Home  -  Occupations  -  Professionals

Crop Production Specialist
Crop Production Specialist #1189

Agriscience and Natural Resources

 Challenge No. 1

There are McRel or MCTM standards for this career.


Explore over 140 occupations and more than 220 careers!

Career Profile:
Crop Production Specialist #1189

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.

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.

Watch the Video


Click PLAY button to watch video.

Ask the Professional

Browse over 55 careers with "Ask the Professional" audio!

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.

Contact Us: lashell@iptv.org
Copyright 2009, Iowa Public Television
