Overview

A crops systems specialist works to improve how a business or company manages and utilizes data of the seed or crop production process.

What responsibilities will I have?

• Coordinate various data collection initiatives including in-field data and plant performance-based metrics
• Present various data types to aid in strategic decision-making
• Work with various teams (agronomy, seed production, IT, etc.) in assessing and implementing future system solutions
• Simplify various data streams for use in visualization and decision-making
• Support and make modifications and improvements in systems currently utilized by the team
• Ensure enhancements and fixes to data systems are coordinated, consistent and not disruptive to the systems used by other parts of the business
• Formulate, implement and enforce proper data collection policies and procedures
• Help develop standard practices for data entry and management to be used across sites
• Support sites in development and continuous improvement of consistent, documented processes that support the business as needs evolve
• Train and educate the business and sites on data collection tools and equipment

What education and training is required?

A bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering, chemical engineering, agribusiness or a closely related field is required.

To pursue a career as a Crops Systems Specialist:

The following high school courses are recommended: agricultural education, biology, plant science, business and computer courses, and mathematics.

Where can I work?

Crops systems specialists work for seed and crop production businesses and companies.

Future Job Market/Outlook

The future outlook for a crops systems specialist will be good over the next five years. 

Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations

• American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
• Crop Science Society of America