DCHA awards two $2,000 scholarships

Kathryn Rittmeyer, a junior studying animal science at Kansas State University, and Antonio Silva, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student at Texas A&M University, earned the Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (DCHA) $2,000 scholarships. The

DCHA scholarship program recognizes outstanding students pursuing a degree in agriculture, with a particular interest in calf health, welfare and future productivity.

A native of Markle, Ind., Rittmeyer interned with Rediger Farms, Inc., Geneva, Ind., last year. As the farm’s intern, she organized and created a systematic pen location inventory in DairyComp 305 for all calves, which improved farm data accuracy, and assisted the herd veterinarian during lung ultrasounds, which included marking pens, administering antibiotics, based on ultrasound scores, and recording results. Also, she collaborated with the calf and heifer specialist, which involved monitoring feed and water quality, and milk solids percentages, and performed navel health checks on young calves. This summer, she will intern with MVP Dairy, LLC, Celina, Ohio. Her duties will include milking parlor operations, dairy nutrition management, maternity pen work and animal welfare audits.

Silva earned his bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University. His work experience includes an internship at Mendes

Calf Ranch in Tipton and Pixley, Calif., working as a Texas Equine Hospital veterinary technician, in Bryan, Texas, and herdsman at A.B. Ranch, Stephenville, Texas. As the Mendes Calf Ranch intern, he designed product trials, applied products, collected and analyzed data, assisted herdsmen with treatments, sorting, receiving, shipping and daily husbandry tasks, processed cattle for vaccination, identification, hormone implantation and treatment, and assisted veterinarians with liver biopsies, pregnancy diagnosis and breeding soundness exams.

The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (www.calfandheifer.org) was founded in 1996 based on the mission to help dairy producers, calf managers and those professionally focused on the growth and management of dairy calves and heifers. With a national membership of producers, allied industries and research leaders, DCHA seeks to provide the industry’s standards for profitability, performance and leadership, serving as a catalyst to help members improve the vitality and viability of their individual efforts and that of their business.