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Crop Production Specialist #1189 |
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Pathway:
Agriscience and Natural Resources |
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Standards:
There are McRel or MCTM standards for this career. |
Video/Audio: You will need the RealPlayer plug-in to watch the video or listen to the audio.  |
Search: Explore over 140 occupations and more than 220 careers! |
This agronomist spends a lot of time using math to figure acreage and chemical mixes; biology to understand the relationship between soil, chemicals and plants; and chemistry to decide what products farmers should apply to their fields. Biotechnology plays a role in this agronomist's work. He sells seeds that are genetically modified, uses herbicides specifically designed for genetically modified crops and uses pest management practices utilizing genetically modified crops to control insects. He says biotechnology makes his job easier in some respects and difficult in other areas. Advances in biotechnology give his customers more options for weed and insect control. But when the public doesn't understand the benefits of biotechnology, farmers have a difficult time selling their products. During the busy spring season, he works from dawn to dusk. But, he says he wouldn't have it any other way.
Career Profile:
This agronomist grew up on an Iowa farm and always thought he would be a farmer. That was, until he spent one summer in high school scouting crops. The experience sparked an interest in agronomy and the science of growing crops. While in college, he completed several internships. One of these led to a full-time job after graduation.
Crop Production Specialist #1189
Watch the Video |
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Ask the Professional
This career contains enhanced audio! Listen to the responses to career-related inquiries. Click on a specific question or listen to all of the responses. You can also hear or read all of the questions and answers.|
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| What is an agronomist? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| Do you spend a lot of time going through the fields and analyzing them? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| What kind of computer skills do you need? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| How does GPS (global positioning system) tell you about soil types? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| What is the salary range for this career? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| Is it always better to go to a community college first? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| What classes would you recommend taking? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| Did you ever take ag in high school? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| How many hours do you work per week? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| Does your position allow for time off? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| How many different kinds of chemicals do you work with? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| What other skills do you need besides computers and math? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| What benefits do you have in this job? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| How many farmers do you work with? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| What do you like best about your job? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| What kind for safety precautions do you have to use around the chemicals? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| What is the job outlook? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| What is the biggest problem you’ve had since you’ve been in this business? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| Have any of the farmers fired you because you were so young? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| Do you ever work with strictly organic fertilizers? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| How do you transfer the information on your computer to the farm equipment? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| What is the worst part of your job? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| Would you recommend a two-year degree or a four-year degree? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| Who is held responsible if the chemicals don’t work the first time? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| What are some related occupations? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| Do the farmers need to take special courses for anything? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| Do you have any continuing education courses you need to take? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| What are the types of equipment you work with at the co-op? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| Do you do the actual application of chemicals? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| How often do you have meetings? | AUDIO | TEXT |
| Do you live on a farm? | AUDIO | TEXT |
Return to the Agronomist page.
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