Crop Technician
Rebecca is a Field Operations Manager at the John Innes Centre
I help scientists who are researching different variations of crops (plants grown for food, such as wheat, oilseed rape, peas and potatoes). The work we do helps people understand and learn about the crops, how they are affected by climate change, pests and diseases, or how they can be improved to make the food products we eat healthier.
I work with scientists who are trying to understand genetic differences in crops, and how these change the plant. Seeds are tested under controlled environmental conditions in our laboratory and then planted at our research farm, which is where my job begins. I plant the seeds, grow the plants and collect data for the scientists to analyse, to determine how the test plants have performed in a real farm environment.
The scientists may want to see how a new variety of wheat grows in a drought, so I’ll plant test batches, grow them under different conditions and eventually harvest them. I make observations and collect data on things like the height, health and even protein content of the plants. All this information is used to improve the seeds that farmers will use in the future.
Every day is different. One week we’re drilling (planting the seeds), then we’re spraying or fertilising. I enjoy the practical farm work mixed with the data and science too. It’s exciting to think that what we do now could change farming in 10, 15 or even 20 years’ time.
I also love the people I work with, and the research is fascinating. We get to test ideas that could help deal with climate change, like warming the soil to see how plants cope, or using shelters to create drought so we can find tougher crops for the future.
Organisation and planning are key. I plan field work and timings for sprays and fertiliser, and I also need to be flexible when the weather changes. Problem solving is important too, because plans don’t always work first time. And you have to be good at communicating, I speak with scientists, our agronomist (an expert in soil management and crop production), my team and outside clients. Most of all, it’s important to have an interest in both the farming and the science, and a willingness to learn new things.
We’re a team of six and in the summer we bring in extra help. Because we’re small, everyone pitches in and learns lots of different tasks. We look out for each other in busy times like harvest and share the success when the trials go well. It feels good knowing the whole team helped a project succeed.
The combine harvester, which I drive when we are harvesting the trial crops. I work closely with the supplier to see how much live data we can get from it. Right now, we are looking at protein levels in wheat and oil content in oilseed rape as we cut, and we’re exploring whether the sensor can also read things like starch content. I love seeing the numbers appear as we harvest a plot, it makes the science feel real.
I spend a lot of time with animals. I have two horses, including my childhood pony who is now retired, and three lively spaniels who love long walks. When I can grab a spare few minutes, I go horse riding or walk the dogs. Where I live is about 20 minutes from the Norfolk coast, so I enjoy a walk along the beach. I also enjoy visiting my parents’ farm and helping out when I can.
I was named on a scientific paper by a researcher I supported. It was about how parts of a wheat head develop and why some flowers don’t fully form. Being recognised on a research paper felt amazing because it showed that my work and the data I had collected helped the science move forward. Seeing my name on a piece of scientific research was a proud moment for me.
Research takes a long time. Before a new idea even reaches our fields, it may have spent years in the laboratory being developed. After field trials, it can then go back to the lab for more tests. Eventually, we hope to develop new, more sustainable, healthier varieties which will be registered and used in farming.
Follow what you want to do, not what your friends are doing. I chose childcare because my friends did, then found myself turning back to farming because I love it. Don’t be afraid to stand alone and follow your passion - choose the thing you care about and go for it.
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