Sacking my Agronomist

[Phil P]

So, we’ve been on serviced agronomy since year dot, my dad had the same agronomist as my grandad and never had any major issues or reasons to complain.
Now the agronomist my dad had retired about 5 years ago so we got a new lad similar age to myself and he’s a decent chap who I get on well with.
So what’s the problem?
Well it’s just little things, like some crops aren’t just as clean as I’d like despite a decent spend on herbicides, sometimes I do feel herbicide timings are little off. Also I always feel we over spend on our fungicide program without seeing the return!
Now I don’t pretend to know squat when it comes to agronomy (I served my time as an engineer) but I am trying to learn as I go along, however I don’t know enough to question his decisions!
The other thing is he also has his own farm and I sometimes feel he isn’t just spending enough time on the agrimony job or is rushing!

So my questions are -
1 - Should I just address my concerns with him and give him another year? After all I get on well with him.

2- Should I ask the company if we can switch to another agronomist but stick with the company?
we’re on good credit terms with them but I do feel they aren’t always the cheapest to deal with!

3- Do I switch to a new company?

4- Or do I find an independent Agronomist’s local to me and shop round for my chems?

5- Has anyone regretted moving away from serviced agronomy?

Thanks for your feedback?

 

[rob1]

I sacked mine when the previous was given early retirement after a takeover, I joined NIAB and a buying group, not looked back since, weeds will always grow though and just changing the advisor doesnt alter that, not all serviced agronomists are bad. If you dont want to do it yourself then go to an independant and buy through a group

 

[Robt]

You will find weeds become resistant . I’d suggest you invite your agronomist for lunch/coffee and discuss your fears

 

[Bob lincs]

I take it he isn’t a member on here ! Although if he does read it it may be the kick up the arse he may need .

 

[Chae1]

I do seem to remember you posting pictures of fantastic crops of wheat and you'd huge yields?

Don't know if its possible in your case, but i have 2 agronomists. Just give them different farms. I find it interesting, it keeps them on there toes and they use different fungicide programs. I do little trials comparing each others products.

I also do a small amount of contract spraying, which also gives me a insight into how other agronomists do the job.

I seem to remember you also do the spraying so you've best view of crop throughout growing season.

I'm a nerd, i love chemicals etc and there affects.

 

[Phil P]

You will find weeds become resistant . I’d suggest you invite your agronomist for lunch/coffee and discuss your fears

I’m not aware we currently have any resistance problems, I think it’s more timing issues. I know we missed the pgr timing on my canary seed which I’m a bit peed off about!
Like I say I’m no Agronomist (that’s why I pay someone), so when I asked when are we giving the canary seed it’s pgr it was a case of erm? were to late.

 

[Chae1]

I’m not aware we currently have any resistance problems, I think it’s more timing issues. I know we missed the pgr timing on my canary seed which I’m a bit peed off about!
Like I say I’m no Agronomist (that’s why I pay someone), so when I asked when are we giving the canary seed it’s pgr it was a case of erm? were to late.

Another thing. When he comes to walk crops go with him. Explain any concerns you have and he should explain why he's applying chemicals and discuss options with you.

 

[Phil P]

I do seem to remember you posting pictures of fantastic crops of wheat and you'd huge yields?

Don't know if its possible in your case, but i have 2 agronomists. Just give them different farms. I find it interesting, it keeps them on there toes and they use different fungicide programs. I do little trials comparing each others products.

I also do a small amount of contract spraying, which also gives me a insight into how other agronomists do the job.

I seem to remember you also do the spraying so you've best view of crop throughout growing season.

I'm a nerd, i love chemicals etc and there affects.

Not all the crops are mine, I cut a lot of other peoples crops so I see both sides of the coin. Don’t get me wrong we’ve had some good crops this year (I’d be extremely miffed if we hadn’t on a year like this) I just feel there’s been a few different things that have bugged me the last couple of years.

 

[Phil P]

Another thing. When he comes to walk crops go with him. Explain any concerns you have and he should explain why he's applying chemicals and discuss options with you.

I do try and get round with him when he comes, I’m not always available but at the same time he doesn’t always let me know he’s here until he’s been round. Trouble is he’ll walk the neighbours fields at the same time which he can’t do if I’m there!

 

[nick...]

Sacked mine a couple weeks back after a terrible yield on two fields and never seen so many weeds.cost me a small fortune too.he is probably reading this but I don’t really care.pee poor job.had a few issues but this was the final nail.
Nick...

 

[deleted user 837354]

Go with him to walk crops to get a feel for it. Constant late timings with PGRs and herbicides are a nonsense which needs to cease immediately as it is sloppy and there is no excuse.

Weeds need sorting when they appear or when conditions allow. Late timings mean big weeds and higher rates.

Take photos of weeds and post on the forum. A load of us will tell you what product/rate we would use and estimated costs.

 

[deleted user 837354]

I do try and get round with him when he comes, I’m not always available but at the same time he doesn’t always let me know he’s here until he’s been round. Trouble is he’ll walk the neighbours fields at the same time which he can’t do if I’m there!

No reason you cant walk other crops with him if he asked the clients permission first.

Farmers who were better informed were easier to deal with in my experience as they could see problems as well as I could and not complain about weed treatments they believed were not needed.

 

[principal skinner]

Sack him,

Take option 4

Read and learn basis knowledge

Join buying group

 

[David.]

I'd like to think the first step would be a frank exchange of your concerns with the chap, not just the eff-off, out of the blue?

 

[bobk]

Most agros are target specific nowadays and I don't mean your weeds .

 

[deleted user 837354]

Most agros are target specific nowadays and I don't mean your weeds .

That is plain wrong.

 

[Rossymons]

I'd ask him to book in appointments rather than just rocking up unannounced.

The easiest and possibly cheapest route is to stick with him as you already have a working relationship with the guy. Tell him how you feel and give him a chance. If you're still unhappy in 12 months time then consider changes then.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Sack him,

Take option 4

Read and learn basis knowledge

Join buying group

Any serious arable farmer should do BASIS I agree but doing your own agronomy might not be practical or even desirable in the first place. Keeping up to date with the newer tech and fert regulations could be problematic and there is a comfort in having the leg work done for you to some extent.

Buying group again is not an automatic win because you are stuck with what they can source and its not necessarily good or cheap.

 

[bobk]

That is plain wrong.

Indeed it is .

 

[icanshootwell]

I hardly ever see mine, I think a lot of them take on too much. If there working for a chemical company expect an expensive spray program. Better to employ an independent agronomist imo.