Will “Physical Scientist” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
Unknown Chance of Automation
Sadly, the research paper did not provide any information about this occupation. Maybe have a look at our directory?
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
- Nutrient Management Specialist
- Independent Crop Consultant
- Crop Specialist
- Precision Farming Specialist
- Precision Crop Manager
- Precision Agriculture Technician
- Physical Scientist
- Migration Specialist
- GPS Field Data Collector (Global Positioning System Field Data Collector)
- Extension Precision Agriculture Specialist
Tasks for “Physical Scientist”
- Contact equipment manufacturers for technical assistance, as needed.
- Analyze geospatial data to determine agricultural implications of factors such as soil quality, terrain, field productivity, fertilizers, or weather conditions.
- Create, layer, and analyze maps showing precision agricultural data, such as crop yields, soil characteristics, input applications, terrain, drainage patterns, or field management history.
- Install, calibrate, or maintain sensors, mechanical controls, GPS-based vehicle guidance systems, or computer settings.
- Identify areas in need of pesticide treatment by analyzing geospatial data to determine insect movement and damage patterns.
- Draw or read maps, such as soil, contour, or plat maps.
- Program farm equipment, such as variable-rate planting equipment or pesticide sprayers, based on input from crop scouting and analysis of field condition variability.
- Recommend best crop varieties or seeding rates for specific field areas, based on analysis of geospatial data.
- Prepare reports in graphical or tabular form, summarizing field productivity or profitability.
- Divide agricultural fields into georeferenced zones, based on soil characteristics and production potentials.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).
- Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information.
- Advise farmers on upgrading Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to take advantage of newly installed advanced satellite technology.
- Participate in efforts to advance precision agriculture technology, such as developing advanced weed identification or automated spot spraying systems.
- Apply precision agriculture information to specifically reduce the negative environmental impacts of farming practices.
- 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.
Related Technology & Tools
- Autosteering systems
- Tractor mounted soil probes
- Variable rate applicators
- Desktop computers
- Automatic land leveling systems
- Fertilizer spreading equipment
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Automatic boom control systems
- Soil samplers
- Yield monitor systems
- Personal computers
- Sprayer application equipment
- Moisture monitors
- Soil electrical conductivity measurement devices
- Lightbar guidance systems
- Seed drills
- Air clutches
- Laptop computers
- Field personal computers PC
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Trimble AgGPS MultiPlane
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- GeoAgro GIS
- Microsoft Word
- AGCO GTA Software Suite
- John Deere Apex Farm Management
- Trimble AgGPS EZ-Map
- MapShots EASi Suite
- Microsoft Excel
- ESRI ArcView
- Farm Works Site Pro
- ESRI ArcPad
- Ag Leader Technology SMS Advanced
- Novariant AutoFarm AF Viewer
- Microsoft Access
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- SST Development Group SSToolbox