Precision Agriculture Technicians
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics > Science and MathematicsProjected Growth: Faster than average
Projected Job Openings
Considerable Preparation Needed
Job Description
Your job is to Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.
Common job titles of Precision Agriculture Technicians include:
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Experience and Education
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for this occupation. For example, a person in this occupation must complete four years of college and work for several years in industry to be considered qualified.
59.26% said they needed a Bachelor's Degree.
11.11% said they needed a Master's Degree.
Tasks
Draw or read maps, such as soil, contour, or plat maps.
Install, calibrate, or maintain sensors, mechanical controls, GPS-based vehicle guidance systems, or computer settings.
Analyze geospatial data to determine agricultural implications of factors such as soil quality, terrain, field productivity, fertilizers, or weather conditions.
Apply precision agriculture information to specifically reduce the negative environmental impacts of farming practices.
Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information.
Analyze remote sensing imagery to identify relationships between soil quality, crop canopy densities, light reflectance, and weather history.
Create, layer, and analyze maps showing precision agricultural data, such as crop yields, soil characteristics, input applications, terrain, drainage patterns, or field management history.
Identify areas in need of pesticide treatment by analyzing geospatial data to determine insect movement and damage patterns.
Identify spatial coordinates, using remote sensing and Global Positioning System (GPS) data.
Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).
Program farm equipment, such as variable-rate planting equipment or pesticide sprayers, based on input from crop scouting and analysis of field condition variability.
Prepare reports in graphical or tabular form, summarizing field productivity or profitability.
Analyze data from harvester monitors to develop yield maps.
Demonstrate the applications of geospatial technology, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), automatic tractor guidance systems, variable rate chemical input applicators, surveying equipment, or computer mapping software.
Use geospatial technology to develop soil sampling grids or identify sampling sites for testing characteristics such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium content, pH, or micronutrients.
Provide advice on the development or application of better boom-spray technology to limit the overapplication of chemicals and to reduce the migration of chemicals beyond the fields being treated.
Participate in efforts to advance precision agriculture technology, such as developing advanced weed identification or automated spot spraying systems.
Contact equipment manufacturers for technical assistance, as needed.
Recommend best crop varieties or seeding rates for specific field areas, based on analysis of geospatial data.
Divide agricultural fields into georeferenced zones, based on soil characteristics and production potentials.
Compare crop yield maps with maps of soil test data, chemical application patterns, or other information to develop site-specific crop management plans.
Advise farmers on upgrading Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to take advantage of newly installed advanced satellite technology.
Tools
Yield monitor systems
Variable rate applicators
Tractor mounted soil probes
Sprayer application equipment
Soil samplers
Soil electrical conductivity measurement devices
Seed drills
All ToolsPersonal computers
Moisture monitors
Lightbar guidance systems
Laptop computers
Global positioning system GPS receivers
Field personal computers PC
Fertilizer spreading equipment
Desktop computers
Autosteering systems
Automatic land leveling systems
Automatic boom control systems
Air clutches
Technologies
ESRI ArcGIS software
Ag Leader Technology SMS Advanced
AGCO GTA Software Suite
ESRI ArcPad
ESRI ArcView
Farm Works Site Pro
GeoAgro GIS
All TechnologiesJohn Deere Apex Farm Management
MapShots EASi Suite
Novariant AutoFarm AF Viewer
SST Development Group SSToolbox
Trimble AgGPS EZ-Map
Trimble AgGPS MultiPlane
Skills
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Operation Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Abilities
Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Comprehension
Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Comprehension
Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Deductive Reasoning
Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Inductive Reasoning
Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Expression