Grain, Oilseed, Pulse or Pasture Grower

A grain, oilseed, pulse or pasture grower owns or manages broadacre cropping enterprises in Australia, making strategic decisions about crop selection, paddock rotation, input costs, and farm operations to maximise yield and profitability. They coordinate seasonal planting, harvesting, and livestock grazing activities across multiple paddocks, and monitor soil health, weather, and commodity markets. The role combines agronomic knowledge with business planning, resource management, and compliance with biosecurity and environmental regulations.

Plan annual crop rotation and paddock allocation based on soil type, soil test results, crop history, and market prices for grains, oilseeds, pulses or pasture species. Budget and procure inputs including seed, fertiliser, herbicides, insecticides and fuel, comparing supplier quotes and negotiating terms. Monitor soil moisture, temperature and nutrient levels using soil testing, weather data and in-field observations to time planting and irrigation. Operate or supervise operation of seeding equipment, spraying rigs, and harvesting machinery including tractors, combine harvesters and grain carts. Identify and treat pest, disease and weed infestations in crops using integrated pest management principles and registered chemical products. Manage pasture quality and livestock grazing rotations to prevent overgrazing, soil compaction and weed encroachment. Record crop inputs, costs, yield data and paddock performance in farm management software or spreadsheets to analyse productivity and profitability. Monitor commodity prices and forward-sell grain or oilseed via commodity brokers or direct marketing arrangements.

The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You're betting your income on weather and global commodity prices you can't control. A drought or price crash can wipe out your year's profit overnight. You'll also need significant capital to buy or lease land and machinery, and debt servicing eats into returns. The work is physically demanding and seasonal stress is real.

Most growers are owner-operators on their own land rather than employees, so traditional job listings are rare. Work is place-based and not remote.

• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracycore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Inventory Trackingcore
• Negotiationcore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Supplier Communicationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Workload Self-Managementcore
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Digital Literacy
• ERP and Inventory Systems
• Freight Coordination
• Incident Reporting
• Process Improvement Identification
• Stock Counting and Stocktake
• Verbal Communication
• Written Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026