Western
Regional Dairy Challenge deemed a success
More
than 40 students from five different universities put their dairy knowledge to
the test.
Newman,
Calif. --
More than 40 students from four western universities and one Canadian university
competed in the fifth annual Western Regional Dairy Challenge, March 4-6, 2010
in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Hosted
by the University of Idaho-Twin Falls, the Western Regional Dairy Challenge is
an innovative management analysis competition developed by industry and
university professionals from across the U.S.
The
Dairy Challenge bridges the gap between books, lectures and the real world, says
Tami Tollenaar, 2010 Western Regional Dairy Challenge Chair.
A
key objective of the dairy challenge is to present students with a real-life
situation that stresses the importance of teamwork and professionalism.
Students
from the different universities are partnered in teams of four or five. Each
team conducts a comprehensive evaluation of a working dairy farm; evaluating
everything from cow comfort and herd health to reproduction and finances looking
for opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability. After the
evaluation each team presents their analysis and prioritized opportunities for
improvement to a panel of expert judges and dairy owners.
Participating
universities at this year’s competition included: the University of Alberta
(Canada), University of Idaho, Washington State University, California
Polytechnic State University, and the California State University at Fresno.
The
host farm for this year’s Western Regional Dairy Challenge was White Clover
Dairy a 2,800-cow operation in Jerome, Idaho. White Clover Dairy is owned and
operated by the Roth Family.
Receiving
Platinum awards were:
Nicole
Hurt, University of Alberta; Carl Betts, University of Idaho; Jennifer
Trice,Washington State University; Robert Thommen, California Polytechnic State
University; Brian Waymire, California Polytechnic State University;
Brian
Medeiros, California Polytechnic State University; Jennifer Spencer, University
of Idaho; Stewart Russell, University of Idaho; and Alex DeJager, California
State University-Fresno.
Receiving
Gold awards were:
Amanda
McIntosh, University of Idaho; Micah Kuiper, California Polytechnic State
University; Jennifer Onken, Washington State University; Jesse Ruvalcaba,
California Polytechnic State University;
Jared
Carmo, California Polytechnic State University; Crystal Burke, University of
Idaho; Erin Fosler, Washington State University; Jami Lady, California State
University-Fresno; Michael Stewart, California Polytechnic State University;
Andy
Gray, Washington State University; Anthony Martin, California Polytechnic State
University; Tyler Reynolds, University of Idaho; Meagan Kelm, University of
Alberta; and Jackie Wuebben University of Idaho.
Receiving
Silver awards were:
Wendy
Hudson, University of Alberta; Chloe Dixon, Washington State University; Jeff
Blickenstaff, University of Idaho; Megan Bettencourt, California State
University-Fresno; Brian Schoch. Washington State University;
Torry
Shepherd, Washington State University; Alexia Hoy, University of Alberta;
Katherine Rector, California Polytechnic State University; Justin Nickerson,
California State University-Fresno; Elizabeth Russell, University of Idaho;
Kelsey
Blagg, California Polytechnic State University; Marissa Weleschuk, University of
Alberta; Edward DeJager, California State University-Fresno; Ann Marie Stickney,
Washington State University; Jeanene Russo, University of Idaho;
Michael
Wesselink, California Polytechnic State University; Daric Ameye, California
State University-Fresno; Carolyn Parsons, Washington State University; and
Stephanie Dehner, California Polytechnic State University.
The
North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge will take place April 8-10,
2010 in Visalia, Calif.,
and will be hosted by Cal Poly and the California State University-Fresno.
About
Dairy Challenge
The
Dairy Challenge is an innovative management analysis competition developed in
2002 by industry and university professionals from across the U.S. It strives to
incorporate a higher-learning atmosphere with practical application, in turn
generating highly qualified graduates to lead and further improve the dairy
industry.
To
date, more than 1,500 students have enhanced their dairy management,
communication and business skills through the Dairy Challenge program.
Financial
support for the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC) comes
from generous contributions from dairy industry companies, association and
foundations, and dairy business owners. NAIDC is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit,
tax-exempt organization. Contributions to Dairy Challenge are tax deductible to
the full extent of the law. For more information on sponsorship support, visit www.dairychallenge.org
or contact Executive Director Molly Kelley at (217) 684-3007 or email: naidcmjk@aol.com.
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