Career Profile: Agronomist

Agronomists play an important role in food production. They look at all aspects of crop nutrition, irrigation, positioning, and rotation to help make sure the harvest is productive, alongside land conservation. An essential part of the role is consideration of crop production and the long-term environmental health of the land.

To do this role, you’ll need to apply a high level of scientific knowledge to solve sometimes complex issues relating to crop growth. You’d achieve this in an economically efficient way to ensure profitability while protecting the environment. Other important actions include monitoring, predicting, and recording pests that can affect the health of the crops.

A high level of competency in maths and IT is desired to ensure the best use of specialist software packages to record data and model outcomes.

This role is predominantly an outdoor job requiring frequent farm visits to walk fields and liaise with growers. As an agronomist, you’d gain knowledge and keep up to date through various sources. For example, you’d do much research during winter, including attending industry seminars, conferences, and field trials towards the end of the season. You must also be a good communicator to advise farmers and growers effectively.

Fertiliser and pesticide use is an area of ever-changing legislation and new product development, so you’d need to keep up with the evolving guidance to ensure compliance on the sites you advise. You’d also need the BASIS qualification to advise on pesticides and the Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme (FACTS) to advise on nutrition.

However, not all advice an agronomist gives will be about chemical use. You could also advise on biological control methods, such as the promotion or introduction of beneficial insects. A good agronomist can recognise and explain that, with all forms of intervention, a balance must be struck between the value of the crop and its cost.

Working hours will vary depending on the season and the organisation you work for. Spring is typically very demanding as it’s the peak season for crop growth and may require weekend work.

As an agronomist, you could have the opportunity to work in research, as part of a farming company, or with a distribution company. You may even want to establish your own business as an independent agronomist. This flexibility means there is a wide range of opportunities for people to become an agronomist.