Congratulations to the students from California Polytechnic State University, Cornell University, The Ohio State University and University of Wisconsin-Madison for being the highest placed teams in the ninth annual North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC). Each college team earned the highest award, First Place Platinum, during the Challenge which was held April 9-10, in the Visalia, Calif. area.
Hosted by Cal Poly and California State University-Fresno, NAIDC 2010 attracted teams from 30 universities located throughout the United States and Canada. Each team of four was challenged to put their textbook and practical knowledge to the ultimate test – analyzing dairies. The contest started with a walk-through at one of the four host dairies, followed by the opportunity to ask questions of the owners and analyze farm-specific data. Teams then used this information and their observations to develop management recommendations, and then presented their recommendations to the herd owners and a panel of five dairy industry judges.
Members of the First Place Platinum teams received $200 scholarships. This was the second consecutive year for teams from Ohio State and UW-Madison to earn the contest’s highest ranking.
Ohio State’s team, coached by Maurice Eastridge, consisted of Ryan Conklin, Annie Eilenfeld, Heather Moff and Amanda Paulhamus. Members of the UW-Madison team were Robb Bender, Lydia Hardie, Ashley Sprengeler and Melvin Zenner. They were coached by Dave Combs and Lizzy French. The Cal Poly team of Anthony Martin, Brian Medeiros, Katherine Rector and Michael Wesselink was coached by Stan Henderson. Cornell University team members were Brett Feldpausch, Breanna Fulper, Shane Reynolds and Chad Wall. Team coach was Michael Van Amburgh.
Scholarships of $100 were presented to members of the Second Place Platinum teams:
* University of Idaho: Carl Betts, Crystal Burke, Stewart Russell and Jackie Wuebben; Amin Ahmadzadeh, coach.
* South Dakota State University: Holly Bruns, Alex Ode, Samantha Wahls and Abigail Wirt; Arnold Hippen and Matt Laubach, coaches.
* University of Guelph: Steven Larmer, Martina Pfister, Caitlin Shirreff and Ryan Wynands; John Walton, coach.
* Penn State University: Janelle Hartzell, Amy Miller, Elizabeth Smith and Peter Yoder; Gabriella Varga, coach.
Gold Awards were presented to teams from Iowa State University, Mississippi State University, Purdue University, University of Minnesota, Virginia Tech, Delaware Valley College, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Alabama A&M University, University of Florida and University of Kentucky.
Silver Awards went to teams from California State University-Fresno, University of Vermont, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, North Carolina State University, University of Alberta, West Virginia University, Clemson University, Kansas State University, Louisiana State University, Michigan State University, University of Maine and Washington State University.