International Agronomist's Day: An insight into the life of a Nutrien agro
It’s a big word and one that often goes unheard of in the cities but our agronomists are vital to agricultural production in Australia.
Not only are they who our farmers look to for advice on the productivity and sustainability of crops and pastures, but they are a point of call and a sounding board for growers within their communities.
To celebrate International Agronomist's Day on September 18, we caught up with two of our agros from either sides of the country to provide insight into the life of a Nutrien agronomist.
Joining the Nutrien team through our Graduate Program, 24-year-old Bailey Parsons has recently returned home to the Western Australian Wheatbelt as an agronomist in Pingelly.
With aspirations to work in agronomy while studying Crop and Pasture Science at Murdoch University, Parsons said he was often faced with the challenge of explaining exactly what an agronomist does.
“I still come across people all the time who have never heard of an agronomist and it can be a tough thing to understand for people who might not have a background in agriculture,” he said.
“I often say we build a plan with a grower about how he's going about the year to grow the best crop sustainably; whether that's nutrition, herbicides, insecticides or fungicides.
“Once you do explain it, I think people can understand what you're there for because crops don't just grow by themselves and it takes a big team to grow a crop in some of these bigger businesses.
“I think it's an awesome job, you build great relationships not only in the community with growers but also outside with chemical companies, fertiliser suppliers and also the Nutrien network itself is so resourceful.”
Meanwhile, 30-year-old Forbes agronomist Max Ridley has always had a passion for agriculture and farming but a career in the industry wasn’t something he considered until his parents suggested studying Agricultural Science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.
Joining the Forbes Nutrien team as a graduate agronomist in 2017, Ridley now services numerous clients in his hometown community.
“Growing up on a farm, I was always interested in ag and I was never someone that you would find in front of a TV,” Ridley said.
“Every spare moment that I wasn’t at school I was always out in the tractor or in the ute with dad.
“I aways thought I would do a trade but Mum and Dad suggested I go to university and study agriculture and I thought I’d go there and come back to the farm after 12 months.
“Four years later I had a degree and I’m still working as an agronomist today.”
With a long standing connection to Nutrien and it’s former businesses, Ridley said he is proud to be representing the company that has always been a point of call for his family farm.
“We have always looked to Nutrien for Ag services, we’ve been selling our livestock with them for 40 years and have always had Nutrien agronomists,” he said.
“I did my university placement with Nutrien and I was fortunate enough that they offered me a graduate position.
“As a company, they provide all the resources you ever need, you can pick up the phone and speak to any specialist on any crop type, weed or disease.
“So not only are the resources they offer hugely valuable but also the support we get in career development and learning.”
Nutrien Ag Solutions has hundreds of agronomists located across every corner of regional and rural Australia, ready to support farmers to achieve results.