Intern - Agronomy and Farm Solutions

Location: Hesston, KS, US

Forage Agronomy Intern

Job Summary

The Agronomy and Farm Solutions team at AGCO is driven to enhance farm value through science and engineering by connecting sensors and machines to plants and soils. This will more effectively manage genetics, crop protection products, fertilizers, and other machine-centric farm operations thereby increasing yield and reducing waste. The primary focus of this internship opportunity is to assist the North American Agronomy and Farm Solutions team execute and collect data from field research trials. The successful candidate will support research trials that are a part of the development process of new technology to ensure agronomic challenges are identified, along with trials that evaluate customer ROI and best management practices using existing products. The intern will gain valuable experience in, but not limited to, new hay machine technology, soil compaction and management, best practices for hay harvest and management, and forage quality and its relation to livestock nutrition. Focus product lines include mowing, raking, and baling equipment. Although the position may at times require additional travel, most work will be spent in the Midwest (central Kansas area). The ideal candidate would be based remotely in the central Kansas region in order to frequently visit research trials in neighboring states. Field work will be primarily held in the Hesston, Kansas and surrounding area and housing is not included.

Job Function and Responsibilities

• Support with establishing and conducting field trials that will include supporting field product specialists, engineers, and dealers with plot planting and execution
• Evaluate field trials and collect in-season agronomic data multiple times throughout the season in order to explain the equipment’s impact on forage growth and development
• Data entry and analysis
• Possibility of occasional participation in Agronomy related field days
• Complete a special project that includes an online research review of a relevant agronomic topic and summarize findings into an educational presentation that can be used by internal AGCO personal to help drive new initiatives and/or technologies

FUNCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE

• 
  Self-motivated, innovative, problem-solving, and solutions-oriented mindset
• General knowledge of forage management and quality (perennial crops such as alfalfa, grasses)
• Candidate should be proficient in the use of a personal computer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Ability to work in the heat or cold outside and able to walk and work unassisted in fields
• Ability to work extended hours during peak busy seasons and overnight travel

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Animal Science (with knowledge in forage management), Precision Agriculture, Ag Engineering (with knowledge in forage management) or some other related field
• Minimum GPA requirement of 3.0
• Current junior or senior standing at an accredited university
• Satisfactory level of technical knowledge in agronomy, Ag technology, and crop sciences preferred
• Working knowledge of modern farm equipment, especially tractors and hay machines

Nearest Major Market: Blue Earth
Job Segment: Intern, Agricultural, Agronomy, Genetics, Engineer, Entry Level, Agriculture, Science, Engineering