For June’s NEAFA Member Profile, NEAFA spoke with Matt Saville, the National Strategic Account Manager for Selko USA, formerly known as Micronutrients. “We manufacture hydroxy trace minerals, as well as other feed additives” said Saville, a Cornell University graduate.
Selko, a Nutreco company, offers specialty feed additives to optimize animal performance. “Additionally, they are the inventor of the first ever-hydroxy trace mineral for animals and their company reach currently spans across 56 countries” said Saville. Their trace minerals (copper, zinc, manganese hydroxy chloride) which are essential nutrients for animal health, longevity, reproduction, and performance are one of the only sources made in the USA.
Saville has been with Selko for 7 years, but was no stranger to agriculture before that. “I grew up in Hudson Falls, NY, on my aunt and uncle’s 90 cow farm,” said Saville. “I currently live in Orwell, Vt. At Cornell, I majored in Ag Business, Economics and Animal Science. I always loved the feeding and nutrition aspect of a dairy farm growing up. When I was a kid, I loved to be involved in the feeding of the cows, and had a curiosity for understanding why we fed the different components of the cows ration. I’ve always had that interest in feeding cows and nutrition, and always loved the business side of things too. Before joining Selko, I was a on farm dairy nutrition consultant for fifteen years.
Selko’s relationship with NEAFA is long term. “We’ve been a member of NEAFA as far back as I can remember,” said Saville. “I like how NEAFA brings current issues and topics to the forefront of the agricultural community. Not just dairy, but the whole agricultural community. They’re engaged with lobbying for the betterment of the industry at large. They also really keep the industry and farms abreast of the challenges and changes that we’re facing in agriculture. I love how many farms in the Northeast are eager to adopt technology. They’re forward thinking and willing to be progressive.”
Looking to the future of agriculture in the Northeast, Saville is excited for the next generation. “We’re doing a great job of transferring farms from one generation to the next,” said Saville. “This next generation is eager to use new technologies and systems that are going to make their dairy farms sustainable for the future. That’s really encouraging to see. I’m also really encouraged by the fact that milk companies are willing to invest money into building infrastructure in New York and New England. That says a lot for the northeastern milk market; they know that the industry will be here for the long haul. We’ve got the water, land, people, and resources here in the northeast, which is a great recipe to be here for the long run.”
For more information on Selko and their products, find them on the web at www.selko.com/en-us