rize that information, develop a presentation with recommendations and then present that information to a panel of judges and the host family, says Jen Gisler, 2012 Western Regional Dairy Challenge Chair. Participating universities at this year’s competition included: the University of Al- berta (Canada), California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, California State University Fresno, Utah State, Washington State University, Texas A&M University and the University of Idaho. The host farm for this year’s Western Regional Dairy Challenge was Double Oak Dairy a 1,400-cow operation in Visalia, Calif. Double Oak Dairy is owned Vivian VanderPoel and managed by her son, Brad VanderPoel. Judges for this year’s competition were: Dr. Gene Boomer, Arm & Hammer; Dr. Michael DeGroot with DeGroot Dairy Con- sulting; Bill Genasci, All West/Select Sires; Jonathan Kennedy, Farm Credit West; Chad Wright, DVM with Animal Health Interna- tional; and Bill Berczynski, Western Milling. Judges at this year’s competition agree that the dairy challenge is one of the best development tools for dairy science students to see and evaluate dairies and then be judged by recognized experts in the industry. Students from the regional contest will go on to compete at the national contest which will be held March 29-31st, 2012 in Roanoke, VA. This will be the 11th anniver- sary of the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge and it will be hosted by North Carolina State University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. RUBES ® by Leigh Rubin Feed the bugs. Fill the tanks . TM Decades of research and hundreds of trials* clearly show Diamond V Original XPC is scientifically proven to deliver results –“Feed the Bugs, Fill the Tanks.” – TM Microbial ferMentation... My secret for great Milk production! The nutritional metabolites contained in Original XPC foster rumen microbial performance. When rumen microbial populations thrive, feedstuffs are more effectively converted to individual nutrients. This improved digestibility means more available nutrients for milk, milk components and cow health. For performance and reliability you can count on, choose Original XPC year-round. Available in two additional concentrations. consis consisTenTly More Milk! *scan for available data at our website ©2012 Diamond V Mills, inc. All rights reserved. Diamond V® is a registered trademark and original XPc™ is a trademark of Diamond V Mills, inc. For more information call 800-373-7234. Subscribe to our e-newsletter Nutrition Line at diamondv.com www.dairybusiness.com April 2012 WESTERNDAIRYBUSINESS 15