University of New Hampshire to Host 16th Annual Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge

More than 120 students from 13 colleges and universities across the northeast and Canada are expected to attend the 2018 Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge. The three-day event is a hands-on educational opportunity to prepare students for careers in the dairy industry.

WHAT: Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge

WHEN: November 8-10, 2018

WHERE: Most of the activities will be based out of the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT. Students will visit dairy operations in the region.

The Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge is designed to create an educational environment and facilitate a real-world dairy evaluation. To accomplish this, students are placed on mixed-university teams. The Dairy Challenge strives to incorporate a higher-learning atmosphere with practical application to help prepare students for a variety of careers in the dairy industry.

Attendees should note the change in schedule for this year’s event. The program will kick off on Thursday, November 8, 2018, with introductions and trainings for mentors and students. In the afternoon, students will be assigned to their competition teams and depart for analysis of the dairies. Students will develop a comprehensive program for their host farm including recommendations for nutrition, reproduction, milking procedures, animal health, housing and financial management and prepare presentations on Friday morning. Judging will begin on Friday afternoon and continue on Saturday morning. The event will conclude with a brief banquet and luncheon on Saturday afternoon.

On Friday night, there will be a Dairy Challenge Alumni Panel, titled “Where I am Now.” Former event participants will lead an educational and interactive conversation with the current students. This will focus on helping students prepare for their future careers and will provide an opportunity to network amongst themselves and with the panelists.

NAIDC is an innovative event for students in dairy programs at North American post-secondary institutions. Its mission is to develop tomorrow’s dairy leaders and enhance progress of the dairy industry by providing education, communication and networking among students, producers, and agribusiness and university personnel. Over its 16-year national history, Dairy Challenge has helped prepare more than 5,000 students for careers as farm owners and managers, consultants, researchers, veterinarians or other dairy professionals. The next national event will be March 28-30, 2019 in Tifton, GA.

For more information, visit www.dairychallenge.org or www.facebook.com/DairyChallenge.