Meet the Forage Specialist: An Interview with Beckie Blakemore
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Tell us a little bit about the part of the country where you work?
I am based in Malton, North Yorkshire and cover all of Northern England & Scotland. Basically, from the Humber Bridge/M62 and upwards. In my area, the majority of the maize is grown across the south, then extends up the west coast to Penrith and Carlisle. My territory also includes large grassland and grazing areas.
Do you have a connection to agriculture outside of Corteva?
While I don’t come from a farming background, I’ve always enjoyed a country lifestyle. I can’t imagine having a career in any other industry than Agriculture. I love being on farm and being around livestock - especially cattle. As a forage specialist, my priority is to help farmers produce quality, home grown forage, which I believe is the best way to feed cattle to optimise their production. When I joined Corteva three and a half years ago I very quickly developed a passion for maize. It’s such a nutritionally valuable crop and I find it so interesting to follow its journey from drilling, growth to harvest, ensiling and finally feeding out.
Can you describe your journey to becoming a Forage Specialist at Corteva?
Initially I did my undergrad in Zoology, followed by a master’s in Animal Nutrition, both at the University of Nottingham. Whilst studying I was always most interested in Ruminant Nutrition and for my dissertation I chose to study the undigestible Natural Detergent Fibre (uNDF) in grass and the effect on milk yield in an organic dairy grazing rotation. Once I graduated, I worked for a few years as a Ruminant Sales Specialist for a family feed company and was looking to pursue a career as a Ruminant Nutritionist. Then the Forage Specialist role became available at Corteva. Admittedly it was a different career direction than I had originally planned, but I was very much interested in being involved with ruminant nutrition at the forage level so grasped the opportunity. And I haven’t been disappointed; it has turned out to be the ideal role for me.
What has been the most interesting project you’ve worked on at Corteva?
For me, the most interesting part of my role is Pioneer’s M3 Maize Dent Genetics and the nutritional benefits of feeding M3 Dent maize silage. Pioneer currently have the only early maturing M3 Dent variety in the UK – P7304. With more M3 Dent varieties currently in the pipeline it is increasingly becoming a more important part of my work. Due to its structure the starch in M3 Dent variety of maize is much more readily available to the rumen microbes, giving this variety many nutritional advantages. It is very rewarding when farmers embrace this concept and are able to utilise P7034 to improve milk/beef production.
How do you keep up to date with the latest advancements and trends in agriculture?
Key resources for me are Farmers Weekly, British Dairying, Corteva Updates and AHDB webinars. Most importantly talking to people in the industry - particularly the people who are implementing them.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a Forage Specialist in the agricultural industry?
For anyone with a background in Agronomy or Nutrition (or both!) and enjoys spending most of their time out in the field, demonstrating products to customers, running trials and product testing, this would be a great role. No one day is the same - expect to be travelling around your area to meet agronomists, reps, contractors, and farmers, writing technical updates and giving briefings - these are just a few aspects of the role. The key to success is having an in depth knowledge and understanding of the forage portfolio, maintaining strong working relationships across a spectrum of customers and a keen interest in forage crops.
Why would you recommend Corteva as a great place to work?
Without any hesitation because of the people I work with. To me the most important part of my working life is the people I have around me, and at Corteva they are second to none. The support I have received over the last four years has been fundamental to being successful in my role. Being part of such a great team is very rewarding.
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Northern England & Scotland