Thanks for the gen chaps. I figured that a combination of one engine, low flying, and a cargo of toxic chemicals wasn't the best recipe for a long healthy flying life.
However I've got it under my skin now (unlike the chemicals I hope). What I figured though, was that it could be a way into firebombing/fighting and possibly flight test work/avionics development as most crop spraying is GPS based and I've 'logged' a few years as an IT contractor (only to pay for my comm, I hasten to add !).
This may seem a little churlish as I'm lucky enough be holding a right seat offer in small turbo props in SA already but I fancy something a bit different, hence the crop spraying interest. I love the idea of the rice seeding job. I'll have to add that to my list - and no chemicals !
Do you think some time in these more 'unusual areas' would work for or against me should I want to join an airline later ?