Agriculture Careers

1 Lincoln University What is Agriculture?

Agricultural and horticultural land make up over 40%1 of ’s land: this places land- based commercial operations at the heart of the New Zealand economy. New Zealand’s rural places are populated with farms and businesses which supply products, services and knowledge to New Zealand and the world. To do this, the rural sector is supported by public and private sector enterprises, all of which need trained employees to operate. This makes agriculture the sector to realise any number of careers. Lincoln University students graduate ready for careers along the agricultural value chain - from farming to marketing, education to ecology, or science to finance. Students of agriculture at Lincoln University can build on their interest of farming systems and the environment by tailoring their study of agriculture to commerce, science or agribusiness. The focus the degrees have on both commerce and technology is relevant to New Zealand’s agricultural practices, the real-world application of which keeps the primary production sector both globally competitive and sustainable.

1 Ministry for the Environment (2013), Environment Aotearoa 2015, retrieved from http://www.mfe.govt.nz/sites/default/ files/media/Environmental%20reporting/environment- aotearoa.pdf

2 Lincoln University Agriculture in New Zealand and Skills and knowledge developed Skills and knowledge the world by studying agriculture valued in agriculture roles: Both local and global demand for The types of skills gained from and production of food is expected studying agriculture are highly valued Effective communication skills to grow2. To provide for the needs of in the industry. Students develop Pastoral management skills increasing populations, particularly in agricultural knowledge around an area developing countries, agricultural and of focus, such as, agricultural science, Knowledge of Resource horticultural leaders with technical agricultural commerce or agribusiness. Management Act and other expertise are sought-after on the The degrees are underpinned by a legislation affecting farming world stage. With appropriate levels of broad foundation of subjects giving training and industry experience, many Interpersonal skills and students a range of knowledge areas the ability to interact graduates direct their career towards to draw from in their careers. With consultancy, management, production, professionally with a farms now increasingly operating range of people research or strategic operations- all of as businesses, many students are which can start local, or take graduates incorporating a commercial aspect into Knowledge of data collection global. their degrees. and storage systems

Agricultural and horticultural systems The applied nature of the coursework Knowledge of water are becoming increasingly large scale, at Lincoln University gives graduates cycles, irrigation and and sophisticated. Technology and a range of practical skills that are reticulation systems professionalism are transforming the transferable directly to the workplace. Skilled in ‘big picture’ thinking industries and driving change at a Lincoln University staff work directly 3 rapid pace . From farming software with industry employers to provide IT skills systems to autonomous vehicles, students work experience with Knowledge of more and more farming operations will potential employers during the environmental systems see technology as a way to improve course of their study. Employers in efficiency and sustainability. The the sector appreciate that Lincoln Knowledge of integrated uptake of technology requires both graduates come equipped with sector- farming systems scientific data as the basis for sound specific skills and knowledge, as and operations decision-making, and professionals well as experience in agriculture and Mathematical and analytic who can manage and facilitate the on- agribusiness practices. skills for experimentation farm application of technology based practices. Employers seek well-rounded, engaged Presenting research findings graduates with a strong work ethic. Graduate recruitment has not kept As in any sector, employers typically pace with natural attrition rates (due to value those who have a professional retirement), so the sector is expected attitude to their work. This includes to need many newly-trained employees good communication (including the with innovative ideas and a passion for ability to communicate to groups, as the land. Lincoln University graduates well as effective interpersonal and are sought after for their ability to see written communication), respect, the ‘big picture’- from the specifics of self-motivation, initiative, time production, to global trends. Presently management and flexibility. The there is demand for highly-skilled roles importance of these basic skills cannot such as agricultural scientists, and for be underestimated, even in voluntary supervisory and management roles. roles, as future job opportunities often Post-graduate study can further enable arise from a good reputation and a specialisation in a field of interest, varied network of contacts. and give graduates a head-start in the employment market. 2 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, retrieved from http://www.fao.org 3 Farming Industry News, retrieved from http://farmindustrynews.com/farm-equipment/20- technologies-changing-agriculture

