040 OCCUPATIONS IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

040 Agricultural Sciences

This group includes occupations concerned with the application of scientific principles to problems related to agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and environmental impact. Also includes development of improved methods in cultivation, processing, handling, and storing of products; land conservation practices; pest control; landscape planning; and related activities.

040.061-010 AGRONOMIST (profess. & kin.) crop-research scientist; crop scientist

Conducts experiments or investigations in field-crop problems and develops new methods of growing crops to secure more efficient production, higher yield, and improved quality: Plans and carries out breeding studies at experiment stations or farms to develop and improve varieties of field crops, such as cotton, tobacco, or cereal with respect to characteristics, such as yield, quality, adaptation to specific soils or climates, and resistance to diseases and pests [PLANT BREEDER (profess. & kin.)]. Studies crop production to discover best methods of planting, cultivation, harvesting, and effects of various climatic conditions on crops. Develops methods for control of noxious weeds, crop diseases, and insect pests [PLANT PATHOLOGIST (profess. & kin.)]. May specialize in specific field crop, group of field crops, or specific agronomic problem.

040.061-014 ANIMAL SCIENTIST (profess. & kin)

Conducts research in selection, breeding, feeding, management and marketing of beef and dual-purpose cattle, horses, mules, sheep, dogs, goats, and pet animals: Develops improved practices in feeding, housing, sanitation, and parasite and disease control. Controls breeding practices to improve strains of animals. May specialize in animal nutritional research and be designated ANIMAL NUTRITIONIST (profess. & kin.). May be designated according to animal specialty.

040.061-018 DAIRY SCIENTIST (profess. & kin.)

Conducts research in selection, breeding, feeding, and management of dairy cattle: Studies feed requirements of dairy animals and nutrition value of feed materials. Carries out experiments to determine effects of different kinds of feed and environmental conditions on quantity, quality, and nutritive value of milk produced. Develops improved practices in care and management of dairy herds and use of improved buildings and equipment. Studies physiology of reproduction and lactation, and carries out breeding programs to improve dairy breeds [ANIMAL BREEDER (agric.)]. May be designated according to specialty as DAIRY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (profess. & kin.); DAIRY-NUTRITION SPECIALIST (profess. & kin.).

040.061-022 DAIRY TECHNOLOGIST (profess. & kin.) dairy-manufacturing technologist; dairy-products technologist.

Applies principles of bacteriology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and economics to develop new and improved methods in production, preservation, and utilization of milk, cheese, ice cream, and other dairy products: Conducts experiments in such problems as preventing bacterial increase in milk during handling and processing, improving pasteurization methods, and designing better packaging materials, dairy equipment, or supplies. May specialize according to product, as ice cream or cheese, or according to functional activity, as sanitation research or storage problems.

040.061-026 FIBER TECHNOLOGIST (profess. & kin.)

Studies nature, origin, use, improvement, and processing methods of plant, animal, and synthetic fibers: Analyzes wool, mohair, cashmere, camel's hair, alpaca, bristles, feathers, and similar animal and fowl fibers, plant fibers, such as cotton, linen, and jute, and synthetic fibers and products made from these fibers. Applies principles of science to improve growth and quality of fibers. Conducts experiments in blending fibers and develops improved manufacturing methods for converting fibers into articles, such as cloth, felts, rugs, mattresses, and brushes. Conducts tests on fibrous structures for quality control, such as tensile strength and stability to heat, light, and chemicals. May be identified according to fibers studied.

040.061-030 FOREST ECOLOGIST (profess. & kin.)

Conducts research in environmental factors affecting forests: Carries out studies to determine what conditions account for prevalence of different varieties of trees. Studies classification, life history, light and soil requirements, and resistance to disease and insects of different species. Investigates adaptability of different species to new environmental conditions, such as changes in soil type, climate, and altitude.

040.061-034 FORESTER (profess & kin.)

Manages and develops forest lands and their resources for economic and recreational purposes: Plans and directs projects in forestation and reforestation. Maps forest areas, estimates standing timber and future growth, and manages timber sales. Plans cutting programs to assure continuous production of timber. Conducts research in methods of cutting and removing timber with minimum waste and damage, and methods of processing wood for various uses. Directs suppression of forest fires and conducts fire-prevention programs. Plans campsites and recreation centers, and directs construction and maintenance of cabins, fences, telephone lines, and roads. Assists in planning and carrying out projects for control of floods, soil erosion, tree diseases, and insect pests in forests [ENTOMOLOGIST (profess & kin.); PLANT PATHOLOGIST (profess. & kin.); SOIL CONSERVATIONIST (profess. & kin.)]. Advises on forestry problems and conducts educational programs on care of forests. May participate in environmental studies and prepare variety of environmental reports. May be designated according to specialty as CONSULTING FORESTER (profess. & kin); FOREST EXAMINER (profess. & kin.); FOREST RANGER (profess. & kin.); FOREST RECREATIONIST (profess. & kin.); FOREST SUPERVISOR (profess. & kin.); RESEARCH FORESTER (profess & kin.); TIMBER-MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (profess. & kin.).

