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Choosing an Ag Consultant
Ron Meyer, Area
Extension Agent - Golden Plains Area
Date: 12/9/2011
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The science of farming is
becoming more complex each year. Farmers increasingly deal with unforgiving
agricultural pests while using new and improved farming methods. Methods that
sometimes change rather quickly based on scientific research findings. In
addition to established pests attacking agricultural crops, new pests also are
a threat. Further, there are more than just a handful of pesticides available
as tools for rescuing crops. The current crop protection chemical reference is
over 2000 pages.
Farmers can choose to gather all the information they
can via Extension, local seed and chemical companies, agricultural magazines
and newsletters, trade shows, field tours, and even from neighbors. Then, armed
with this new knowledge, farmers can apply it during the growing season to crop
production problems encountered. Much of this information is available at
little or no direct cost. Another option for producers who neither have the
time nor technical expertise is hiring an agricultural consultant, a trained
agronomist who can focus on a farm’s production issues during the growing
season. This is a farm management strategy that is working for many producers.
Surveys indicate over 5million acres are serviced by crop consultants
nationwide with 21% of producers employing them mostly in the Midwestern region
of the U.S. According to the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants
(NAICC), average acres for producers who employ a consultant is approximately
2,000.
Agricultural consultants are individuals trained especially
toward agricultural pest problem solving. Most have a minimum four years of
college and many have advanced degrees in agricultural sciences. A number of
services are offered including scouting a farm’s crops for insects,
diseases, fertility problems, and even irrigation scheduling. Other services
offered are soil sampling, ag chemical recommendations, equipment calibration,
and record keeping. Further, prescriptions for most pesticides are not advised
until an economic threshold for that pest is reached within the crop, insuring
a farm is not only economically efficient but environmentally sound, as well.
In addition, irrigation scheduling services makes the most efficient use of
irrigation water, applying agricultural water to crops when needed.
Many
consultants offer fees that can be geared toward a farm’s needs; soil
testing, contract scouting, or a fully integrated crop management plan (limited
or full service). Part of the fees cover a consultant’s time to do the
legwork of off-season(winter) updates. According to NAICC, fees range from $5
per acre for streamlined services to $30 per acre for high value
crops.
Off-season offers consultants opportunities to educate and update
themselves on what’s new in agriculture. During this period consultants
attend Cooperative Extension meetings, review the latest crop research, and
contact the agri-business industry for updates regarding new products.
Essentially, gathering the latest information on every new aspect of crop
production. Larger consulting companies offer staff in-service training.
What’s more, a national crop consultants organization, the NAICC, and a
national association of agronomists, the American Society of Agronomy, offers
certification programs where exams are taken for plant science certification.
Indeed, most consultants are now card carrying Certified Crop Advisors.
Further, keeping current with new agricultural production information, most
consultants receive newsletters (Extension and others) that cover topics such
as ag production news as well as agricultural political and farm program
information.
So who do you choose? Allison Jones, NAICC Executive
Vice-President, suggests producers choose a consultant with whom they feel very
comfortable. Someone you can easily talk to, because communication is as
necessary as summer precipitation. Most consultants agree that they are there
to help in decision making, and not there to necessarily make decisions for
producers. As a result, the extent, location, and economic threshold of a
discovered pest many times needs adequate and detailed consultant-grower
communication. Therefore, a “good fit” between producer and
consultant is essential.
Furthermore, most consultants now have mobile
phones and e-mail addresses which make them accessible for immediate client
questions.
Important criteria for choosing an agricultural consultant
includes a number of factors. Questions asked of a potential consultant could
include:
• What services will be delivered . . . full or specific
to a production problem?
• What is the crop scouting
frequency?
• What is your experience with each crop I grow?
•
Do you have a support network for further information, if needed?
• Is
your source of income based on clients like myself, or from product
sale?
• How many acres do you manage? Do you have help
available?
• Why are you the best person for this job?
Last, as
decisions that involve agricultural sciences become more complex, one option
for growers is to seek “professional assistance”.