- Name: Michayla Davidson
- Job title: Field Product Specialist – West
- Company: Diamond V
What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I graduated in 2020 from Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo, with a bachelor's degree in dairy science and a minor in agribusiness. My time there gave me a strong foundation in both technical knowledge and practical application within the dairy industry.
Please describe your agricultural background.
Agriculture has always been foundational in my family, as my grandparents were walnut farmers in Lodi, California, and I grew up raising livestock for our county fair and for our freezer. Being active in 4-H and FFA further fueled my passion for agriculture. While at Cal Poly, I worked at the university dairy, where I gained hands-on experience milking, feeding calves and serving as a herdsperson.
What territory will you cover?
I’ll be covering the western U.S., essentially everything west of the Rockies. There will be a particular emphasis on California because of the opportunities here and my proximity to home.
What are your new responsibilities?
My role focuses on learning our expanded portfolio of products to support the sales team and our customers. As part of the field product specialist team, I’ll help support the company’s standard of excellence with our innovative technologies.
What previous positions have you held?
After college, I spent 4.5 years with Lallemand Animal Nutrition in various sales and service positions. Initially, I provided technical sales support, guiding producers through practical on-farm education and silage management as a field support specialist conducting silage and pen audits. Later, as a territory business manager, I worked throughout California and Arizona with forage teams to improve silage harvest and management practices.
Who has made the biggest impact on your career?
Dr. David Vagnoni, my dairy nutrition professor at Cal Poly, has been a significant influence. He oversaw my senior research project and always provided practical, holistic advice about navigating the dairy industry. During my senior year, he gave me a book called So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport. It shaped how I approach my career, and I recommend it to any new graduate or young professional.
How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
I plan to spend time with producers to understand how they’re using our technologies, identify gaps in performance or service and use that feedback to enhance our offerings. I’ll also work with internal teams to create training materials and improve our customer experience. Additionally, I’ll bring my forage expertise to the table, helping producers in the western U.S. better understand forage management and curate silage programs tailored to their needs.
Why did you choose this company?
This company has an outstanding reputation, and I’ve always admired the extra value and service they provide to their customers. This position feels like the perfect fit for my personality and skill set. It combines my love for being on-farm, solving problems and working with people to help them reach their potential. I get the best of both worlds in this role and feel like I am in the right seat on the right bus.
What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
My primary goal is to help producers in the western U.S. manage silage quality through best practices and technology. I also aim to help set up region-specific best practices, as silage management varies significantly across climates.
