Senior Agronomist
Burlington Berries is a family-owned, professionally managed soft fruit farm located in Cressy, Tasmania, TAS 7302. We produce fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries under contract with Driscoll's Australia.
Reporting to the Technical Manager, the Senior Agronomist will lead the key activities as directed in the three production areas of Strawberries, Raspberries and Blackberries
The Senior Agronomist is responsible for working with the technical team to maximise crop production and substrate management including pollination, pest and disease, climate & plant management.
The Senior Agronomist advises the technical growing team on issues including but not limited to, crop disease pests and weeds, plant husbandry, non-harvest management and irrigation programs.
They will assist in ensuring that their team and the wider business operates safely and in line with any compliance frameworks. They will also be responsible to help determine and deliver the companies wider values and objectives.
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Enable collection and analysis of key technical data and timely reporting for the technical team on areas of production of the different cropping systems.
- Ensure pollination requirements for each crop system are met and coordinate with the apiarist on hive placement and movement and pollination quality throughout the season.
- Plan, budget and coordinate biological control applications.
- Create the rolling spray plans and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for each crop and lead continuous improvements.
- Ensure reliable record keeping of both biologicals and chemicals in appropriate software.
- With the wider technical team ensure timely decisions are made about climate and tunnel management and ensure these are communicated to the operations team
- Oversee the Trial Plot to investigate different pre commercial trials both in production, system management and plant physiology. Report regularly on the results of the agreed trials.
- Engage with Driscoll’s growing team to ensure maximum crop health and productivity.
- Ensure the technical team always operates in a safe way and lead improvements in managing key risk areas
- Run the weekly technical meeting by helping to set clear priorities for each crop system and field to ensure engagement and understanding across the technical and operational teams.
- Represent Burlington at industry events and engagements.
- Contribute to the wider business strategy and vision across all areas.
- Conduct sample collection and observe growing and cultivation processes as well as other environmental factors
- Advise the technical growing team on issues including but not limited to, crop disease pests and weeds, plant husbandry, non-harvest management and irrigation programs
- Analyse data and report on outcomes to technical team/managers in order to improve strawberry, raspberry and blackberry productivity
Skills and Qualifications required:
Bachelors of science qualification relevant to plant science, plus at least 2 years full-time experience as an agricultural scientist/agronomist
Culture and benefits
Burlington Berries offer an inclusive and positive work environment. The Senior Agronomist is a challenging and fulfilling role requiring flexibility and a focus on production.
We offer a competitive salary package to the right candidate based on experience.
We are passionate about what we do and we truly value our people.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $74,000.00 – $79,000.00 per year
Expected Start Date: 01/10/2024
Burlington Berries is a family-owned, professionally managed soft fruit farm located in Cressy, Tasmania, TAS 7302. We produce fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries under contract with Driscoll's Australia.
Reporting to the Technical Manager, the Senior Agronomist will lead the key activities as directed in the three production areas of Strawberries, Raspberries and Blackberries
The Senior Agronomist is responsible for working with the technical team to maximise crop production and substrate management including pollination, pest and disease, climate & plant management.
The Senior Agronomist advises the technical growing team on issues including but not limited to, crop disease pests and weeds, plant husbandry, non-harvest management and irrigation programs.
They will assist in ensuring that their team and the wider business operates safely and in line with any compliance frameworks. They will also be responsible to help determine and deliver the companies wider values and objectives.
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Enable collection and analysis of key technical data and timely reporting for the technical team on areas of production of the different cropping systems.
- Ensure pollination requirements for each crop system are met and coordinate with the apiarist on hive placement and movement and pollination quality throughout the season.
- Plan, budget and coordinate biological control applications.
- Create the rolling spray plans and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for each crop and lead continuous improvements.
- Ensure reliable record keeping of both biologicals and chemicals in appropriate software.
- With the wider technical team ensure timely decisions are made about climate and tunnel management and ensure these are communicated to the operations team
- Oversee the Trial Plot to investigate different pre commercial trials both in production, system management and plant physiology. Report regularly on the results of the agreed trials.
- Engage with Driscoll’s growing team to ensure maximum crop health and productivity.
- Ensure the technical team always operates in a safe way and lead improvements in managing key risk areas
- Run the weekly technical meeting by helping to set clear priorities for each crop system and field to ensure engagement and understanding across the technical and operational teams.
- Represent Burlington at industry events and engagements.
- Contribute to the wider business strategy and vision across all areas.
- Conduct sample collection and observe growing and cultivation processes as well as other environmental factors
- Advise the technical growing team on issues including but not limited to, crop disease pests and weeds, plant husbandry, non-harvest management and irrigation programs
- Analyse data and report on outcomes to technical team/managers in order to improve strawberry, raspberry and blackberry productivity
Skills and Qualifications required:
Bachelors of science qualification relevant to plant science, plus at least 2 years full-time experience as an agricultural scientist/agronomist
Culture and benefits
Burlington Berries offer an inclusive and positive work environment. The Senior Agronomist is a challenging and fulfilling role requiring flexibility and a focus on production.
We offer a competitive salary package to the right candidate based on experience.
We are passionate about what we do and we truly value our people.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $74,000.00 – $79,000.00 per year
Expected Start Date: 01/10/2024