3 Lincoln University Where can agriculture graduates find Agriculture job titles work? Account Manager - Livestock Agent/Representative Potential places of employment for Agribusiness Sales agriculture graduates extend far and Livestock Identification and wide. Careers are available in cropping, Advisor- Plant Exports Business Support Specialist horticulture, sheep and beef, wool, meat and Agri Manager Marketing and Sales dairy sectors. Assistant/Manager Agribusiness Consultant • Consultancy services (e.g., Franklin Media Spokesperson Agricultural Consultant Group, Nimmo-Bell Ltd., The Agribusiness Nutrient Specialist Group, FarmRight, Compass Agribusiness, Agricultural Contractor DairyNZ Ltd.) Pastoral Manager Agricultural Technician • Government (e.g., Ministry for Primary Plant Breeding Technician/ Industries (MPI), AsureQuality, Landcorp Agricultural/Horticultural Plant Breeder Farming) Scientist • Finance and insurance (e.g., Rabobank, Policy Advisor/Analyst Agri-tourism Operator BNZ, ANZ, , FMG, , Production Manager NZX Agri) Agronomist/Research • Exporting and marketing (e.g., Export Agronomist Productivity Officer/Manager NZ, NZ Trade and Enterprise, Miraka, New Zealand Shipping Federation, , Animal Health/ Project Manager/Officer Nutrition Specialist ANZCO Foods, Blue Meats, Oceania Research Assistant/ Dairy) Area Manager - Technologist/Manager • Self-employment or contracting (e.g., Agribusiness Sales silage, baleage or vineyard services) Researcher Assistant Production Specialist • Plant, equipment, and machinery (e.g., Rural Banker ICS Manufacturing Ltd., Holdem Cattle Auditor – Food and Dairy Handling Equipment Ltd., Agtrac 2020 Rural Manager- Insurance Breeder Ltd., Carrfields) Rural Property Valuer • Weed and pest control (e.g., NZ Biosecurity Business Analyst Institute Inc., Target Pest Enterprises) Sales Representative Client Manager (Rural Finance) • Fertiliser and chemical industry (e.g., Seed Production Technician Ravensdown, Nutritech International Ltd.) Communications Officer • Horticulture and viticulture industries (e.g., Sharemilker Consulting Officer Zespri International, Southern Paprika Ltd., Soil Nutrition Consultant Delegat’s Wine Estate) Customs Officer • Grain and seed industry (e.g., NZ Seedlab, Soil Scientist Environmental Consultant PGG Wrightson, Seedlands, Cropmark Stock Manager Seeds, Agriseeds, New Zealand Grain and Extension Manager Seed Trade Association) Sustainability Developer Farm Accountant • Meat, cattle, wool (e.g., Blue Sky Meats, Sustainability Services Manager Beef and Lamb, ANZCO Foods, Segard Farm Consultant Masurel, Miraka) Technical Representative Farm Manager • Education, training and recruitment (e.g., Territory Manager Lincoln University, NZ Qualifications Farm Operations Manager Authority) Viticulturist • Research (e.g., New Zealand Crown Farm Technician/Hand Wool Buyer Research Institutes such as AgResearch, Fertiliser Representative Plant and Food Research, or Landcare Wool Classer Research; Dow AgroSciences, Livestock Field Services Representative Improvement (LIC)) (e.g., grains or chemicals) • Processor and manufacturers (e.g., Finance Officer Fonterra, Talleys, Synlait Milk, Heinz Wattie’s, Silver Fern Farms, Tegel Foods) Geneticist • Farm Management (e.g., Dairy Holdings Grower Liaison Ltd., Canterbury Holdings) • Farmer and industry organisations (e.g., Head Shepherd Federated Farmers, Horticulture New Horticulture Exporter Zealand) • Farmer Cooperatives (e.g., Farmlands, Human Resources Manager Ashburton Trading Society) Irrigation Consultant/ • Livestock Management (e.g., NZ Designer/Engineer Agribusiness Centre, Rural Solutions) • Environmental and biological production Journalist organisations (e.g., Department of Laboratory Technician Conservation (DOC), BioGro New Zealand, Environmental Protection Authority) Lecturer

4 Lincoln University Pay rate indications: full time Job title Indicative pay equivalent (FTE) $NZ per Area Manager- Agribusiness Sales 50,000 – 80,000 annum4 Farm Technician/Agricultural Technician (early career) 40,000 – 65,000 Most starting salaries for graduates of Farm Technician/Agricultural Technician (late career) 55,000 – 85,000 bachelor degrees fall between 40,000 - 55,000 per annum. Entry level jobs are Fish Farm Technician (early career) 38,000 – 70,000 stepping stones to roles with increased Sheep/Beef/Grain Farm Manager 50,000 – 80,000 responsibilities and remuneration. Your employability is affected by all of your Dairy Farm Manager 60,000 – 75,000 life experiences, be they employment Customer Services Representative 34,187 – 49,890 related, or the transferrable skills and Territory Manager 54,676 – 96,886 competencies gained from community involvement, volunteer work, or Regional Sales Manager 58,645 – 109,009 previous work or study- all of which can Agricultural Consultant (early career) 45,000 – 80,000 grow competency, expand networks, Agricultural Consultant (late career) 80,000 – 150,000 and demonstrate enthusiasm to future employers. Irrigation Engineer (early career) 45,000 – 50,000 Irrigation Engineer (late career) 70,000 – 100,000 In some cases roles offer remuneration extras such as bonuses or other Field Services Representative (often includes use of vehicle) 45,000 – 70,000 incentives, medical or health insurance, Environmental Consultant 50,000 – 90,000 and the use of a company vehicle or Rural Banker (early career) 45,000 – 60,000 smart phone. Rural Banker (late career) 75,000 – 120,000

