Profession agronomist

Agricultural scientists study and provide assistance and advice on farm, forestry and fisheries management, including cultivation, fertilisation, harvesting, soil erosion and composition, disease prevention, nutrition, crop rotation and marketing. They develop techniques for increasing productivity, and study and develop plans and policies for land and fisheries management.

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Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic

Related professions agriculture

• Agricultural inspector
• Agricultural machinery installer
• Agricultural machinery mechanic
• Agricultural substitute
• Agricultural technician
• Arable farm helper, field crop or vegetable
• Arable farm helper, mixed crop
• Arable farm worker, field crop or vegetable
• Arable farmer, field crop or vegetable
• Arable farmer, mixed crop
• Arable farmer, mixed crop and animal
• First line supervisor tree or shrup crop farming workers
• Fruit, nut or tea picker
• Harvest hand
• Horticultural or nursery production manager
• Land clearer
• Motorised farm equipment operator
• Quality inspector agricultural products
• Subsistence crop farmer
• Subsistence mixed crop or livestock farmer
• Supervisor arable farm workers, field crop or vegetable
• Tree or shrub crop farm manager
• Tree or shrub crop farmer
• Tree or shrub crop helper
• Tree or shrup crop worker
• Vegetable picker
• Winegrower

Knowledge

• Environmental legislation

  The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.

• Budgetary principles

  Principles of estimating and planning of forecasts for business activity, compile regular budget and reports.

• Biology

  Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.

• Pesticides

  Types of chemical characteristics of pesticides and their adverse human and environmental effects.

• Horticulture principles

  The standard horticultural practices, including but not limited to planting, pruning, corrective pruning, and fertilisation.

• Consultation methods

  Techniques used to facilitate clear and open communication and the provision of advice between individuals, communities or the government, such as discussion groups or one-on-one interviews.

• European pesticide legislation

  The EU framework for community action which promotes the sustainable use of pesticides.

• Plant harvest methods

  The various methods, timing and equipment involved in harvesting different crops and plants.

• Irrigation systems

  The methods and systems management in irrigation.

• Plant disease control

  Types and features of diseases in plants and crops. Different kinds control methods, activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop, environmental and climate conditions and health and safety regulations. Storage and handling of products.

• Laboratory techniques

  Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.

• Pest control in plants

  Types and features of pests in plants and crops. Different kinds of pest control methods, activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop, environmental and climate conditions and health and safety regulations. Storage and handling of products.

• Livestock species

  Livestock species and relevant genetics.

• Agronomy

  The study of combining agriculture production and protection and regeneration of natural environment. Includes the principles and methods of critical selection and adequate application methods for sustainability in agriculture.

• Crop production principles

  Principles in growing crops, the natural cycle, nursing of nature, growth conditions and principles of organic and sustainable production. Quality criterias and requirements of seeds, plants and crop.

• Plant propagation

  Types of different propagation methods, materials and seeds and their criteria for health and quality.

• Environmental legislation in agriculture and forestry

  Awareness on enviromental legislation, policies, principles relevant for agriculture and forestry. Awareness of the impact on the enviroment of local agricultural precedures and practices. Means to adjust the production to new enviromental regulations and policies.

• Mathematics

  Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.

Skills

• Write work-related reports

  Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.

• Research improvement of crop yields

  Study crop production in order to discover the best way to plant, gather, and cultivate crops to increase productivity.

• Consult with business clients

  Communicate with clients of a business or business project in order to introduce new ideas, obtain feedback, and find solutions to problems.

• Execute analytical mathematical calculations

  Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.

• Gather experimental data

  Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.

• Manage nutrients

  Collect and process samples of soil and plant tissue. Supervise application of lime and fertilisers.

• Maintain laboratory equipment

  Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and inspect it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.

• Apply safety procedures in laboratory

  Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.

• Apply horticultural standards and practices

  Establishes and maintains high horticultural standards and practices; providing direction, training and motivation for the horticultural staff, interns and volunteers.

• Perform laboratory tests

  Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.

• Manage livestock

  Manage production programmes, birth plans, sales, feed purchase orders, materials, equipment, housing, location and stock management. Manage the destruction of relevant animals in humane manner and in accordance with national legislation. Follow businesses requirements and integration into qualitative research and knowledge transfer.

• Supervise hygiene procedures in agricultural settings

  Ensure that hygiene procedures in agricultural settings are followed, taking into account the regulations of specific areas of action e.q. livestock, plants, local farm products, etc.

• Use agricultural information systems and databases

  Use relevant information systems and databases to plan, manage and operate agricultural enterprise and production.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB