AddressRoles/Responsibility
To conduct and manage on farm field assessments, data and software management, zone mapping to ensure variable rate applications for broadacre seeding, crop applications and soil regeneration. The overall aim is to improve soil health, optimise input efficiency for crop production and contribute value to the farming business and providing technical support while working with Farm Manager, Agronomist and staff.
Tasks and Requirements
Crop and Soil Health
Monitor plants for stress, including insects, disease and abiotic stress and implement strategies in consultation with agronomist.
Conduct plant tissue tests, soil samples and whole tops for laboratory assessment and interpret results for foliar fungicides, fertiliser and trace element applications.
The cropping business has an integrated weed management strategy, and the applicant is required to adhere to these principles, identify weeds and determine thresholds for economical control action.
Field Trials and Research
Conduct and coordinate both small scale and broadscale cropping trials for the following:
- Advanced plant establishment plots for monitoring pre seeding
- Germination tests on seed retained on farm
- Soil amelioration test strips to determine yield benefit
- Trace element and soil wetter responses with airseeder and sprayer
- Liaise with GRDC researchers and company field researchers.
Machinery and Equipment
Must be able to operate and maintain tractors, sprayers and harvesters and keep to a high standard. Preventative maintenance as pre season checks in conjunction with contract mechanic and dealer mechanics.
Seeding operation to be completed by following rotation maps from Farm Manager to ensure crop establishment is achieved by seeding rate calibrations, sowing depth to conditions and non wetting soil management.
Data Management/Analysis
Record keeping with seed batch numbers, source and inputs. Upload variable rate maps, monitor equipment and ensure data is captured for what actual rates were applied.
Upload data into excel and interpret data with precision mapping consultants.
Record moisture data into App to assist in seeding decisions and spraying applications.
Ability to clear data storage in machines and reload maps into consoles. Remote monitoring and data input via FieldView. Maintain the machine to machine connectivity.
Data analysis to generate variable rate maps for soil amelioration and fertiliser inputs. Ground truth variable rate maps to test application responses.
Safety and Team Environment
You will be responsible to follow our Farm Safe Policy and ensure that you apply this policy when instructing farm staff regarding crop applications and machinery operation.
We are a family farm business with full time family staff, permanent staff and seasonal workers.
You are required to work as part of the team and mentor other staff in understanding the research on farm and explain concepts that improve soil health to increase productivity.
Work Package:
In addition to salary, you are also provided with on farm housing and a work vehicle.
Experience Requirements:
- Sound agronomic knowledge in broadacre agriculture in Western Australia
- Proficient data management and ability to conduct on farm trials
- Understand controlled traffic farming and the benefits of the system and proficient machinery operator.
- Two references that confirm attention to detail and ability to look after equipment and work to a high standard.
- Chemical Handling Certificate preferred.
- Minimum 3 years experience
