Agriculture Market Reporter

DEFINITION

This is technical and public contact work in reporting livestock and grain market activity for the Department of Agriculture.

An employee in this class provides the agriculture industry, news media and general public with accurate and unbiased market reports depicting the current supply, demand, prices and trends which affect trade in livestock and grain markets. Work involves preparing daily records of market activity utilizing official USDA standards to categorize, for reporting purposes, livestock sold based on frame size, muscling and weight. Initial training and supervision is provided by an experienced Agriculture Market Reporter. Upon successful completion of training, the employee independently reports on assigned livestock and grain markets under the general supervision of the program administrator or other designated superior.

Any one position may not involve all of the specified duties or knowledges, skills and abilities, nor are the listed examples exhaustive.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Compiles accurate and unbiased livestock and grain market information in accordance with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) guidelines.

Disseminates market reports to area producers, agribusinesses, news media and general public.

Prepares market summary tapes for broadcast over radio and television; submits market information for nationwide distribution via the USDA wire service.

Maintains records of daily prices, receipts and movement of livestock and grain at assigned markets.

Prepares and submits detailed market activity reports via laptop computer for publication in the Department's daily and weekly market summaries.

Attends and participates in USDA/MDA correlation exercises to ensure consistency in livestock grading and reporting.

Maintains state vehicle, laptop computer and other assigned equipment.

Plans and schedules work activities to achieve established goals.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Working knowledge of federal and state policies, rules and regulations relating to livestock and grain market reporting.

Working knowledge of livestock and grain marketing practices and principles.

Working knowledge of livestock and grain market operations.

Working knowledge of the methods and techniques of disseminating information to the general public.

Ability to understand and apply USDA grading standards for different species of livestock.

Ability to operate a laptop computer, code-a-phone and other assigned equipment.

Ability to communicate effectively and to prepare complete and concise reports.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, livestock and grain producers, agribusinesses and the general public.

Ability to establish and complete daily work schedules.

Ability to travel in the performance of assigned duties.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

(The following entrance requirements are used to admit or reject applicants for merit system examinations, or may be used to evaluate applicants for employment in positions not requiring selection from merit system registers. When applicable, equivalent substitution will be allowed for deficiencies in experience or education.)

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in agriculture, marketing, business or public administration or closely related areas.

OR

Four years of experience in the livestock or grain industry which affords a knowledge of agricultural production and marketing techniques.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

Ability to obtain USDA certification to grade livestock within established timeframes.

(Eff. 11/1/92)