Will “Physical Scientist” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
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Job Description
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.
Job Details
- The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 19-4099.02
☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Precision Agriculture Technicians”.
Also Known As…
- Precision Agriculture Technicians
- Soil Fertility Specialist
- Research Agricultural Engineer
- Regional Agronomist
- Precision Farming Coordinator
- Precision Agronomist
- Precision Agriculture Specialist
- Physical Scientist
- Nutrient Management Specialist
- Independent Crop Consultant
- Crop Specialist
- Precision Farming Specialist
- Precision Crop Manager
- Precision Agriculture Technician
- Migration Specialist
- GPS Field Data Collector (Global Positioning System Field Data Collector)
- Extension Precision Agriculture Specialist
Tasks for “Physical Scientist”
- Draw or read maps, such as soil, contour, or plat maps.
- Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).
- Compare crop yield maps with maps of soil test data, chemical application patterns, or other information to develop site-specific crop management plans.
- Identify spatial coordinates, using remote sensing and Global Positioning System (GPS) data.
- Apply precision agriculture information to specifically reduce the negative environmental impacts of farming practices.
- Contact equipment manufacturers for technical assistance, as needed.
- Program farm equipment, such as variable-rate planting equipment or pesticide sprayers, based on input from crop scouting and analysis of field condition variability.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Participate in efforts to advance precision agriculture technology, such as developing advanced weed identification or automated spot spraying systems.
- Advise farmers on upgrading Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to take advantage of newly installed advanced satellite technology.
- Prepare reports in graphical or tabular form, summarizing field productivity or profitability.
- 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.
- Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information.
- Identify areas in need of pesticide treatment by analyzing geospatial data to determine insect movement and damage patterns.
- Create, layer, and analyze maps showing precision agricultural data, such as crop yields, soil characteristics, input applications, terrain, drainage patterns, or field management history.
- Divide agricultural fields into georeferenced zones, based on soil characteristics and production potentials.
- Recommend best crop varieties or seeding rates for specific field areas, based on analysis of geospatial data.
- Analyze remote sensing imagery to identify relationships between soil quality, crop canopy densities, light reflectance, and weather history.
- Analyze data from harvester monitors to develop yield maps.
Related Technology & Tools
- Autosteering systems
- Personal computers
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Fertilizer spreading equipment
- Field personal computers PC
- Seed drills
- Lightbar guidance systems
- Soil samplers
- Variable rate applicators
- Sprayer application equipment
- Laptop computers
- Soil electrical conductivity measurement devices
- Tractor mounted soil probes
- Automatic boom control systems
- Desktop computers
- Moisture monitors
- Air clutches
- Automatic land leveling systems
- Yield monitor systems
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Microsoft Excel
- SST Development Group SSToolbox
- Novariant AutoFarm AF Viewer
- MapShots EASi Suite
- Ag Leader Technology SMS Advanced
- ESRI ArcPad
- Trimble AgGPS MultiPlane
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Farm Works Site Pro
- Trimble AgGPS EZ-Map
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Access
- Web browser software
- AGCO GTA Software Suite
- GeoAgro GIS
- John Deere Apex Farm Management
- ESRI ArcView