Christopher Leach Sales Territory Manager Advanced Animal Diagnostics Plainview, Texas
What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science with a concentration in CAFO operations from West Texas A&M University. I was very involved in the Beef Carcass Research Center there. I am still very active with alumni organizations. When time allows, I assist with a few of the upper level and graduate classes.
Please describe your agricultural background.
I was raised on a diversified row crop and livestock operation in the Texas Panhandle, and I operate a smaller farm and beef operation in my hometown. I ran a custom farming operation and worked several ag-related jobs through college, gaining experience through feed and antibiotic trials, and beef carcass research. I eventually gained an interest in dairy management while working for Dairy Fountain Dairy in Edmonson, Texas, a closed herd milking nearly 6,000 head per day. I’m thrilled to apply all of my experiences to this new position with Advanced Animal Diagnostics (AAD).
What territory will you cover?
I will be covering Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas for this position.
What are your new responsibilities?
As a sales territory manager, my primary responsibility will be to help producers learn how to integrate the company’s on-farm diagnostic technologies. I’ll be working with dairy producers to help them understand the benefits of diagnosing subclinical mastitis early, including improved milk production, milk quality and reproductive performance.
What previous positions have you held?
I most recently served as a territory manager at B-H Genetics for four years, covering the Great Plains area. Prior to B-H Genetics, I was the farm manager at Dairy Fountain Dairy. In addition, I was a member of the production and engineering group for the beef enterprise unit of Cargill Animal Nutrition based in Amarillo, Texas. Finally, I served as a harvest crew leader at the Beef Carcass Research Center and as feed mill manager and equipment renovation manager for the West Texas Feedlot Research Group.
Who has made the biggest impact on your career?
For starters, my family gave me a passion for production agriculture. Second is Dr. Ty Lawrence of West Texas A&M University, whose energy and passion for animal agriculture has greatly influenced me. Finally, Dr. Mike Brown, a ruminant nutritionist, helped shape the way I view research and its value to a producer.
How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
I am looking forward to showing producers the value of on-farm diagnostics. After spending much of my career in research, it is great to begin working for a company that is bringing new technology to the producer.
Why did you choose this company?
I am truly fascinated by new technology that is placed “on-farm.” It is an exciting time in agriculture as technology begins to merge with science to economically solve production problems on the operation. This is an opportunity to work for a company at the forefront of this new field of technology.
What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
My goal is to help producers understand how to incorporate the company’s on-farm diagnostic tools into their operation, so that they can improve profitability and become even better managers. PD
