Agronomist at McCain Foods

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

As part of the Farm of the Future management team, the Agronomist will be responsible for providing agronomic support in all aspects of planning, execution and monitoring of the farm’s crops.  The Agronomist is required to understand all aspects of irrigation management, seed quality, crop growth with the objective of continuously improving the yield and quality of the crops in the context of a Regenerative Agricultural production system.  The Agronomist will be responsible for managing and executing on-farms trials from trial design, implementation, data collection, recording, analysis and reporting.  In addition to monitoring the development, yield and quality of the crop through extensive sampling in the field the agronomist will be responsible for data recording in Farm Management System and their analysis and interpretation. 

Agronomist will work closely with the Farm Foreman to make sure the crop is optimally managed and that the trials are smoothly implemented within the commercial farm operations.  Agronomist will be responsible to ensure the deployment of decision support systems (weather, irrigation scheduling, soil fertility, disease forecast etc.) and their integration in the daily farm activities. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Crop performance (yield and quality)
• On-farm trial management
• Data & sample collection, recording and reporting
• Operate decision support systems and Farm Management Software
• Crop irrigation.

REQUIREMENTS:

• BSc Agriculture (Honours) – Agronomy/Crop Science/Plant Production. Preference will be given to Masters in Agricultural Sciences
• Minimum 4-5 years experience in an agricultural science field or agronomy related role.
• Preferably registered as a Professional Natural Scientist with SACNASP (Natural Scientific Professions Act 27 of 2003)
• AVCASA training preferred
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and willing to travel extensively
• Knowledge and experience in executing on-farm trials
• Knowledge & experience in (irrigated) crop production. Potato growing experience preferred.
• Data collection, data processing and reporting
• Computer literate (MS Office and statistical analysis software)
• Experience in operation irrigation systems preferred
• Farm Machinery Operation Skills preferred
• Self-driven, and able to execute jobs independent
• Basic knowledge of GPS systems and electronic equipment controls