Agronomists

[Jetemp]

What do you want from them? What would make you change agronomists? Lower price I know will be most people's answer, but if you have agronomists knocking on your door what would swing you towards them.

James

 

[rob1]

What do you want from them? What would make you change agronomists? Lower price I know will be most people's answer, but if you have agronomists knocking on your door what would swing you towards them.

James

Big Tits

 

[Clive]

independence, confidence and knowledge

don't care what they charge as long as they are saving / making me money

 

[Jetemp]

I got asked this question today!! And found it quite difficult to answer
James

 

[dieselburner]

Operate a contract spraying service here and was hoping to get into agronomy or would I be better off staying clear as if things go wrong the farmer will hold me liable for his crop failure/not making money therfore losing the job.

 

[Wheatonrotty]

Had to change ours this year as the one we had been using for 20 yrs passed away suddenly.
Price was not particularly high up the list of priorities after all with the cost/reward of them getting it wrong or right a few quid saved up front could be expensive.
Mainly you need someone you have confidence in. If you are always doubting what they say it's going to be hard work. Backup is another important thing, are they completely independent or part of a small team that can pool their knowledge. Do you get on at a personal level? May not be financially important but makes work more pleasant.

 

[Jetemp]

I suppose when I say cost what I really meant was value for money! For me building up a long term relationship with an agronomist is a priority, if you change you suddenly lose a lot of experience of your land. It could be difficult to make that leap.

James

 

[Brisel]

Value for money.
Honesty. "I don't know the answer" is fine when it is followed by "I'll find out."
Working in the client's best interests, not that of a distributor.
A degree of physical fitness - I expect to see at least half each field walked not the first 50 yards nearest to the gate.
Access to good information and experience. Youth/inexperience is fine if they have access to a second opinion.

 

[David.]

Better if they are the sort that will have a cup of tea and discuss recommendations as sheets are written out, that way you understand whys and wherefores of treatments you are applying.
Do not want an arrogant p***k that you never see, who takes it on himself to send half a lorryload of chems just in time for end of month invoicing cutoff.

 

[B'o'B]

Good eyesight and attention to detail should be somewhere in the mix.

 

[shakerator]

Just do your own. Yes it will cost you time for 2-3 years but after that you'll forget what an agronomist is

 

[Rob Holmes]

Just do your own. Yes it will cost you time for 2-3 years but after that you'll forget what an agronomist is

I've just enroled to my BASIS next year

 

[Still Farming]

Love spending your money 4u

 

[David.]

Just do your own. Yes it will cost you time for 2-3 years but after that you'll forget what an agronomist is

Yes but as a small operator the fees are not much and TBH, I cannot be bothered to keep up with the way registrations keep changing, and have forgotten most of my O level chemistry, and it suits me to have a fresh pair of unbiased eyes look at things.

 

[shakerator]

Yes but as a small operator the fees are not much and TBH, I cannot be bothered to keep up with the way registrations keep changing, and have forgotten most of my O level chemistry, and it suits me to have a fresh pair of unbiased eyes look at things.

The rate we're losing actives you'll soon be able to count them on 1 hand

 

[David.]

Perhaps shan't need him after all then.

 

[Brisel]

Just do your own. Yes it will cost you time for 2-3 years but after that you'll forget what an agronomist is

IMHO you still ought to keep an independent agronomist on a retainer & pay them by the hour. I don't see any substitute for the local & industry knowledge of someone who does agronomy all day every day. After doing my BASIS this is what I did, keeping a TAG agronomist on for strategic advice & a quick look around at key fungicide timings or if I had a query. It cost less than £1/acre for that alone.

BASIS will teach you what chemicals to use but not what dose to use. For that you really need an expert.

 

[B'o'B]

IMHO you still ought to keep an independent agronomist on a retainer & pay them by the hour. I don't see any substitute for the local & industry knowledge of someone who does agronomy all day every day. After doing my BASIS this is what I did, keeping a TAG agronomist on for strategic advice & a quick look around at key fungicide timings or if I had a query. It cost less than £1/acre for that alone.

BASIS will teach you what chemicals to use but not what dose to use. For that you really need an expert.

TAG regional Agronomist can fulfill that roll quite nicely if you engage with them at the field days.