So I'm a well paid Ag researcher for a smaller mid major agriculture company. We've had some lean years, but continue to grow without much incentive pay. We have been pretty flat for 4-5 years on profitability.

I have been approached by another ag company that is much larger, but would still be considered a startup company that is in a rapid growth phase. The new company is a product of the Silicon Valley tech sector. The position would be a similar position in product development process, but with bigger budget and I would no longer be a one man show. I would also cover all crops and have multiple teams under me.

The position would almost double my pay without much major changes to travel and expectations.

My hesitation is working in the tech startup sector and losing the perceived stability of a legacy ag company.

Looking for advice.

Double the pay seems like no brainer.

bcasey03 said:

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Double the pay seems like no brainer.

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Lot of risk in the Ag startups. So many new technologies right now that a slug of new companies are trying to capitalize on and only so much room for survival. A ton of quick rise to the top and burning pile of embers in the industry right now.


fightingfarmer09,

I think we're in similar industry if you haven't noticed. My advice is look the the options you have and analyze if the "**** hit the fan" are you the guy another company would want to snap up quickly to accumulate your talent. My guess is that yes you are so that does provide some comfort in a potential bad turn. Passing up a 2x salary is tough but the fit and company's potential of success should be measured. I'm rather risk adverse so not sure I'm the best source of advice.


Two places that I wouldn't consider:
Pattern Ag
Indigo Ag

Don't know much about Pivot Bio but they fit your "Silicone Valley" description. Farmer reviews on their products are hit, miss, or "meh didn't see much".

We are talking about the big "startup" that has the vision of themselves as the "Amazon of agriculture".

I feel confident that I am upper level among my counterparts. I don't want to get complacent like many do in this industry. But man Ag is like the oil field without the money. It could all go away tomorrow.

Ok I know who now. I would certainly have less reservation about them than the ones I listed.

Let me know if you have a email I could reach you at. We likely have crossed paths or at least share mutual contacts.

EDIT: Removed email assuming you got it.

Got it.

Go for the new opportunity if it interests you. Sounds like the support and possibilities are much better at the other company. Don't be afraid to take a chance.

Ag is one of those weird industries where it seems like the more education you have, the less pay and job security you receive. I haven't paid attention to the sales/research side of ag for 5 years but I'd take the new job if the company is remotely stable. If you're making 2x, invest the difference and have a safety net if it all comes crashing to a stop in 2-3 years. You'd be able to find a support role in hours if you were let go, making a good wage loading planes, running ground rigs, etc. until another job came along.

It is weird. I've been through several mergers and restructures in my career and it's always the mid to upper research/support that gets gutted.

And the next job is always with a company that gutted their research/support and 18 months later was panicking because they screwed themselves.

I got the interviews set up. I think there are 4-5 virtual interview sessions now for this position. It's strange not to be invited to interview on site.

Yeah the virtual interviews are odd coming from Ag where meeting people and shaking hand is a big part of the job (even throughout Covid). I went through this recently.

First job had a round of virtual interview and then on-site with the same group. Got an offer but $ was too low. Knew this going into it but wanted to see if they could get close and make some connections.

Second job had a phone interview with hiring manager and then a single round of virtual interviews. Will be moving to this job soon and haven't met a single person yet beyond the virtual session.

Only positive was both jobs moved very fast and allowed team members to join in on short notice.

Tech companies usually pay significantly more and the difference in pay grows as you get promoted. This could be a life changing opportunity in terms of compensation.

There is definitely risk that the company won't achieve its ambition, and you will be laid off as well. But that doesn't preclude you from going back to a stable company.

After the first interview it is a little clearer on their mission. They are setting themselves up to be a rebrand/retread at discount prices.

As someone that has always been on the scientific development side that's not real appealing.

We will see what the compensation is, but this is a major obstacle to making a change. I would hate to interrupt the career path I've already developed. I have a PhD to avoid sales manager positions. It has motivated me to push for some role changes in my current position.

Good conversations here.

When you mention "the Amazon of ag" I get mixed feelings about that. I'm sure we all know growers that rely on their local Retailer (Nutrien, Wilbur, Helena, WinField or Simplot) for local knowledge and product support. But there are many growers that have the knowledge they need (for the most part) and don't need their local Retailer support. Those guys want the the Amazon approach. However, in my specific market, that select group of growers are behind the curve on technology and in my opinion, that select group are mostly generic users and are the ones that are more likely to not be around in the next few years.

https://www.agrellus.farm/#/

Is a great place to get past the "product knowledge" deal if you know exactly what you want.

Full disclosure we have used this service a few times and it has been useful so far.

Since my interview process is over and I was not selected (though I had decided to bow out but they saved me the trouble) I feel more comfortable discussing it. I was talking about FBN. It is a Google and venture capitalist backed startup gearing up for their IPO.

I realized in the process I have a strong future is technology development and less on sales strategy development. I didn't want to give up my research role in the long run.

Was a good interview process and they were very transparent, even providing constructive criticism that I agreed with.

That's who came to my mind.

They have made a name for themselves in central Texas over the years. The thing I say to sell against them is that if you as a grower want to by a product from them to save money, then go for it. If you have a problem with said purchase, just know that you local rep will not be able (or willing) to help you out. No help with identifying what happened and no help with opening the check book to give you $ back for a respray.

