Five agriculture jobs that are in-demand right now

The agriculture industry is a vital part of the Australian economy, which means there’s always a demand for skilled workers to help keep the farming sector running smoothly. So if you're thinking about a career in agriculture or farm work, or have experience in farming or machine labour that you’re ready to put into practice, then check out these five agriculture jobs that are in high demand right now across the country:

Managers or overseers are an integral part of the successful operation of any agricultural site, since they’re responsible for organising the day-to-day running of a cattle station or livestock. This can include everything from overseeing staff, to maintaining equipment and machinery, keeping track of inventory, and generally ensuring that a farm is run optimally.

Farm and station managers are specialised positions and require excellent communication and organisational skills, as well as being able to work under pressure. As such, farm managers won’t usually fall under the purview of general farm work since they often require more particular experience or qualifications, but any agriculture labourer who’s looking to move into a managerial role in the operations of a farm or agricultural project will be welcome.

Bore runners and mechanics are responsible for the maintenance and repair of irrigation and water pumps, which are vital to supplying fresh water to animals on cattle stations, sheep farms, and more. They must have a strong understanding of machinery and be able to troubleshoot problems quickly and efficiently to be able to guarantee that the herd’s water supply is not compromised, and won’t lead to any deaths or delays among the station’s animals.

Station hands are the general jack-of-all-trades in agriculture and farm work, and are responsible for a wide range of duties on a farm, from mustering livestock to maintaining fences and working on buildings. As they are often required for multiple hands-on jobs, station hands must be physically fit and able to work long hours to ensure the successful operation of the farm by tending to whatever it is that needs to be done with reliability and efficiency.

Stock workers and graziers handle tasks such as feeding, watering, and cleaning out pens and stables for herds residing on a farm or station, which can include everything from cattle, to sheep, horses, goats, and any other livestock that require tending to. As such, stock workers must have a strong understanding of animal husbandry and be able to handle animals safely, calmly, and to keep the farm animals and livestock in good condition.

Fruit and orchard pickers are responsible for harvesting fruit and vegetables from farms, and then packing it up for transport. This is typically seasonal work that is done during the harvesting season for specific fruits, and depending on the size of the farm and the amount of fruit that needs to be harvested an orchard picker may work alone or as part of a team. However, it’s important to keep in mind that orchard picking and other cropping work is s strenuous job and is often done in hot weather conditions, so it is important for those considering this type of job to be physically fit and comfortable working in these conditions.