Agriculture Business Manager, Agriculture Research Scientist, and Agriculture Equipment Operator for alternative.

Job Description

Plan and manage the day-to-day operations of the agricultural production facility.
Establish and maintain production goals and objectives, ensuring that all operational activities are conducted in a safe and compliant manner.
Monitor and evaluate production processes to ensure quality standards are met.
Develop, implement and monitor production schedules, ensuring that all products are produced within budget and on-time.
Oversee the selection, training and development of agricultural production personnel.
Coordinate the procurement and maintenance of materials, supplies and equipment necessary for production operations.
Monitor and analyze production data to identify areas for improvement and recommend corrective actions to maximize efficiency and profitability.
Analyze production costs and ensure that all activities remain in compliance with established budgetary constraints.
Establish and maintain relationships with vendors, suppliers, customers and other stakeholders.
Monitor safety and environmental regulations to ensure compliance with applicable requirements.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of agricultural production processes
Knowledge of crop management techniques
Ability to evaluate soil and identify potential problems
Ability to develop production plans and schedules
Ability to create budgets and manage expenses
Ability to manage personnel and coordinate activities
Ability to identify and evaluate new technologies
Knowledge of environmental regulations related to agriculture
Ability to coordinate with vendors and suppliers
Knowledge of safety protocols
Excellent communication and organizational skills
Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
Computer literacy in agriculture software, spreadsheets, and word processing programs

Good agriculture production management requires a broad set of skills. The most important skill for a production manager to have is the ability to make decisions and problem solve. In order to make informed decisions, production managers must be able to analyze data, review industry trends, and take into account various environmental factors.

They must also have a deep knowledge of the crops being grown, their growth cycles, and how they are affected by climate and soil conditions. Good communication skills are also essential as production managers must interact with a variety of stakeholders such as farmers, suppliers, and government officials. Finally, production managers must have good organizational skills in order to effectively manage their teams and ensure that all tasks are completed on time.

All these skills combined allow production managers to effectively lead their teams to successful yields and profitable harvests.

Agriculture Operations Manager, Agriculture Data Analyst, and Agriculture Compliance Inspector are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have managing and leading agricultural production?
What strategies have you implemented to increase yield and reduce costs?
How would you handle a challenging situation with a difficult employee?
Describe the most complex project you have managed in agriculture production.
What kind of feedback do you give your staff to ensure their development?
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in agriculture production?
What techniques do you use to identify and address potential risks associated with agricultural production?
How do you ensure that your team follows health and safety regulations?
Tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision in your role as an Agriculture Production Manager.
How do you motivate and inspire your team to reach their goals?

Common Tools in Industry

Crop Planning Software. A software that helps farmers plan their crops, such as when to plant, what varieties to plant, and what to do with the harvest. (e. g. Farmlogs)
Irrigation Scheduling Software. A software that helps farmers schedule and manage their irrigation systems. (e. g. IrriWorks)
Weather Monitoring Software. A software that helps farmers monitor weather conditions and forecast changes to help them adjust their plans accordingly. (e. g. Weather Underground)
Farm Financial Software. A software that helps farmers track and manage their farm budgets and expenses. (e. g. AgBooks)
Livestock Management Software. A software that helps farmers track and manage their livestock, including feed, health, and location. (e. g. Farmbrite)
Harvest Management Software. A software that helps farmers track and manage the harvest of crops, such as when to pick the crops, how much to harvest, and where to store the crops. (e. g. AcreValue)
Fertilizer Management Software. A software that helps farmers track and manage their fertilizer usage, including when and how to apply it. (e. g. NutriScout)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society of Agronomy
American Farm Bureau Federation
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Crop Insurance Services
US CropLife
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
Farmers Union
National Farmers Organization
American Seed Trade Association
Agribusiness Association of America

We also have Agriculture Production Technician, Agriculture Researcher, and Agriculture Extension Worker jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Crop Production. The process of growing crops for use in food, feed, or fiber production.
Agronomy. The science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, fiber, and land reclamation.
Soil Science. The study of the physical, chemical, and biological properties and processes of soils.
Agricultural Economics. The study of the economic aspects of agricultural production, management, and marketing of agricultural commodities, inputs, and services.
Farm Management. The planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling of agricultural production activities.
Plant Nutrition. The study of how plants obtain and use nutrients from soil and other sources.
Irrigation. The application of water to land for agricultural or landscape purposes.
Animal Husbandry. The raising and care of livestock and poultry for food or fiber production.
Plant Breeding. The selection and maintenance of desired traits in plants through artificial selection or genetic engineering.
Agroforestry. The application of forestry and agronomic principles to the design, establishment, and management of integrated land-use systems that combine trees with agricultural crops and/or animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main responsibility of an Agriculture Production Manager?

An Agriculture Production Manager is responsible for overseeing the production processes of agricultural products, such as crops and livestock, and ensuring that production goals are met efficiently and cost-effectively.

What qualifications are necessary for the role of an Agriculture Production Manager?

To become an Agriculture Production Manager, you typically need a bachelor's degree in agriculture or a related field, as well as experience in the agricultural industry. Knowledge of agricultural production processes, animal husbandry, and farm management practices is also beneficial.

What type of tasks does an Agriculture Production Manager typically perform?

An Agriculture Production Manager typically performs many tasks, including developing strategies to increase production efficiency, monitoring production activities to ensure compliance with safety regulations, overseeing daily operations, and evaluating and improving production processes.

How much does an Agriculture Production Manager typically earn?

The salary of an Agriculture Production Manager typically depends on factors such as experience, location, and the size of the organization they work for. Generally speaking, they can earn an average annual salary of between $50,000 and $80,000.

What is the job outlook for Agriculture Production Managers?

The job outlook for Agriculture Production Managers is projected to grow steadily in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 5% growth rate in jobs in this field between 2019 and 2029.