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(L to
R) - Josh Bergstrom, Kara Pietroski, Matt Rolleston and Stephanie Beamish
Twin Falls, ID, April 1, 2006 – The students
from the University of Maine won a silver placing at the Fifth Annual North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge held
March 31 and April 1, 2006 in Twin Falls, ID. The University of Idaho hosted the
contest, with 26 teams from the United States and 1 team from Canada
competing.
The team of seniors from the University of
Maine Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences consisted of Josh
Bergstrom of Orono, Matt Rolleston of Sebec, Kara Pietroski of Thomaston,
Stephanie Beamish of Berwick, Associate Professor
and Extension Dairy Specialist Dr. David Marcinkowski coached the team.
The Dairy
Challenge is a new intercollegiate dairy competition that tests the
practical knowledge and management skills of the students. On Day 1, the
team received a packet of animal, farm and financial records from an actual
dairy farm. They then visited the farm and had the opportunity to ask
questions of the farm operator. Based on their observations they developed
a 20 minute presentation which discusses the strengths and weakness of the
operation. On Day 2, their presentation was delivered to a panel of dairy
specialists and veterinarians. In their presentation they must
consider all aspects of the farm’s management, including milk production,
nutrition, reproduction, genetics, herd health, youngstock, crops,
buildings, finances, waste management and labor efficiencies. They were
evaluated on their knowledge, thoroughness of their recommendations, team
work, and presentation skills.
While in
Idaho the team had the opportunity to tour several large dairy farms
including one that milked more than 35,000 cows, a calf ranch that fed more
than 25,000 calves and a large cheese plant.
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