What’s it all about then?

As a Technical Advisor you’ll offer specialist advice and support to farmers to make sure that the farm business is performing to its very best.

This could involve advising on crop production, livestock rearing practices, farm building construction and monitoring financial impacts on the business.

You’ll likely be specialised in one or two particular areas and you’ll work closely with farmers, growers, seed producers, and animal feed producers and so on.

What might I be doing?

Because of the number of advisory roles there could be a wide variety of technical issues you’ll deal with but some of the following might be expected:

• Collecting and analysing information
• Writing reports and making recommendations
• Pest control planning and implementation
• Advising on new, more efficient types of production
• Liaising with farm suppliers and keeping updated on product developments
• Presenting and organising product/system demonstrations for farmers
• Keeping up to date with all industry developments
• Getting the message across to a wide audience

What will be expected of me?

You’ll be expected to have a high degree of specialised knowledge and competence in your field of expertise, so that your information is trusted and acted upon appropriately.

You’ll need to have good marketing and sales skills in order to negotiate the implementation of your proposals; of course this also means you’ll need to have a good degree of financial savvy as well.

The information you gather will have to be analysed and then presented to your clients in a readily understood format so they are able to make effective decisions.

In general you’ll need to have a flexible attitude towards your job and be able to work accurately and quickly.

What can I expect?

Whilst you’ll work a typical 30 hour week this is unlikely to be 9am to 5pm because farmers don’t tend to work those hours, particularly at busy times, and they are your customers; that means you suit their schedule.

Also your hours may be a lot longer at certain times of the year.

You can expect to have to wear protective clothing on the farm and carefully follow all bio-security procedures in place to avoid contamination etc especially as you will be visiting different farms; also be prepared to be outdoors in all weathers.

Some office and lab work can also be expected depending on the exact nature of the job.

What about the pay?

The actual rates will vary widely with location and employer but you should expect to start at between £20000 and £25000 per annum, rising to £35000 to
£40000 as you develop your experience.

If you move to a senior post then more than £50000 per annum can be earned, alongside other benefits.

Please note that these figures are provided for your guidance only and you should always check for up to date information.

What qualifications do I need to get in?

Most Technical Advisor roles will require a degree in a relevant subject such as a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture or related science qualifications.

These related qualifications include Animal Nutrition, Horticulture, Biology, and Agronomy.

You could also consider studying for a Foundation Degree in Horticulture or similar.

Some horticulture or farming experience might also be helpful.

Where would I get these qualifications?

There are many Universities around the UK that offer courses like those listed and once you have some idea of what you want to study then start checking prospectuses to investigate where you might end up.

For instance you could study for a BSc in Horticulture at the University of Worcester or a Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Horticulture from CAFRE; you could check these out to get you started.

Once you graduate then you’ll find that many farm consultancy firms offer development schemes for Graduates or Assistant Farm Consultants to be trained and gain experience in analysing farm accounts, technical specialisms, sales and marketing, and working towards becoming a Technical Advisor.

What about further training?

As mentioned above, many farm consultancies employ graduate trainees and give them loads of training to enhance their career prospects as Technical Advisors.

Alternatively a postgraduate qualification in a specialist subject such as animal production, soil science, seed and crop technology or poultry science could be helpful.

Once again you should check University prospectuses for information – you’ll likely find that many of those offering the degree that you want will also offer a variety of linked postgraduate qualifications.

You can also apply to join a number of professional bodies such as the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (BIAC) or the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM), depending on your area of specialism. These and other similar bodies will provide you with loads of career development opportunities.

Anything else I might need to know?

Yes, with the Agricultural sector under increasing pressure from customers, the role of Technical advisor has never been more important as you help improve efficiencies and overall profitability of farm businesses.

Taking this role gives you a real chance to make a positive difference and ensure the sustainability of farming enterprises into the future.