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Useful experience for agricultural technicians includes:

• work in farming, agriculture or horticulture
• work with plants or animals
• research work
• other science or laboratory work.

Agricultural technicians may do some or all of the following:

• examine topographical, soil and other physical characteristics of farmland to determine its most effective use
• assist in developing new and efficient methods of planting, fertilising, harvesting and processing crops
• identify insects, parasites, fungi and weeds harmful to crops and livestock, and come up with methods of controlling them
• analyse produce and livestock, and set and maintain standards of quality
• assist in controlled breeding and artificial insemination to develop improved crop and livestock strains
• arrange the supply of drugs, vaccines and other chemicals to farmers and farm managers, and give advice on their use
• collect and collate data for research
• plan slaughtering, harvesting and other aspects of farming production processes
• advise farmers on farming techniques and management.

High competition for agricultural technician jobs, but range of factors can increase your chances 

Competition for agricultural technician vacancies is strong. This is because high numbers of people are graduating with qualifications in agricultural research.

However, your chances of finding work as an agricultural technician are better if you have:

• relevant experience – for example, work on a farm, or work as a summer student with plants or animals at a research facility
• a good understanding of farming as a whole system – for example, the way pest, insect and disease control impacts on the environment
• a tertiary qualification in agricultural science or science technology
• computer and maths skills, as there are some opportunities in analysis and computer modelling.

Your chances are also higher if you focus on getting into the livestock farming sector, as the Government is investing in making this sector more productive. In 2015, government announced it would spend $7.3 million over five years on an agricultural research initiative to improve pasture grasses by increasing their nutritional content and drought resistance.

Types of employers varied

Agricultural technicians can work for a range of businesses and organisations such as:

• Crown research institutes
• universities and polytechnics
• private sector companies such as research institutes or processing laboratories.

Primary ITO

0800 691 111 - info@primaryito.ac.nz - www.primaryito.ac.nz

With three to five years' experience, an agricultural technician may become a senior or lead science technician.

Those with a Bachelor's degree who gain more experience or further qualifications, such as a Masters or Doctorate, may go on to work as research scientists.

Agricultural technicians usually specialise in a particular area, such as:

Artificial Breeding Technician

Artificial breeding technicians artificially inseminate livestock.

Herd Tester

Herd testers test the health of dairy stock, as well as the quality of milk that they produce.

Research Technician

Research technicians help scientists carry out research, testing and experiments in a particular area of importance to agriculture. This can include forage crops, pasture, soils, weeds, pests, nutrition, reproduction, animal behaviour, and plant breeding.

Agricultural technicians need to be:

• good at problem-solving
• well organised, with good planning skills
• good at written and verbal communication
• skilled at research
• good at analysing and interpreting information.