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19-4012.01 · Task explorer

Precision Agriculture Technicians: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

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This source lists 22 tasks, including 22 marked Core and 0 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2023.

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22 tasks shown

Core · Task 18295 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information.

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Core · Task 18281 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).

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Core · Task 20872 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Use geospatial technology to develop soil sampling grids or identify sampling sites for testing characteristics such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium content, pH, or micronutrients.

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Core · Task 18284 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Divide agricultural fields into georeferenced zones, based on soil characteristics and production potentials.

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Core · Task 18280 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Install, calibrate, or maintain sensors, mechanical controls, GPS-based vehicle guidance systems, or computer settings.

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Core · Task 18289 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Create, layer, and analyze maps showing precision agricultural data, such as crop yields, soil characteristics, input applications, terrain, drainage patterns, or field management history.

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Core · Task 18279 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Compare crop yield maps with maps of soil test data, chemical application patterns, or other information to develop site-specific crop management plans.

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Core · Task 20875 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Analyze geospatial data to determine agricultural implications of factors such as soil quality, terrain, field productivity, fertilizers, or weather conditions.

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Core · Task 18282 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Identify spatial coordinates, using remote sensing and Global Positioning System (GPS) data.

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Core · Task 20874 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Analyze data from harvester monitors to develop yield maps.

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Core · Task 19801 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Apply precision agriculture information to specifically reduce the negative environmental impacts of farming practices.

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Core · Task 20873 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Demonstrate the applications of geospatial technology, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), automatic tractor guidance systems, variable rate chemical input applicators, surveying equipment, or computer mapping software.

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Core · Task 18296 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Draw or read maps, such as soil, contour, or plat maps.

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Core · Task 18288 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Recommend best crop varieties or seeding rates for specific field areas, based on analysis of geospatial data.

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Core · Task 20876 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Prepare reports in graphical or tabular form, summarizing field productivity or profitability.

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Core · Task 19803 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Provide advice on the development or application of better boom-spray technology to limit the overapplication of chemicals and to reduce the migration of chemicals beyond the fields being treated.

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Core · Task 18278 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Program farm equipment, such as variable-rate planting equipment or pesticide sprayers, based on input from crop scouting and analysis of field condition variability.

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Core · Task 19802 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Participate in efforts to advance precision agriculture technology, such as developing advanced weed identification or automated spot spraying systems.

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Core · Task 18293 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Analyze remote sensing imagery to identify relationships between soil quality, crop canopy densities, light reflectance, and weather history.

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Core · Task 19800 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Advise farmers on upgrading Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to take advantage of newly installed advanced satellite technology.

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Core · Task 18290 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Contact equipment manufacturers for technical assistance, as needed.

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Core · Task 18287 · 08/2023 · Occupational Expert

Identify areas in need of pesticide treatment by analyzing geospatial data to determine insect movement and damage patterns.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

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