Senior Agronomist

Reporting to the Technical Manager, the Agronomist will lead the key activities as directed in the three production areas of Strawberries, Raspberries and Blackberries
The Agronomist is responsible for working with the technical team to maximise crop production and substrate management including pollination, pest and disease, climate & plant management.
The Agronomist advises the technical growing team on issues including but not limited to, crop disease pests and weeds, plant husbandry, non harvest management and irrigation programs.
They will assist in ensuring that their team and the wider business operates safely and in line with any compliance frameworks. They will also be responsible to help determine and deliver the companies wider values and objectives.
Reporting to the Technical ManagerKey Responsibilities
- Enable collection and analysis of key technical data and timely reporting for the technical team on areas of production of the different cropping systems.
- Ensure pollination requirements for each crop system are met and coordinate with the apiarist on hive placement and movement and pollination quality throughout the season.
- Plan, budget and coordinate biological control applications.
- Create the rolling spray plans and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for each crop and lead continuous improvements.
- Ensure reliable record keeping of both biologicals and chemicals in appropriate software.
- With the wider technical team ensure timely decisions are made about climate and tunnel management and ensure these are communicated to the operations team
- Oversee the Trial Plot to investigate different pre commercial trials both in production, system management and plant physiology. Report regularly on the results of the agreed trials.
- Engage with Driscoll's growing team to ensure maximum crop health and productivity.
- Ensure the technical team always operates in a safe way and lead improvements in managing key risk areas.
- Run the weekly technical meeting by helping to set clear priorities for each crop system and field to ensure engagement and understanding across the technical and operational teams.