This is an ideal career for logical thinkers. There is a wide range of specialisation available for an agricultural scientist ranging from a general advisory role focusing on the production and distribution of farm products to land management best practice, farm economics and water utilization to highly specific and technical functions.
Career Advice - Agricultural Scientist Career
The different branches of agricultural science include;
- Agronomy – soil and crop management
- Animals – breeding, embryo manipulation and animal production
- Biotechnology – genetic engineering
- Crop Psychologist - chemical effect on plant growth
- Horticulturalist – plants, fruits, vegetables, turf
- Entomology – insects
- Microbiology –disease organisms
- Soil – conservation and management
The client base is also diverse with government departments, farmers, agricultural businesses and industry associations all asking for specific advice.
What you do everyday
You provide professional advice to a range of farmers, companies or organisations in order to help them overcome issues impacting on their farm’s profitability or sustainability. The term farm can be broad acre crop, dry land pasture suited to cattle and sheep, high rainfall pasture suited to dairy, intensive fruit and vegetables or horticulture. This may be by phone or personal visit to the farm. You then write reports detailing outcomes of investigative projects and collaborate with a range of different stakeholders for example the Catchment Management Authority and the Department of Sustainability and Environment to ensure project outcomes are achieved.
Personality that best fit this occupation
You need to be able to analyse and solve problems, a logical thinker, able to make accurate observations, have good oral and written communication skills, be well organised, able to work in a team as well as having supervisory skills. You need to be able to pass the ‘good bloke test’ even if you’re female. It’s an Australian thing, but says a lot about the person you are. Often your acceptance by others will correlate strongly to this characteristic.
Best things about this career
Working with like-minded people who care about people and the environment. Helping to keep Australian agriculture clean and green and making a difference in your own small, but significant way.
Worst things about this career
Dealing with people badly affected by crisis, whether it is a fire, flood, famine, drought or disease outbreak is very difficult. At least you can help.
About the Author
Nick Dudley - Department of Primary Industries
DPI science is well in the international spot light with its collaborative research partnerships placing a high priority on world class science. It conducts innovative, practical research to service the needs of primary industries, natural resource industries and the environment in Victoria.
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