16 Agricultural Technician Skills for Your Career and Resume

Agricultural technicians work in a variety of settings, including farms, greenhouses, and laboratories. They use their skills to help farmers and other agricultural professionals with tasks like crop production, soil testing, and irrigation. If you’re interested in a career as an agricultural technician, learning about the skills that are essential for this position can help you prepare for success.

Equipment Maintenance

Equipment maintenance skills are important for agricultural technicians because they help you maintain the tools and machinery used in your work. This includes knowing how to repair or replace parts, clean equipment and identify when machines need servicing. You may also be responsible for maintaining company vehicles, which requires additional knowledge about vehicle safety and upkeep.

Patience

Agricultural technicians often work with farmers and other professionals in the agriculture industry. These individuals may have different priorities than you, so it’s important to be patient when working with them. You can also use patience when learning new skills or performing tasks that take time to complete. Patience can help you maintain a positive attitude while working and build stronger relationships with others.

Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry is the ability to care for animals. This includes knowing how to feed, water and shelter them as well as understanding their health needs. Animal husbandry skills are important in an agricultural technician position because they allow you to take care of livestock and other farm animals. You may also be responsible for breeding animals or caring for livestock during pregnancy.

Analytical Skills

Agricultural technicians use their analytical skills to evaluate data and make informed decisions. For example, they may analyze soil samples to determine the nutrients needed for a crop or examine water quality to ensure it’s safe for livestock consumption. They also use their analytical skills when troubleshooting equipment, determining what steps to take next to fix an issue.

Soil Analysis

Soil analysis is the process of testing soil to determine its quality. Agricultural technicians use this skill when working with crops, as they need to know if the soil has enough nutrients for the plants to grow. They also use it to test soil samples from different areas so they can compare them and find out which area produces higher yields.

Record Keeping

Agricultural technicians keep records of their work, including the crops they worked with and the results. They also record data about soil quality, weather conditions and other factors that may affect crop growth. This information can help them make informed decisions when working in the field or planning for future seasons. It’s important to be detail-oriented when taking notes so you can analyze your data effectively.

Attention to Detail

Attention to detail is a skill that can help you perform your job well. As an agricultural technician, you may need to record data accurately and keep detailed records of the plants in your care. This ensures that you can monitor their growth effectively and identify any issues they might have. It also allows you to track how different factors affect plant growth over time so you can make adjustments as needed.

Communication

Communication is the ability to convey information in a clear and understandable manner. This skill is important for working with clients, supervisors and other employees. Agricultural technicians often communicate through written notes or emails, phone calls and text messages. They also use verbal communication when speaking with clients about their crops and livestock.

Feeding & Watering

Agricultural technicians often perform duties related to feeding and watering livestock. This includes preparing food, measuring the correct amount of feed for each animal and ensuring that animals have access to clean water. It’s important to know how much food or water an animal needs at a given time so you can provide them with the right amount. You may also need to monitor whether animals are eating their food properly or if they’re having any health issues.

Farm Equipment Operation

Farm equipment operation is a necessary skill for an agricultural technician to have. This allows them to operate tractors, harvesters and other machinery that farmers use on their farms. It also helps technicians perform their duties more efficiently because they can complete tasks faster with the proper equipment.

Crop Maintenance

Crop maintenance is the ability to identify and treat plant diseases, pests or other issues that affect a crop’s growth. Agricultural technicians often perform this task by inspecting crops regularly and using pesticides when necessary. This skill can help them ensure their employer’s crops are healthy and growing at an optimal rate.

Problem Solving Skills

Problem solving skills are necessary for agricultural technicians to use their knowledge of equipment and crops effectively. They may need to solve issues that arise when working with machinery, such as fixing a tractor or figuring out how to operate new technology. Agricultural technicians also use problem-solving skills when they’re in the field assessing crop conditions or identifying pests and diseases.

Observation Skills

Observation skills are important for an agricultural technician to have because they help you notice details about the crops and soil. You may need to observe how plants react to certain fertilizers or irrigation methods, so it’s important to be able to pay attention to detail when working in a field. This skill also helps you identify any issues that might affect plant growth, such as pests or diseases.

Irrigation

Irrigation is the process of supplying water to crops. Agricultural technicians use irrigation when they’re working on a farm, so it’s important that they know how to irrigate properly. They may need to install and maintain irrigation systems or apply water manually using watering cans or other tools.

Pest Control

Pest control is the process of removing pests from a property. Agricultural technicians often use pest control to protect crops and livestock from harmful insects, weeds and other pests that can damage them. This skill requires knowledge about which pesticides are safe for certain plants and animals as well as how to apply these chemicals safely.

Harvesting

Harvesting is the process of collecting crops from fields. Agricultural technicians may need to harvest produce, which requires knowledge of harvesting methods and tools. They also use harvesting skills when performing tasks like pruning plants or weeding gardens. Harvesting can include driving large machinery over fields to gather crops, so it’s important for agricultural technicians to know how to operate these machines safely.

How Can I Learn These Agricultural Technician Skills?

There are a few ways that you can learn the necessary skills to become an agricultural technician. Many of these skills can be learned through on-the-job training, working with experienced technicians and farmers. You can also learn these skills through formal education, such as completing an agricultural technician program at a college or university. Many of the skills, such as equipment maintenance and animal husbandry, can also be learned through online courses or through agricultural extension programs.