Job Summary:

The Research Agronomist will report to the Director of Corn Silage Breeding and will be responsible for timely planting, superior plot maintenence, accurate in-season data collection and harvest of FGI corn silage yield trials and nursery activities. This position will be accountable for all phases of nursery and field testing including planning, execution, data entry and delivery of data that meet the quality required to support the California corn silage breeding program.

• Locate nurseries and test plots; interact with landowners and cooperators to manage irrigation, fertility, weed and insect pressure effectively; assist in identifying new plot cooperators as needed.
• Plant, irrigate, spray and harvest nursery and research trials.
• Collect and enter research data into appropriate database in a timely manner.
• Maintain, repair, and transport field equipment (planters, tractors and small-plot research equipment) in a safe, timely and cost-effective manner; develop and evaluate new technologies, equipment and practices to improve cost-efficiency or precision of field evaluation.
• Support and communicate with sales staff during customer tours and field calls to understand stakeholder needs and research capacities, in addition to strategies, decisions, data and activity plans.
• Hire, train and manage seasonal work crews.

Required: Associates or Bachelors degree in Agriculture-related field, CDL license or willing to obtain, infrequent overnight travel, ability to obtain valid CA pesticide applicator license.

Preferred: Farm machinery operation and maintenance, 5 years of Ag retail or small plot experience, experience managing people, proficiency in Spanish.

If interested, please contact Dr. Lori Carrigan at LLCarrigan@landolakes.com.

Forage Genetics International is a subsidiary of Land O’Lakes, Inc. Land O’Lakes, Inc. offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical and dental insurance, retirement savings account, tuition reimbursement, PTO, paid holidays and employee development opportunities. Land O’Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Land O’Lakes, Inc. enforces a policy of maintaining a drug-free workforce, including pre-employment substance abuse testing.