4 https://careerhub.lincoln.ac.nz/students/jobs/ search; http://www.getahead.co.nz/the-real-world/ careers/agri-business/#52; https://www.seek.co.nz/jobs; http://www.payscale. com/research/NZ/Employer=PGG_Wrightson/Salary; http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/employment; https://www.careers.govt.nz/jobs-database; http:// www.universitiesnz.ac.nz/files/University%20 Staff%20Academic%20Salaries%20and%20 Remuneration%20-%20Final.pdf; http://www.otago.ac.nz/humanresources; http:// www.canterbury.ac.nz/hr

Agriculture tasks Understand and describe to clients Professionals working in the agriculture the financial ramifications of farming sector are expected to wear many decisions hats in their day to day work. The Research and advise clients on farming following lists indicate tasks one might operations encounter as a consultant, banker, and Assist clients with business and agronomist. strategic planning a) Agricultural/Farm Consultant tasks Research factors that affect crop production, pasture growth and animal Early career farm consultants benefit breeding from a broad knowledge of farming and environment systems. As careers Prepare feasibility studies and reports in this field progress, developing a Provide legislative advice, e.g. Resource specialisation enables later-career Management Act consultants to hone technical skills in Design and implement risk minimisation one particular area. The following table strategies e.g., preparing for natural includes the types of tasks undertaken disasters, droughts, or pests and by farm consultants. diseases Prepare property management reports Assess and report on farm viability

5 Lincoln University b) Rural Banker c) Agronomist Job tasks are role-specific, so the above is an indication only. For more Rural Bankers are recruited directly During the course of their work, information on roles, registered Lincoln from university and have the support agronomists research and develop University students can search Lincoln of mentors while they learn credit and strategies to improve crop yields. The CareerHub (including expired jobs) banking systems. Once working directly ultimate goal is to work scientifically for job titles similar to those they with a portfolio of clients, Rural Bankers to produce the finest crops, on the are interested in. Job descriptions, may undertake the following tasks. most consistent basis, for any situation. including tasks and skills required, are Agronomists may undertake the often available. Support rural customers with banking following tasks. and finance needs Develop and maintain good Research and develop strategies to relationships with clients improve crop yields Provide tailored financial advice to Conduct personal and telephone clients consultations with farmers Tailor-make complex lending packages Examine and report on pest and disease for clients issues affecting crops Visit farms and/or rural businesses Develop plans to combat crop or soil pests and disease Advise clients on meeting regulatory requirements Make improvements to next generation crops Meet sales targets Crop budgeting, rotating and planning Prepare financial reports for clients, and for management Running trial programmes Calculate value of assets Soil sampling Calculate and impose lending limits Make recommendations regarding fertiliser, seed and chemical Develop proposals for buying/selling applications farming businesses Irrigation scheduling Provide business formation advice Study a farms crop production Discern best ways to plant, harvest, and cultivate plants

Graduate profiles

Lachie Boleyn Charlotte Field James Dixon Bachelor of Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Agriculture) Agricultural Science Arable Representative, Nutrient Specialist, Ballance Technical Tour Manager, PGG Wrightson Seeds Agri-Nutrients Farm To Farm Tours

6 Lincoln University Industry bodies Membership of an industry specific body enhances the professional status of students and employees. By joining a professional body, members can research career options, access training and events, and network and collaborate with industry colleagues at all levels. Examples of agriculture industry bodies include: Federated Farmers www.fedfarm.org.nz Horticulture New Zealand www.hortnz.co.nz Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture www.rnzih.org.nz New Zealand Grasslands Association www.grassland.org.nz New Zealand Agricultural and Resource Economics Society www.nzares.org.nz The New Zealand Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Science www.agscience.org.nz Irrigation New Zealand www.irrigationnz.co.nz New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association www.nzgsta.co.nz New Zealand Institute of Forestry www.nzif.org.nz National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand www.bpsc.org.nz New Zealand Society of Soil Sciences www.nzsss.science.org.nz Beef and Lamb New Zealand www.beeflambnz.com NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management www.nzipim.co.nz

Michelle Ash Careers and Employment Library, Teaching and Learning E: [email protected] P: +64 3 423 0331

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