What does a livestock feed sales representative do?

What is a Livestock Feed Sales Representative?

A livestock feed sales representative sells animal feed products to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses. Their job is to help customers choose the right feed for animals like cows, pigs, chickens, and sheep. They often visit farms, talk to clients about their animals' needs, and recommend feed products that will keep the animals healthy and growing well.

These sales reps usually work for feed companies or agricultural supply businesses. They need to understand animal nutrition and farming practices so they can answer questions and offer good advice. Their goal is to build strong relationships with customers, provide support, and help farms get the best results from the feed they use.

What does a Livestock Feed Sales Representative do?

Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of a livestock feed sales representative focus on helping agricultural clients choose the right feed products while supporting their business needs. Some key responsibilities include:

• Product Sales: Selling livestock feed and related products to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural operations, and meeting sales targets set by their company.
• Client Support and Relationship Building: Visiting farms or speaking with clients to understand their livestock needs, offering product recommendations, and answering questions about feed options, usage, and results.
• Technical Knowledge Sharing: Explaining the nutritional value and benefits of different feed types, and staying informed about animal health and nutrition to provide accurate advice.
• Order Management and Follow-Up: Taking and processing orders, ensuring timely delivery, and checking in with clients to make sure they are satisfied with the products and services.
• Market Awareness: Keeping up with trends in agriculture, animal nutrition, and feed innovations, and reporting customer feedback and competitor activity to the company.
• Problem Solving: Assisting clients with any concerns related to feed quality, performance, or delivery, and working with internal teams to resolve issues quickly.

Types of Livestock Feed Sales Representatives
There are several types of livestock feed sales representatives, each focusing on different customer needs, animals, or business environments. Some of the most common types include:

• Dairy Feed Sales Representative: Specializes in selling feed designed for dairy cows, with a strong understanding of milk production, herd nutrition, and the needs of dairy farms.
• Beef Cattle Feed Sales Representative: Focuses on feed solutions for beef producers, offering products that support weight gain, health, and efficient growth for market-ready cattle.
• Poultry Feed Sales Representative: Works with poultry farmers who raise chickens, turkeys, or other birds, recommending feeds that promote egg production, meat quality, and flock health.
• Swine Feed Sales Representative: Provides feed options tailored to pigs, helping hog farmers manage nutrition through all growth stages—from piglets to market hogs.
• Territory or Regional Sales Representative: Covers a specific geographic area and may sell feed for multiple types of livestock, often managing relationships with a range of farm types and sizes.
• Technical Sales Representative: Combines sales duties with deep product and nutrition knowledge, often working closely with veterinarians or nutritionists to offer advanced support and custom feed programs.

What is the workplace of a Livestock Feed Sales Representative like?

The workplace of a livestock feed sales representative is a mix of office work and time spent out in the field. While some tasks—like answering emails, placing orders, and updating customer records—are done from a computer, a big part of the job happens on farms, ranches, and feed stores. These reps often travel by car to visit clients, check on livestock conditions, and offer in-person advice.

When visiting farms, they may walk through barns, pastures, or feedlots to see how the animals are doing and make sure the feed is working well. They might bring product samples, review feeding plans, and talk directly with farmers about their challenges and goals. Because animals have different needs at different stages, feed reps stay up to date on nutrition and help clients adjust their feeding programs as needed.

The job can be fast-paced and physically active, especially during busy seasons like calving or harvest. It also requires good people skills, as building trust and long-term relationships is key. While it can sometimes involve long hours or driving in rural areas, many sales reps enjoy the variety, outdoor visits, and the satisfaction of helping clients succeed.