School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences - Theses

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Start date: 1960 × End date: 1979 × Type: Masters Research thesis × Subject: Australia × Author: Dunn, A. M ×

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    THe role of stock agents in the rural industry
    Dunn, A. M ( 1974)
    The role of many servicing groups has been looked at by research workers interested in determining the influence these organisations have on the process of change in the rural industry. However, most of the research has concentrated on Government groups such as the agricultural extension services. Little attention has been paid to private groups such as stock agents. This research project used the theory of social roles to describe and evaluate farmers' and agents' perceptions of tasks which comprise the agents' role in the rural industry. Twelve agents and 20 farmers from two rural centres were interviewed to determine their perceptions of the agents' job. One aim of the study was to describe the main tasks that comprise the service agents offer farmers. The relative importance of the various tasks, defined areas of agreement and disagreement between farmers and agents. Another aim of the study was to determine the agents' activity in promoting change and improvements in marketing wool and livestock. There were differences between the two groups as to how the agents' role was perceived. The data are presented in four sections: First, the overall role relations between agents and farmers are broadly defined and in particular the tasks concerned with the agents' overall role are emphasised. Points of consensus and disagreement between agents and farmers are discussed. Second, perceptions by both groups, of the agents' tasks in woolbroking are discussed and attention is paid to points of agreement and disagreement. In a similar way to woolbroking, the agent's tasks in stock selling and finance are discussed. In all sections of results, the perceptions of both groups towards change or improvement of the agents' role are discussed. Concluding comments and recommendations are made with regard to the future role of agents in the service they provide for farmers and suggestions are made for further research.