Jobs in Agricultural Engineering

Answer 1

In agricultural engineering, scientists apply the concepts and technology of engineering to the production of agricultural goods and services. The science is a broad one, incorporating research from several fields of Biology and chemistry with that of mechanical and chemical engineering and basic agricultural practices. Although agricultural engineers are increasingly important to the streamlining of production in large corporate farms, it is a field of study that has proven quite useful to small family farmers as well. Success in today’s agricultural world requires a great deal of study and discipline, which is why a background in agricultural engineering is useful for anybody going into this field.

Types of Agricultural Engineers

Advancements in technology have led to increased specialization in agricultural engineering, which is why there are so many subfields in agricultural engineers. The two main categories in agricultural engineering are crop production and animal production. Those who specialize in crop production focus on seeding, tilling and irrigating plant crops, while agricultural engineers in the animal production industry process poultry, beef, pork and other animal products. Other agricultural engineers focus on the development of new machinery and equipment. More recently, there has been a growing focus on soil conservation and sustainable management in agricultural engineering.

Education and Training

Given the heavy application of biology and engineering, prospective agricultural engineers should seek a college degree in agricultural engineering, food engineering or bio-resource engineering. However, a more general degree in agriculture, forestry or even biology may lead to employment in agricultural engineering. Once employed, it is important for agricultural engineers to remain informed about new technologies, as the industry is a quickly changing one. Often, a post baccalaureate degree in agricultural engineering is necessary for advancement.

Salary and Job Outlook

With the growing standardization of the agricultural sector, the demand for agricultural engineers has skyrocketed. However, agricultural engineering is significantly smaller than other areas of engineering. Fortunately, many agricultural engineers are also able to find employment in environmental engineering. Salary depends greatly on location and specialty, but generally starts around $60,000 for entry-level engineers, with several opportunities for advancement and promotion.