On the second day, students visited one of three farms—Tauchen Harmony Valley Inc. of Bonduel, Diederich Farm LLC of Hobart, or Libertyland Farms of Valders. Accompanied by industry mentors, students assessed different aspects of each dairy farm, including calf care, parlor management, transition pens, and feed management. They also conducted interviews with the producers to gain insights into farm management practices and goals. In the afternoon, students used the data collected during the farm visits and interviews to develop their presentations. Following the submission of their presentation, they, along with sponsors and volunteers, enjoyed tours, tailgate games, and dinner at Lambeau Field.
The final day of the contest saw judge panels evaluating each team’s 20-minute presentations, which highlighted the strengths and areas of improvement for their respective farm. Additionally, there were educational sessions, including a Dairy Challenge alumni panel. Students networked with alumni and sponsors throughout the day. The event concluded with the presentation of student awards, marking the end of the successful 2024 Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge.
The judges awarded the following teams with the first and second place ranking on each farm among the 24 total teams participating.
Room A – Libertyland Dairy
First Place: Team Number 4; (Front L-R) Nathan Abel-Lakeshore Technical College, Rachel
Rynda-University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Benjamin Styer-University of Minnestota (Back L-R) Aly Dieball-University of Wisconsin-Plateville, Morgan Winebold-College of the Ozarks, Emily
Jandrin-Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Second Place: Team Number 1; (Front L-R) Joe Schuh-University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Adam King-College of the Ozarks, (Back L-R) Abby Whitsel-The Ohio State University, Maya
Bicksler-Lakeshore Technical College, Jiamao Yang-Kansas State University
Room B – Tauchen Harmony Valley Inc
First Place: Team Number 11; (Front L-R) William De Boer-Kansas State University, Aspen Hagen-Northcentral Technical College (Back L-R) Brittany Ladd-College of the Ozarks, Danielle Rummel-Michigan State University, Bethany Magdanz-Fox Valley Technical College
Second Place: Team Number 7; (Front L-R) Brea Kieffer-University of Wisconin-River Falls, Katrina Tucker-Kansas State University (Back L-R) Delana Erbsen-Iowa State University, Aubrey
Arneson-Northcentral Technical College, Nicole Broege-Univeristy of Wisconsin-Madison
Room C -Tauchen Harmony Valley Inc.
First Place: Team Number 13; (Front L-R) Molly Cordonnier-The Ohio State University, Molly
Tanis-Dordt University (Back L-R) Sydney Napolillo-Kansas State University, Erik Walters-Lakeshore Technical College, Brianna Wanek-University of Wisconsin-Madison
Second Place: Team Number 15; (Front L-R) Adalee Thelen-Michigan State University, Libby Hasheider-University of Wisconsin-River Falls (Back L-R) Sierra Stahnke-Northcentral Technical College, Ava Jarvais-Fox Valley Technical College
Room D – Diederich Farm LLC
First Place: Team Number 22; (Front L-R) Lexi Eisele-Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Cassidee Widmann-Northcentral Technical College (Back L-R) Garrett Hastings-The Ohio State Unviersity, Audrey Piel-University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Noah Randall-South Dakota State University
Second Place: Team Number 20; (Front L-R) Elijah Jones-University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Cade Ziegler-Purdue University (Back L-R) Aleena Wood-College of the Ozarks, Sydney Schroeder-Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
The Midwest event is one of four regional contests sponsored each year by North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge® (NAIDC). These regional contests – plus a national event for about 250 dairy collegiates – are funded through generous support by 130 agribusinesses and dairy producers. Dairy Challenge has helped prepare over 10,000 students for careers as dairy owners or managers, consultants, researchers, veterinarians or other dairy professionals.
About Dairy Challenge
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 the progress of the dairy industry, by providing education, communication and networking among students, dairy producers, agribusiness and university personnel. The 2024 National Dairy Challenge contest will be held in Visalia, California. from April 4th to April 6; details are at www.dairychallenge.org.
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