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Useful experience for agricultural/horticultural field representatives includes:

• merchandise sales for a retail servicing company   
• general farm work, including farm management
• work on agricultural or horticultural crop farms.

Agricultural/horticultural field representatives may do some or all of the following:

• advise clients about product usage, pasture, and crop and livestock management 
• negotiate the sale of agricultural/horticultural products and services 
• buy and sell seeds and grains on farms.

Good chances of getting a job 

Opportunities for agricultural/horticultural field representatives come up regularly because:

• the agricultural and horticultural sectors are growing
• more representatives being required to service clients
• vacancies arise due to staff resignations, retirements and promotions.

Experienced agricultural/horticultural field representatives are in high demand and are often offered jobs by rival companies looking to expand their business.

According to the Census, 840 agricultural/horticultural field representatives worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Agricultural/horticultural field representative jobs not always advertised

Agricultural/horticultural field representative vacancies are not always advertised, as most companies fill roles through internal promotions or by agriculture or horticulture graduates approaching them directly.

Most nationwide companies operate a trainee programme for new entrants or graduates.

Types of employers varied

Employers of agricultural/horticultural field representatives include:

• agricultural/horticultural supply businesses
• specialist grain and seed companies
• fertiliser companies 
• multinational agrichemical companies 

Agricultural/horticultural field representatives are usually based at a branch office, store or depot of their employer. A few agricultural field representatives are self-employed.

Primary Industry Training Organisation

0800 208020 - info@primaryito.ac.nz - www.primaryito.ac.nz

Agricultural/horticultural field representatives may progress to work in territory sales management or move into senior management roles.

Agricultural/horticultural field representatives may specialise in working within a particular sector of the agricultural industry such as sheep, beef and dairy, or with seed and grain production. 

Agricultural/horticultural field representatives may also specialise in working within a particular sector of the horticultural industry such as fruit, nut or vegetable crop production.

Agricultural/horticultural field representatives need to:

• have good communication skills, including the ability to relate to a wide range of people 
• be able to build and maintain relationships
• be hard-working, friendly, patient and able to inspire confidence
• be good negotiators
• be accurate and able to use good judgement
• have good planning, organisational and problem-solving skills
• have record-keeping skills.