COLUMBUS, Ohio – Every growing season is a little different and every farming operation is a little different. What works on one farm in a given area may not work on an adjacent farm. Farmers realize this but oftentimes gamble at the decision of what nutrients to apply to their land for which type of seeds will work best in their soils.

One professional that is able to help with such these decisions and others is the certified crop adviser, or CCA.

“We definitely are in the need of more certified crop advisers,” said Janice Welsheimer, executive director for the Ohio Certified Crop Advisor Program. “Certified crop advisers are very important.

“Farming continues to see many changes in technology, from precision agriculture to new seed genetics to new ways to manage soil and nutrient levels, and at times it’s hard to keep up. That’s where a certified crop adviser comes in. The certified crop adviser has training in and understands the new and emerging technologies that farmers can use to get top yields. It’s almost impossible to keep up with all the changes going on in agriculture.”

The need for certified crop advisers is so great that Ohio State University Extension will be offering an Ohio Certified Crop Adviser Pre-Exam Preparation Class on Jan. 10-11. at the Shelby County Ag Building at 810-820 Fair Road in Sidney, Ohio.

The cost for this two-day class is $20 per person, which includes lunch both days as well as five publications: Ohio Agronomy Guide; Ohio, Indiana & Illinois Weed Control Guide; The Ohio Corn, Soybean, Wheat and Forages Field Guide: Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations: and Modern Corn & Soybean Production.

The class will provide an overview of the CCA program, and help one prepare for the test by covering basic principles in the four competence areas – nutrient management, soil and water management, pest management and crop management.

“Even if you are not considering the CCA program, this class is a great basic agronomy course that any farmer, ag retailer, or anyone working with field crops will find valuable,” says Lee Beers, crop adviser and OSU Extension Educator from Trumbull County.

For more information, contact Beers at 330-638-6783 or beers.66@osu.edu.

Crop advisers can help with soil fertility, pest management, weed management, seed selection and be up to date with all the technological advances. They can also advise on post-harvest and storage management. They’re experts in identifying diseases, pests and problem weeds, and provide pesticide or cultural solutions to these problems.

A certified crop adviser also needs to understand the best ways to utilize water more efficiently to help crops grow.

Tasks performed by certified crop advisers include giving presentations or organizing demonstrations, collecting and analyzing information, implementing pest and disease control measures, devising better ways of raising livestock, advising more efficient methods for growing crops, writing reports and keeping up with changes to relevant legislation.

“The certified crop adviser participates in ongoing education to keep up with new information and technologies as they become available,” Welsheimer said.

According to Welsheimer, a certified crop adviser is knowledgeable in field and crop management, spring and fall soil bed management, and seeding and fertility management.

“To get the best yield you need to get the most from your soil and getting the most yield from your soil can be a real challenge,” she said. “A certified crop adviser is up to date on all the soil types, their characteristics and limitations. A certified crop adviser takes these differences into account.

“Becoming a certified crop adviser is a lengthy process because you need course work and you need to be practicing in the industry. It’s important that candidates are in an advising capacity. Just about anyone can do this and there is a process for them to go through, including testing. There’s course work to be completed over time.”

Welsheimer said farmers who are already seed salesmen make ideal certified crop advisers, as do agronomists who work for soil companies.

According to Welsheimer, the process is simple and begins by passing two required comprehensive exams. The first exam is an International Exam, or standardized general exam. The second is a Local Board Exam, based on the geographic location that the candidate lives or works in.

Candidates for crop advisers must have at least two years of experience with at least a Bachelor of Science in an agronomy related field and at least three years of experience with an Associate’s Degree in an agronomy related field or four years of experience with no degree. Candidates must also have documentation showing proof of education and crop advising experience, including transcripts.