AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING OR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING? WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

I've spent a great deal of time thinking on what I might do for a career some day. I'd like to make decent money, work in an agricultural environment, have job stability, work in various countries, and live in a rural environment. All of these desires have led me to agricultural engineering. A friend of mine recently asked me why agricultural engineering as oppose to his chosen career, mechanical engineering? I know that agricultural engineering is focused on what is happening in agriculture today and that mechanical engineering focuses on the basics of engineering. I wasn't sure of this though. One of the schools I am interested in attending is University of Nebraska, so I asked my Dad if he could send Dr.Mark Riley, Professor and Department Head of the Biological Systems Engineering program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln an email asking him the question why chose agricultural engineering over mechanical engineering?  

Do employers differentiate between agriculture engineering and mechanical engineer?

Dr. Riley responded: Yes they do. The large machinery companies (Deere, Case-IH, etc.) generally prefer an AGEN over a MECH as they are perceived to have greater hands on experience than the typical MECH. MECH's generally have a broader employment base (they are one of the largest engineering employment sectors), but the AGEN's are hired by a broad and stable set of industries that also include food, environment, and bioprocessing. There is a presumption about AGEN's being better able to solve hands on problems, for understanding the application of their work into the field, and for a broader base of experience.

Why would a student pursue agriculture engineering over mechanical engineering?

Dr. Riley responded: If a student is most interested in a certain industry sector, it is most beneficial to gain experience in that sector. At UNL we have a range of experiences in place for our AGEN students in the ag machinery area and in irrigation / water resources that is far beyond that of our peers. For example, we are the home of the NE Tractor Test Lab which evaluates all of the new models of tractors that are to be sold in the US. They employ a large number of our students who then get to work on these newest models, get to work with the engineers from the firms, and gain experience they could not get elsewhere. There is no lack of jobs or internships for our students who work at the NTTL.  

Could a mechanical engineer work as an agriculture engineer?

Dr. Riley responded: Yes and it works the other way also. The NTTL does employ a few MECH's but they very often end up switching over to AGEN due to the stronger connection with that industry. So there you have it. Thank you Dr. Riley for helping me and others better understand the difference between agriculture engineering and mechanical engineering. For anyone who might be considering a career in agricultural engineering, you should consider the program at University of Nebraska. Do you plan on pursing a career in agriculture of engineering? I'd like to know what you are thinking!