Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer
SOC 11-9013.00 · ESCO 1311 · OSCA 151332
Role snapshot
Overview
Runs a mixed farming operation, rotating crops and managing livestock across large areas of land, balancing seasonal planting, animal husbandry, and machinery maintenance year-round. This involves strategic decision-making regarding crop selection, soil health, animal welfare, market trends, and financial management to ensure sustainable and profitable production.
Contributes directly to global food security by producing essential crops and livestock, supporting rural economies, and managing land sustainably for future generations.
On the job
- Plan crop rotations, planting schedules, and harvest strategies based on market demand and environmental conditions.
- Monitor livestock health, manage breeding programs, and ensure proper nutrition and welfare.
- Operate and maintain heavy agricultural machinery, including tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.
- Analyze soil samples, apply fertilizers and pesticides responsibly, and implement soil conservation practices.
- Manage farm finances, including budgeting, sales, purchasing, and compliance with agricultural regulations.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
StableDemand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Education & training
While practical experience, often gained through family farming or apprenticeships, is paramount, formal education such as a certificate, diploma, or bachelor's degree in agricultural science, farm management, or agronomy can provide a strong foundation.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
moderate
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
AI can significantly assist with crop rotation planning, planting schedules, livestock monitoring, soil analysis, and financial management, making these data-intensive tasks more exposed.
End-to-end automation
low
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
The complexity of managing a diverse mixed farming operation, including physical machinery operation, livestock handling, and adapting to dynamic environmental factors, prevents full end-to-end automation.
Adoption pressure
high
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
There is high adoption pressure for precision agriculture technologies that use AI for efficiency and yield optimization across large land areas and diverse operations.
Human dependence
strong
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Success depends on human judgment for strategic decision-making, operating complex machinery, adapting to weather and market changes, and ensuring animal welfare.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
strong
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
The role can readily adapt by integrating advanced AI and digital tools into farm management, shifting the farmer's focus to strategic oversight and high-level problem-solving.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Optimize crop rotation and planting schedules based on market and soil data
- Monitor livestock health and behavior through sensor data for early intervention
- Analyze soil samples to recommend precise fertilizer and pesticide applications
- Predict harvest yields and ideal harvest timings
- Manage farm finances and identify areas for cost savings or investment
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Operating and maintaining heavy agricultural machinery like tractors and harvesters
- Making strategic decisions about crop selection and market engagement
- Providing direct care and managing breeding programs for livestock
- Troubleshooting complex mechanical or biological problems in the field
- Negotiating contracts with suppliers and buyers
- Adapting farming practices to unforeseen weather patterns and ecological changes
How the role may evolve
Smarter planning, more strategic farming.
Farmers will transition from manual planning and reactive monitoring to using AI-driven insights for proactive decision-making, elevating their role to strategic farm management and advanced machinery operation.
Strengthen your future fit
- Proficiency in advanced farm management software and AI tools
- Data interpretation and analytical thinking
- Strategic business planning and risk management
- Expertise in complex agricultural machinery operation and maintenance
- Ecological knowledge for sustainable practices
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- High
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer
Agriculture & Food
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
enterprising · ERC
Individuals who thrive on hands-on work, managing complex operations, and making independent decisions in an outdoor environment, often with a strong entrepreneurial drive, will find this role rewarding.
Personality characteristics
Organized Planner
Systematically plans crop cycles, livestock management, and financial operations to ensure efficiency and profitability.
Resilient
Handles unpredictable weather, market fluctuations, and operational challenges with a steady demeanor, maintaining focus through adversity.
Self-Reliant
Comfortable making significant choices and taking responsibility for the farm's success, often working independently and leading the operation.
Adaptable Problem-Solver
Continuously learns and adjusts strategies to address new challenges, optimize farm output, and embrace innovative agricultural practices.
Practical
Enjoys hands-on work and applying scientific knowledge to tangible outcomes in the field, preferring concrete results over abstract theories.
Best for
- Individuals who are passionate about agriculture, self-motivated, and enjoy working independently outdoors.
- Those who are resilient, adaptable, and skilled in both practical hands-on tasks and strategic planning.
- People seeking a career where their efforts directly contribute to food production and sustainable land management.
Watch out for
- Demanding physical work and long, irregular hours, especially during peak seasons.
- High level of financial risk and exposure to unpredictable environmental factors.
- Can be a solitary role, requiring strong self-motivation and independent work ethic.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer roles
What does a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer do?
A Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer runs a mixed farming operation, rotating crops and managing livestock across large areas of land, balancing seasonal planting, animal husbandry, and machinery maintenance year-round. This involves strategic decision-making regarding crop selection, soil health, animal welfare, market trends, and financial management to ensure sustainable and profitable production. Contributes directly to global food security by producing essential crops and livestock, supporting rural economies, and managing land sustainably for future generations.
How much does a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer earn?
A Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer earns a median of $75,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $40,000 to $150,000.
What qualifications do you need to become a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer?
To become a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer, while practical experience, often gained through family farming or apprenticeships, is paramount, formal education such as a certificate, diploma, or bachelor's degree in agricultural science, farm management, or agronomy can provide a strong foundation.
What personality suits a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer?
Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 78/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 72/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Organized Planner, Resilient, Self-Reliant and Adaptable Problem-Solver. Systematically plans crop cycles, livestock management, and financial operations to ensure efficiency and profitability. On interests, Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer maps to an ERC Holland Code profile — individuals who thrive on hands-on work, managing complex operations, and making independent decisions in an outdoor environment, often with a strong entrepreneurial drive, will find this role rewarding.
Who does a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer role suit?
A Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. High degree of autonomy and entrepreneurial challenge for those who enjoy running their own operation. Direct connection to the land and tangible results from hard work, appealing to realistic and practical individuals. Requires strong organizational and planning skills, aligning well with conscientious individuals.
What are the downsides of being a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer?
Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. Demanding physical work and long, irregular hours, especially during peak seasons. High level of financial risk and exposure to unpredictable environmental factors. Can be a solitary role, requiring strong self-motivation and independent work ethic.
What is the work environment like for a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer?
Work as a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer is mostly outdoors-based with onsite arrangements common, largely self-directed, with little imposed structure and medium exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 75% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer?
Core skills for a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer include Crop management, Animal husbandry, Machinery operation & maintenance, Agronomy, Financial management and Weather analysis.
How do you become a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer?
Common entry routes into Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer roles include Farm Hand, Agricultural Technician and Farm Apprentice.
What career progression is there for a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer?
From a Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer role, common next steps include Farm Manager (large corporate farm); lateral moves include Agricultural Consultant and Specialized Crop Producer.
What is the job outlook for Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer roles?
The outlook for Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer roles is currently rated stable. Demand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Will AI replace Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer roles at 45 out of 100, which is moderate. Much of the planning and monitoring can be data-driven by AI, freeing farmers to focus on strategic operations, complex machinery, and adapting to unpredictable conditions. AI is most likely to take on optimize crop rotation and planting schedules based on market and soil data, monitor livestock health and behavior through sensor data for early intervention and analyze soil samples to recommend precise fertilizer and pesticide applications. Operating and maintaining heavy agricultural machinery like tractors and harvesters, making strategic decisions about crop selection and market engagement and providing direct care and managing breeding programs for livestock stay with people. Smarter planning, more strategic farming. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.