William H. Miner Agricultural Institute hosted a successful dairy challenge that drew 119 students from 12 northeast colleges and two Canadian universities to Plattsburgh, New York. The Oct. 31-Nov. 2 event marked the 11th annual Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge, an innovative, three-day educational competition designed to prepare students for careers in the dairy industry. Working in mixed-university teams of five students, contestants assessed aspects of a working dairy, including facilities, nutrition, financials, reproduction, animal health and more.
Students collaborated on a 20-minute team presentation that detailed their observations and suggestions to a panel of judges and participating farm families.
Teams were ranked as platinum, gold or silver based on how well their evaluations matched the judges’ assessment of the dairy operation.
The objective of the challenge is to create a real-life situation that stresses the importance of teamwork and professionalism.
“Not only does the Dairy Challenge teach technical knowledge,” says Chairman Brett Denny of Vermont DHIA, “it excels in helping students develop people skills.”
New York farms evaluated at the 2013 competition included Rusty Creek Farm, Chazy, New York; Rovers Farm, Chazy, New York; and Hidden View Farm, Champlain, New York. All teams also participated in educational workshops at the Miner Institute and attended an industry career fair. Team-building and fun activities were held throughout the weekend to encourage networking among students and dairy industry sponsors.
First-place teams, which were named after top sponsors of the Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge, included Shur-Gain USA Inc., which also was recognized with Don Rogers honors; Elanco Animal Health; and New England Jersey Breeders Association.
The 2014 Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge will be hosted by the Delaware Valley College in Pennsylvania. For more information about next year’s contest, email Bruce Richards of Delaware Valley College. To become a sponsor, email Jan Bitter of Farm Credit East or call (800) 392-3276. All contributions are tax deductible. PD
—From World Dairy Expo news release
PHOTOS
Top: Taylor Merry, left, of Alfred State College and Brigham Reese of Vermont Technical College review areas of Rovers Farm as part of the dairy challenge.
Bottom: A group of students asks questions to Lance Rovers, far right, of Rovers Farm in Chazy, New York.
