Amy Duffield Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Technical Service Manager – Dairy Kemin Industries

Please describe your agricultural background.
Growing up in western Michigan, I worked on dairy farms. I loved working with the animals and quickly learned people in the dairy business are passionate about their work.

What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I received a bachelor of science degree in dairy science and a master of science degree in ruminant nutrition/animal science from Michigan State University. While at MSU, I studied under Dr. Roy Emery.

What are your new responsibilities?
My focus is to demonstrate how our PEARLS (rumen-protected amino acids) and forage treatment products can make the job easier and more efficient for nutritionists and producers.

What previous positions have you held?
I had my own consulting business, Duffield Dairy Consulting. I also have experience in technical sales with Gladwin A. Read Company, as an associate with Nittany Dairy Nutrition and an agricultural extension agent in Michigan and Maryland.

What excites you most about working in your new role?
Kemin is an innovative company which looks at problems from several angles – basic chemistry and applied animal science. In my role, I take these advanced products from start to finish. I also have the opportunity to help develop cutting-edge technology for nutritionists and producers.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
My role is to translate technical information into real-world, practical solutions on a dairy. I look forward to working with nutritionists to identify problems, review current scientific standards and apply these values to properly treat forages and target nutrient supplements in the diets.

Why did you choose this company?
Kemin has outstanding products. The company has its roots in mold inhibitors and forage treatments, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn Kemin contributes so much more for animal nutrition. The company has developed many products for dairy cattle, and I wanted to be part of the growth.

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
Milk components are extremely valuable right now, and producers need to ship as much protein as possible. I am here to help nutritionists and producers become successful with amino acid balancing and the growing, storing and feeding of high-quality forages.

The foundation of a healthy and productive cow is quality forages. Nutritious and digestible forages help the rumen function optimally, plus less expensive supplements are needed when high-protein, high-energy, mold-free and high-quality forages are fed.

Balancing amino acids is easy once you know how, and a dairy can feed rations which best meet the cows’ protein needs. Not only will a dairy save money by not overfeeding protein, but milk checks will reflect the improved nutrition. PD