Agricultural economists have management-related jobs in agribusiness firms. They use modern analytical management tools to make profitable decisions. Agricultural economists conduct financial analysis, develop marketing plans, and set up optimal production schedules in U.S. and international food and fiber firms. They often begin their careers in management or production operations or as sales representatives, then progressively take on increasing responsibility for decision-making. Most agricultural economists spend a great deal of their work lives analyzing alternative decisions.
Agricultural engineers apply basic science and engineering principles as they design solutions to engineering problems in agricultural production. Agricultural engineers design agricultural machinery and facilities such as tractors, implements, housing, storage and handling facilities, irrigation and drainage systems, and soil conservation measures.
Agronomists deal with field crops and soil management. They develop new varieties of crops, analyze soil structure, investigate soil chemistry, and study the physics of water movement in soil. Agronomists are concerned with the environment. You will find agronomists teaching, conducting business, and doing research in all parts of the food industry all around the world.
Animal nutrition is an art that combines the sciences of animal nutrition, animal behavior, biochemistry, economics, and food processing with animal production techniques. Animal nutritionists formulate diets for domestic, companion, and exhibit animals. They work with mammals, birds, and fish. The diets they create must be nutritionally sound, good-tasting, and economical for the ages and types of animals that will follow them.
Animal physiologists study how animals function. That includes how animals interact with things outside them, such as temperature or air quality, plus things inside them, such as disease, poisons, or diet.
In your first job in aquaculture, you will probably stock ponds, feed fish, monitor water quality, check for diseases, harvest fish, and maintain equipment. If you become a manager, you will supervise pond workers, plan production schedules, purchase feed and equipment, and plan harvesting, processing, and marketing.
Biochemists define the chemical events that cause biological phenomena in organisms. They use what they learn in their research to develop and market agricultural, consumer, and medicinal products. Most biochemists conduct either basic or applied laboratory research. Some work in marketing and technical sales. Some may move into research and development management positions. A few pursue careers in law or science writing.
