Seed Production Technician
Seed production technicians manage the planning, strategy and production of seed for a company. They assist growers throughout the entire field production cycle of a seed from planting to harvest. Their responsibilities vary throughout the year but may cover many parts of producing seeds for crops including crop production, harvesting, packaging and warehousing.
Future Job Market
-
Fair
-
Good
-
Excellent
Typical Employers:
Seed production technicians are typically employed by seed production companies, biotechnology companies, government or universities, cooperatives and research firms.
Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations:
- The American Seed Trade Association
- Soil Science Society of America
- National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants
- American Society of Agronomy
- Committee for Sustainable Agriculture
- Crop Science Society of America
- State and regional seed associations
Salary:
$33,000?
SAE Connections:
FFA Connections:
What Responsibilities Will I Have?
- Be accountable for each area of the company’s seed production
- Manage production staff in each location, providing direction to each farm manager
- Negotiate and coordinate contracts for contract growers
- Communicate and work with growers, field inspectors and machine operators
- Receive and process seed hauls from the field for weighing and unloading
- Apply appropriate treatment to seeds
- Negotiate and coordinate contracts for contract processors to process, bag and deliver seed
- Assist with crop production activities such as planting and harvest
- Safely operate farm equipment (tractors, wagons)
- Look for ways to improve processes and procedures to be more efficient and cost-effective
- Clean and treat seed
- Ensure production supply year-round
- Produce high-quality seed in budgeted quantities for domestic and sometimes international markets
- Oversee the parent seed function ensuring budgeted levels of parent seed are maintained
- Develop and execute divisional budgets and plans
Recommended High School Courses:
- agricultural education
- mathematics
- business
- focus on science such as biology, chemistry, plant science, botany and earth science
Education/Training Required:
A bachelor’s degree in agronomy, plant science, biology or related field is required. Certifications such as a pesticide applicator’s license or Certified Crop Advisor are typically preferred.
