Agricultural Representatives, Consultants and Specialists (2123)

Job titles

• acreage-quota assignment officer
• agricultural advisor
• agricultural consultant
• View all job titles

Nature of work

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.

Fields of interest

• Working in nature and with animals
• Working outdoors or with the environment
• Writing, working in communications and information

Main duties

• Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists perform 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.
• * 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.

Main characteristics of the occupation

• * Interests
• * Physical activities
• * Aptitudes
• * Environmental conditions
• * Data, people, things

These headings are provided for the following occupation(s) :

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.
• * In Quebec, membership in the professional corporation for agrologists is mandatory.

Skill type

• Natural and applied sciences and related fields

Skill level

• Professional

Job titles - Classified elsewhere

• * Agricultural engineers (in 2148 Other Professional Engineers, n.e.c.)
• * Agrology technologists and technicians (in 2221 Biological Technologists and Technicians)
• * Biologists and Related Scientists (2121)
• * Landscape and Horticulture Technicians and Specialists (2225)
• * Managers of agricultural extension and consulting services (in 0212 Architecture and Science Managers)
• * Managers responsible for agricultural economic policy (in 0412 Government Managers - Economic Analysis, Policy Development and Program Administration)

Professional associations

• Association professionnelle des agronomes du Québec (APAQ)
• Ordre des agronomes du Québec