What does reproduction, nutrition, facilities, cow comfort, production records, and financial analysis have in common? They are all areas which members of the Dairy Challenge team evaluate to make recommendations to producers and farm owners.
This past weekend I had the honor of participating with three other K-State undergrads at the National Dairy Challenge Contest which was held in Madison, Wisconsin. The contest is centered around the academic classes participants have taken to prepare themselves to work in the industry. The contest consists of a day of evaluating records, visiting the farm, producer interviews, and presentation development in relation to a dairy farm. During the evaluations, farm visit, and interviews each team is looking for areas which the producer can be more successful as well as areas where they are currently succeeding. Based on their observations, the team spends the afternoon preparing a presentation of recommendations which are based on sound data and observations. The following day, each team presents their recommendations to a panel of professions who also have evaluated the farm. Each team is ranked based on the accuracy of their recommendations and presentation skills.
K-State's team consisted of Michelle Sullivan, D.J. Rezak, Billy Brown, and myself and was coached by Dr. Mike Brouk. In K-State's first year being represented at the contest, we received a Platinum rating and placed second!!
Taking part in this contest has prepared me for the industry as I now can evaluate records more efficiently, develop effective questions, and present logical, useful recommendations.
This is just one of several competition team opportunities available in the College of Agriculture. Many departments in the college have a competition team in correlation to their area of study; a large portion of these teams are national recognizable.
Go Cats!!! -Kristen Schulte-
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