Also, I have been told by multiple growers that they were initially interested with buying their glyphosate, atrazine or other crop protection product from FBN, but once they added up the cost of freight, the savings wasn't all the great.

Yeah this is the stance of every chem company. There's zero support for product sourced via FBN.

Looks like FBN is trying to make a move into seed next. All I'll say is usually the cheapest seed ends up being your most expensive...

Sounds like you made the right decision for yourself fightingfarmer09.

AgResearch said:

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Yeah this is the stance of every chem company. There's zero support for product sourced via FBN.

Looks like FBN is trying to make a move into seed next. All I'll say is usually the cheapest seed ends up being your most expensive...

Sounds like you made the right decision for yourself fightingfarmer09.

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I actually think that there is a major opening for seed and chemical inputs to have a new approach. However, you have to leverage all of the data collected in a new way I think is being missed.

The secret is not being the cheapest seed, but the most properly placed. That's true if it's your genetics or placing others.

I will keep those ideas in my head or with my current employer and off public forums. After all, could be valuable one day.

Agreed.
But don't forget that 60-70% (I would assume…more then half at least) of all crop protection from basic manufactures (Corteva, FMC, Bayer etc) all go through distribution like Nutrien and Helena. If those basics got in bed with FBN, they'd piss off a bunch of people.

AgResearch said:

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bcasey03 said:

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Double the pay seems like no brainer.

---

Lot of risk in the Ag startups. So many new technologies right now that a slug of new companies are trying to capitalize on and only so much room for survival. A ton of quick rise to the top and burning pile of embers in the industry right now.


fightingfarmer09,

I think we're in similar industry if you haven't noticed. My advice is look the the options you have and analyze if the "**** hit the fan" are you the guy another company would want to snap up quickly to accumulate your talent. My guess is that yes you are so that does provide some comfort in a potential bad turn. Passing up a 2x salary is tough but the fit and company's potential of success should be measured. I'm rather risk adverse so not sure I'm the best source of advice.


Two places that I wouldn't consider:
Pattern Ag
Indigo Ag

Don't know much about Pivot Bio but they fit your "Silicone Valley" description. Farmer reviews on their products are hit, miss, or "meh didn't see much".

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That's damn good advice right there. I spent 14 years in the beef industry and left in '03 for the O&G space.

AGGIE WH08P said:

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Agreed.
But don't forget that 60-70% (I would assume…more then half at least) of all crop protection from basic manufactures (Corteva, FMC, Bayer etc) all go through distribution like Nutrien and Helena. If those basics got in bed with FBN, they'd piss off a bunch of people.

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Difference is Helena and Nutrien will always be on those farms because they have massive infrastructure in fertilizer supply chain. So you want them on your side if you want to be on a farm.

I think the model we will see in 15 years has not been imagined yet. It's not as simple as some other industries because of the regulations and customer expectations.

I agree that the next model isn't even thought of yet.

I think something will come from the supply shortages we're experiencing. There are retailers with excess of certain crop protection products that others would love to have and the 1st location will not use. Generally, the manufacturers have no idea where that product is until it's too late. Retailers and manufacturers miss out on potential sales due to this. There's a TON of improvement to be made in the supply chain and inventory tracking within Ag.

Winfield was excellent at inventory tracking 10 yrs ago and used this technique, inputs were initially shipped to the valley and surplus steadily made its way north. We were rarely out of chemical at the locations I worked at, and could usually get it within 24 hrs if we were out. I rarely missed a sale, but we had a lot of expenses tied up in freight. I left that side of ag 5 yrs ago but I've heard their entire logistics chain has changed to a more cost efficient approach and it isn't what it used to be.

Everyone shifted to on demand chemical inventory. Add to Winfield's list tons of small Coops in the last 10 years. Their biggest flaw is a lack of real infrastructure on fertilizer.

Helena, Nutrien, and Simplot have their own deep water ports and freight to go with various mining operations. That is the killer for many of these systems.

The Winfield Coops are buying fertilizer from APF/Nutrien/Helena for $20+/ton than the other suppliers are selling to the grower.

I say that as someone that worked for a Winfield Coop and loved working with them.

It's tricky in Ag and I appreciate the feedback in this thread. Best thing about my career is I have worked in the university system, transitioned to coop and distribution, and now I'm in product development for a primary supplier.

Anyone getting into ag needs to realize that all of these stops will teach you extremely valuable lessons that will improve your ability to work in the industry. Too many people go to work for Bayer right out of school and struggle understanding the entire ecosystem.

I had one guy tell me they wanted to be like Amazon, but they were neither fast or stocked with inventory. I'm sure it made sense to a cubicle dweller.

Completely agree about all the different stops, ag is one industry where paying your dues still seems to pay off much more compared to landing a rep job with the majors right out of college. Some of my favorite memories from early on were hauling fertilizer equipment for absolute turds of bosses, working 90-120 hour weeks with no end in sight. Miserable at the time but it gives you great perspective for your career when you start at the absolute bottom, sharing barbacoa tacos at 6 am with Mexican guys that speak zero English. All you can do is smile.