Daniel Knoll Southern Area Sales Manager Virtus Nutrition Moundridge, Kansas

What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I graduated in 1992 with a bachelor of science in animal science dairy production from Kansas State University. I also worked 22 years in the commercial feed business as a dairy specialist and many other sales and product management responsibilities.

Please describe your agricultural background.
I’ve been around production agriculture all my life. I was raised on a dairy farm in South Central Kansas. After completing my bachelor’s degree at KSU, I have worked in a variety of sales and product management roles in agriculture.

What territory will you cover?
I’m responsible for the southern region, which includes Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

What are your new responsibilities?
To educate dairy producers, nutritional suppliers and other industry partners in the dairy business about the value of omega fatty acid nutrition while promoting the products we have to offer.

What previous positions have you held?
I’ve worked as a feed sales representative at local and regional levels, sales management, operations management, product management and a species specialist for both dairy and beef products.

Who has made the biggest impact on your career?
There have been several people throughout my career who have given me great advice and guidance to be successful. However, the two people that have had the greatest impact on my life were my late father Don and mother Patsy Knoll. They were two of the hardest working people I have ever met and taught me by their example. They started everyday before sunup and they worked hard and wouldn’t quit for the day until everything that needed to be done was completed. They taught me great values and how to work hard, which I have used throughout my career.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
By being a leader in omega fatty acid nutrition and helping producers and nutritional suppliers understand the impact feeding the correct ration of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids can have on total profitability of the dairy. By feeding the correct omega-3 and omega-6 ratio in the diet, the benefits have been proved to be improved milk production — up to 10.8 pounds per cow per day — improved reproduction performance by quicker breed back and less early term abortions, and improved cow health by reducing ketosis, metritis and other early fresh cow diseases.

Why did you choose this company?
I decided Virtus was the place for me because their products have excellent research behind them to prove they work.

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
To reach as many producers as possible to educate them on omega fatty acid nutrition and help them increase profits on their operation. PD