Occupation information for

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems GIS and Global Positioning System GPS , to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

Currently Employed: 378

Yearly Projected Openings: 20

Typical Hourly Wage: $16.39 - $33.09

Typical Annual Salary: $34,100 - $68,800

• Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).
• Create, layer, and analyze maps showing precision agricultural data, such as crop yields, soil characteristics, input applications, terrain, drainage patterns, or field management history.
• Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information.
• Compile and analyze geospatial data to determine agricultural implications of factors such as soil quality, terrain, field productivity, fertilizers, and weather conditions.
• Divide agricultural fields into georeferenced zones, based on soil characteristics and production potentials.
• Develop soil sampling grids or identify sampling sites, using geospatial technology, for soil testing on characteristics such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content, pH, and micronutrients.
• Compare crop yield maps with maps of soil test data, chemical application patterns, or other information to develop site-specific crop management plans.
• Apply knowledge of government regulations when making agricultural recommendations.
• Draw or read maps, such as soil, contour, or plat maps.
• Recommend best crop varieties or seeding rates for specific field areas, based on analysis of geospatial data.

• Complex controlling devices
• Fertilizer spreaders or distributors
• Seed drills
• Seeder attachment
• Sprayers

• Analytical or scientific software
• Data base user interface and query software
• Map creation software
• Presentation software
• Word processing software