Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

• AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (3%)
• AI can speed this up with extra software: 21 (70%)
• Little or no AI speed-up: 8 (27%)

• Prepare reports required by state and federal laws.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
• Determine how to allocate resources and to respond to unanticipated problems, such as insect infestation, drought, and fire.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Determine plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Devise and participate in activities to improve fish hatching and growth rates, and to prevent disease in hatcheries.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Position and regulate plant irrigation systems, and program environmental and irrigation control computers.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Maintain financial, operational, production, or employment records for farms or ranches.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Coordinate clerical, record-keeping, inventory, requisitioning, and marketing activities.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Negotiate with buyers for the sale, storage, or shipment of crops or livestock.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Analyze soil to determine types or quantities of fertilizer required for maximum crop production.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Provide information to customers on the care of trees, shrubs, flowers, plants, and lawns.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
• Analyze market conditions to determine acreage allocations.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
• Replace chemical insecticides with environmentally friendly practices, such as adding pest-repelling plants to fields.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
• Conduct inspections to determine crop maturity or condition or to detect disease or insect infestation.AI can speed this up with extra software · Seen in real AI use
• Conduct or supervise stock examinations to identify diseases or parasites.AI can speed this up with extra software
• Determine types or quantities of crops, plants, or livestock to be grown and raised, based on budgets, federal incentives, market conditions, executive directives, projected sales volumes, or soil conditions.AI can speed this up with extra software
• Determine, administer, and execute policies relating to operations administration and standards, facility maintenance, and safety.AI can speed this up with extra software
• Direct crop production operations, such as planning, tilling, planting, fertilizing, cultivating, spraying, and harvesting.AI can speed this up with extra software
• Evaluate marketing or sales alternatives for products.AI can speed this up with extra software · Seen in real AI use
• Monitor activities, such as irrigation, chemical application, harvesting, milking, breeding, and grading, to ensure adherence to safety regulations or standards.AI can speed this up with extra software
• Monitor environments to ensure maintenance of optimum animal or plant life.AI can speed this up with extra software
• Obtain financing for and purchase necessary machinery, land, supplies, or livestock.AI can speed this up with extra software
• Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Direct and monitor the transfer of mature fish to lakes, ponds, streams, or commercial tanks.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Inspect facilities and equipment for signs of disrepair, and perform necessary maintenance work.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Direct the breeding or raising of stock, such as cattle, poultry, or honeybees, using recognized breeding practices to ensure stock improvement.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Coordinate the selection and maintenance of brood stock.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Supervise the construction of farm or ranch structures, such as buildings, fences, drainage systems, wells, or roads.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Hire, supervise, and train support workers.Little or no AI speed-up