Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists

Overview

Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists provide assistance and advice to farmers on all aspects of farm management, cultivation, fertilization, harvesting, soil erosion and composition, disease prevention, nutrition, crop rotation and marketing. They are employed by businesses, institutions and governments that assist the farming community, or they may be self-employed.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Provide counselling and advisory services to farmers on crop cultivation and fertilization, harvesting, animal and poultry care, disease prevention, farm management, farm financing, marketing and other agricultural subjects

  • Prepare and conduct advisory information sessions and lectures for farmers and other groups

  • Conduct research, analyze agricultural data and prepare research reports

  • Liaise with researchers, educators and government or business managers on matters pertaining to farming and agriculture

  • Maintain records of services provided and the effects of advice given

  • May operate unmanned aerial vehicle/drone to map drainage, plant seeds, analyze crop health and identify areas of stress and evenly spray fertilizers or pesticides.

  • Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists may specialize in specific aspects of agriculture such as animal science, field crops, horticulture, soil science, irrigation or drainage, farm management, marketing, agricultural economics, land use, and environmental management, appraisal or extension and education.

Job titles

  • soil fertility expert
  • soil conservationist
  • sales agronomist
  • professional agrologist (P.Ag.)
  • livestock specialist
  • irrigation consultant - agriculture

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2023 edition

Annual salary

Low

$40,857

Median

$73,392

High

$104,134

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

62

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • A bachelor's or master's degree in agriculture or in a related science is required.

  • Membership or eligibility for membership in a provincial institute of agrology is usually required.

Additional information

  • Progression to management positions is possible with experience.

Certification requirements

Optional: The following certification are optional to practice as Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists in B.C.

  • Registration with the BC Institute of Agrologists

Registration with the BC Institute of Agrologists

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To work as an agrologist in B.C., you may choose to register with the B.C. Institute of Agrologists. There are several different designations you can apply for. Eligibility differs for each designation. Please visit the B.C. Institute of Agrologists site for more details.

Visit website

Other careers