Purchasing agents and buyers of
farm products are savvy shoppers,
but instead of malls, they head to farms
and other locations to buy livestock,
oysters, cotton, fruit, grain and much more.
They keep farm products moving;
from the initial purchase, to quality evaluation,
to storage, to sale.
Purchasing agents and buyers need to
thoroughly understand the needs of the marketplace
so they can anticipate which farm goods are needed,
how many, and when.
Recognizing a good quality product when they see it is essential.
Agents and buyers negotiate for the best possible terms,
while dealing with farmers, brokers and processors
who also want to get their best price.
The majority of farm product buyers
work in one of three markets in the U.S.,
milk, grain, or Christmas trees.
They need to keep detailed records of
product inventory and transactions
to meet government regulations.
These buyers and agents keep up to date on
product innovations through research,
conducting Internet searches,
reading up on news and market projections,
or attending trade shows to see products first hand.
While this field offers a lot of autonomy,
keeping in contact with customers and suppliers
is a big part of the job.
In addition to a four-year college degree
in business or accounting,
people in this field need
a good working knowledge of farming.