According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data. | 89% |
| Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research. | 87% |
| Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques. | 84% |
| Direct and monitor the transfer of mature fish to lakes, ponds, streams, or commercial tanks. | 82% |
| Determine how to allocate resources and to respond to unanticipated problems, such as insect infestation, drought, and fire. | 81% |
| Determine plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules. | 81% |
| Devise and participate in activities to improve fish hatching and growth rates, and to prevent disease in hatcheries. | 80% |
| Position and regulate plant irrigation systems, and program environmental and irrigation control computers. | 79% |
| Prepare reports required by state and federal laws. | 79% |
| Inspect facilities and equipment for signs of disrepair, and perform necessary maintenance work. | 77% |
| Maintain financial, operational, production, or employment records for farms or ranches. | 77% |
| Coordinate clerical, record-keeping, inventory, requisitioning, and marketing activities. | 76% |
| Direct the breeding or raising of stock, such as cattle, poultry, or honeybees, using recognized breeding practices to ensure stock improvement. | 76% |
| Negotiate with buyers for the sale, storage, or shipment of crops or livestock. | 75% |
| Coordinate the selection and maintenance of brood stock. | 75% |
| Analyze soil to determine types or quantities of fertilizer required for maximum crop production. | 74% |
| Provide information to customers on the care of trees, shrubs, flowers, plants, and lawns. | 73% |
| Analyze market conditions to determine acreage allocations. | 68% |
| Replace chemical insecticides with environmentally friendly practices, such as adding pest-repelling plants to fields. | 62% |
| Supervise the construction of farm or ranch structures, such as buildings, fences, drainage systems, wells, or roads. | 61% |