040.061-038 HORTICULTURIST (profess. & kin.)

Conducts experiments and investigations on problems of breeding, production, storage, processing, and transit of fruits, nuts, berries, vegetables, flowers, bushes, and trees: Experiments to develop new or improved varieties having higher yield, quality, nutritional value, resistance to disease, or adaptability to climates, soils, uses, or processes. Determines best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, and harvesting. May specialize in research, breeding, production, or shipping and storage of fruits, nuts, berries, vegetables, ornamental plants, or other horticultural products and be identified according to specialty.

040.061-042 POULTRY SCIENTIST (profess. & kin.)

Conducts research in breeding, feeding, and management of poultry: Examines selection and breeding practices to increase efficiency of production and improve quality of poultry products [ANIMAL BREEDER (agric.)]. Studies nutritional requirements of various classes of poultry. Develops improved practices in incubation, brooding, feeding, rearing, housing, artificial insemination, and disease and parasite prevention and control. Studies effects of management practices and processing methods on quality of eggs and other poultry products. May specialize in artificial insemination.

040.061-046 RANGE MANAGER (profess. & kin.) range-management specialist.

Conducts research in range problems to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife: Studies range lands to determine best grazing seasons and number and kind of livestock that can be most profitably grazed. Plans and directs construction and maintenance of range improvements, such as fencing, corrals, reservoirs for stock watering, and structures for soil-erosion control. Develops improved practices for range re-seeding. Studies forage plants and their growth requirements to determine varieties best suited to particular range. Develops methods for controlling poisonous plants, and for protecting range from fire and rodent damage. May specialize in particular area and be designated as RANGE CONSERVATIONIST (profess. & kin.).

040.061-054 SOIL CONSERVATIONIST (profess. & kin.)

Plans and develops coordinated practices for soil erosion control, moisture conservation, and sound land use: Conducts surveys and investigations on rural or urban planning, agriculture, construction, forestry, or mining on measures needed to maintain or restore proper soil management. Plans soil management practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing as related to soil and water conservation. Prepares soil conservation plans in cooperation with state, county, or local government, farmers, foresters, miners, or urban planners to provide for use and treatment of land according to needs and capability. Applies principles of two or more specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture to achieve objectives of conservation. May develop or participate in environmental studies.

040.061-058 SOIL SCIENTIST (profess. & kin.)

Studies soil characteristics and maps soil types, and investigates responses of soils to known management practices to determine use capabilities of soils and effects of alternative practices on soil productivity: Classifies soils according to standard types. Conducts experiments on farms or experimental stations to determine best soil types for different plants. Performs chemical analysis on micro-organism content of soil to determine microbial reactions and chemical and mineralogical relationship to plant growth. Investigates responses of specific soil types to tillage, fertilization, nutrient transformations, crop rotation, environmental consequences, water, gas or heat flow, industrial waste control and other soil management practices. Advises interested persons on rural or urban land use. May specialize in one or more types of activities relative to soil management and productivity and be designated as SOIL FERTILITY EXPERT (profess. & kin.).

040.361-010 LABORATORY TECHNICIAN, ARTIFICIAL BREEDING (agric.)

Measures purity and potency of animal semen to develop improved methods of processing and preserving for artificial insemination: Observes sample of freshly-collected semen under microscope to determine mobility of sperm cells. Measures density, using densiometer. Adds measured amounts of extender, sodium citrate, and antibiotics to dilute and preserve sample. Transfers to refrigeration unit. Records data for use in compiling history of sire. Cleans and sterilizes laboratory equipment. Performs experimental tests, as directed, for purposes such as extension of cell survival rate and development of improved preservation processes. Cultivates, isolates, and identifies pathogenic bacteria and other micro-organisms in semen.

040.361-014 SEED ANALYST (profess. & kin.) farm-seed specialist.

Tests seed for germination, purity, and weed content: Plants definite number of seeds in box of pure soil and counts number of plants that grow to calculate percentage of germination. Inspects seed with magnifying glass or microscope for chaff, bits of wood, and weed content (any seed other than the one under consideration).

Adapted from US Department of Labor DOT for Dictionary of Agricultural Occupations



Dictionary of Agricultural Occupations

Send questions to: gebillikopf@ucdavis.edu

Gregorio Billikopf Encina
(209) 525-6800


15 November 2004