UW-River Falls Team Takes Platinum Honor at Dairy Challenge

April 8, 2011--A team of University of Wisconsin-River Falls dairy science students succeeded in applying their skills at the tenth anniversary North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge in Hickory, N.C., a dairy consulting competition.

The UW-River Falls team earned the highest platinum award at the competition. Only four teams were given this distinction, the others being California State University-Fresno, Cornell University and The Penn State University.

Students from 30 U.S. and Canadian colleges participated in the event to analyze an operating dairy, look at farm data, make observations and meet farm owners. Teams then presented recommendations for nutrition, reproduction, milking procedures, animal health, housing and financial management to the herd owners and a panel of judges consisting of dairy producers, veterinarians and industry professionals.
 
UWRF team members include Alex Geiser, a senior dairy science major from Hilbert; Leonard Polzin, a senior agricultural business and dairy science major from Cadott; Paul Lippert, a senior dairy science major from Pittsville; and Anne Spillman, a senior dairy science major from Dennison, Minn.

The platinum team members were awarded $200 scholarships. The UWRF team is coached by faculty members Sylvia Kehoe, assistant professor of animal and food science and Dennis Cooper, professor of animal and food science.

Photo: Top row, L-R: Paul Lippert, Alex Geiser and Leonard Polzin. Seated, L-R: Anne Spillman, Dennis Cooper.