Darlene Duarte California and Arizona Territory Sales Manager Advanced Animal Diagnostics Visalia, California
What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I received a Bachelor of Science degree in agribusiness management – sales and marketing, with a concentration in dairy science from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.
Please describe your agricultural background.
My family owned and operated a dairy farm in central California, then moved the operation to Hawaii where they continued to farm until their retirement in 2007. Like many kids who grew up on a dairy, my responsibilities included everything from raising calves and feeding cows to keeping the books.
What territory will you cover?
California and Arizona.
What are your new responsibilities?
I am responsible for raising awareness of the QScout Farm Lab by working with dairy producers to implement rapid, on-farm diagnostic technology.
What previous positions have you held?
Prior to joining Advanced Animal Diagnostics (AAD), I was the territory sales representative for GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines in Fresno and Madera counties.
Who has made the biggest impact on your career?
By far, my parents have had the most impact on my career. There were many times they could have given up on the dairy business when milk prices were hopelessly low. Instead of complaining, they found a way to get through the hard times. Probably because of the fact that they are immigrants, they were unafraid to take a chance moving the dairy to Hawaii, leaving all of their friends and family behind for a second time in their married life. Any challenge that I ever face will pale in comparison to what my parents have accomplished in their lifetime.
How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
Having lived the majority of my life on a dairy farm, I know the challenges each producer faces firsthand, whether it is the financial pressures of constantly fluctuating milk prices, increasing feed prices or addressing difficult herd health issues that affect production. The impact of mastitis on a herd is often overlooked until it begins to affect the milk sent to the processor. I hope to increase awareness around the value of identifying affected cows as early as possible in order to reduce the impact on overall milk quality and, ultimately, the bottom line.
Why did you choose this company?
I chose to join AAD because of the opportunity to be a part of a company that is creating innovative, user-friendly technologies that will change the way producers manage milk production.
What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
My primary goal is to educate customers on the QScout Farm Lab and how it can streamline their mastitis treatment protocols, increase productivity and keep the dairy profitable for future generations. PD
