Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
Every task in this role, whether it passes the census's structural hand-over screen, which models pass it, and why. It is a screen, not a claim about what AI can do: a task can pass and still be beyond the systems of the day. The stricter and looser rules re-vote every task, and small differences between roles are noise.
Passes the screen · 1 of 12 tasks
Review orders to determine product types and quantities required to meet demand.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 11.0% of the role's time · $1.4B · passed by Claude Sonnet, GPT-6 Sol · the models disagreed
Does not pass
Purchase, for further processing or for resale, farm products, such as milk, grains, or Christmas trees.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 15.6% of the role's time · $2.0B
Maintain records of business transactions and product inventories, reporting data to companies or government agencies as necessary.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and a failure is too expensive · 13.8% of the role's time · $1.8B · passed by Claude Sonnet · the models disagreed
Arrange for transportation or storage of purchased products.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked · 12.3% of the role's time · $1.6B
Negotiate contracts with farmers for the production or purchase of farm products.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 11.5% of the role's time · $1.5B
Arrange for processing or resale of purchased products.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 11.4% of the role's time · $1.5B
Coordinate or direct activities of workers engaged in cutting, transporting, storing, or milling products and maintaining records.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 5.8% of the role's time · $763M
Sell supplies, such as seed, feed, fertilizers, or insecticides, arranging for loans or financing as necessary.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 5.7% of the role's time · $746M
Examine or test crops or products to estimate their value, determine their grade, or locate any evidence of disease or insect damage.
physical work, outside the screen · 5.1% of the role's time · $666M
Advise farm groups or growers on land preparation or livestock care techniques that will maximize the quantity and quality of production.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 3.2% of the role's time · $416M
Estimate land production possibilities, surveying property and studying factors such as crop rotation history, soil fertility, or irrigation facilities.
physical work, outside the screen · 2.5% of the role's time · $332M
Calculate applicable government grain quotas.
reason given most often: a failure is too expensive · 2.1% of the role's time · $272M · passed by Claude Sonnet · the models disagreed
Where this role works
| Industry | Workers | Wage bill | Passes the screen | All three pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 15,303 | $1.4B | $157M | $0 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | 13,103 | $1.4B | $151M | $0 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | 7257 | $559M | $61.5M | $0 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 4350 | $429M | $47.2M | $0 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | 5273 | $428M | $47.1M | $0 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 3030 | $287M | $31.5M | $0 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 3747 | $282M | $31.1M | $0 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4244 and 4248 only) | 3540 | $279M | $30.7M | $0 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 2703 | $250M | $27.5M | $0 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 2253 | $230M | $25.2M | $0 |