With a background in practical crop growing and a family heritage of livestock farming, AF’s Amy Russell knows how important it is to have the right information available to aid your on-farm decision-making. That’s why she’s relishing the opportunity to work closely with Members in her role as Senior Crop Protection Specialist.
“My mother’s side of the family were livestock farmers, so I spent weekends and holidays helping out with the sheep and cattle. But the arable side of things was where I wanted to make my career. I studied agriculture at Scottish Rural University College, where a lecturer with a serious passion for agronomy steered me in that direction.”
“I worked as a trials’ assistant for Scottish Agronomy, witnessing all that goes into variety and chemical trials. Next, I made the move to Norfolk working for an organic vegetable production company.
“I was responsible for analysing how carrots, potatoes, parsnips and leeks were growing on farms in Norfolk, Shropshire and North Scotland. And feeding that information back to the packing factory to plan what would be lifted each week for enough to supply them consistently throughout the season.
“I needed to push myself a bit further so joined TIMAC Agro UK. During my two years with them, I got out and about meeting lots of farmers around the region, seeing what they were doing on farm.”
“As AF Senior Crop Protection Specialist, every day is different. But the aim is always the same: make sure we get the best value for Members.
"I speak with Members to discuss orders and recommendations from their agronomists. Or if they call for a specific product, to make sure they’re aware of other options including generics.
“I check in with Members, understand if they’ve got everything drilled yet, what's going on in their day-to-day farming. It might not be relevant to what they're ordering right then, but it means Members know I‘m listening to what they are doing and planning and helps make decisions further down the line.
“I talk daily with suppliers about stock levels and availability. Pricing is a key part of those conversations as well."
"For example, at the moment glyphosate prices are increasing. Some suppliers have already increased, for others we know when they will so we’re working hard to get orders in. Being proactive on the Member's behalf is key.”
“When field work soon quietens down for many, we’ll proactively speak with Members to see what they think their requirements will be, or work out what you will need based on your hectarage of planted crops. And then we’ll accurately forecast with suppliers which and how much of each input we'll need to make sure it's available."
“At home, we've got a small flock of sheep - some Suffolk mules and some pedigree Valais Blacknose. And I'm now realising what my grandpa told me years ago - it doesn't matter if you've got 20 or 200 sheep, it still takes the same amount of time.
“We’ve got two horses as well – an ex-racer and a rescue Welsh Section C. But I wouldn't have it any other way, I’d much rather be outside and doing things.”
Amy Russell, Senior Crop Protection Specialist
