Eleven colleges from southern states participated in the second annual southern regional Dairy Challenge in Baton Rouge, La. on Nov. 15-17. This three-day event included students assessing all aspects of a working dairy farm and then presenting recommendations for improvements to a panel of judges the participating farm families.
Louisiana State University (LSU) staff and students hosted coaches and students from Berry College, University of Kentucky, Alabama A&M University, Louisiana State University, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State University (NCSU), Clemson University, Oklahoma State University, University of Florida, Southern University A&M, and Louisiana Tech University.
Team rankings were:
1st Place Platinum – Team 8, Cargill Inc: Amy Czaja, Oklahoma State University; Stephanie Graham, Berry College; Justin Hardin, North Carolina State University-Raleigh; Melanie Reed, Louisiana State University; Aaron Horst, Virginia Tech; and Phil Lawrence, University of Florida. 2nd Place Platinum – Team 7, Select Sires: Edwin Noland, Louisiana State University; Stephanie Quarles, Clemson University; Mindy Kile, Louisiana Tech University; Jason Stuth, Virginia Tech; Catalina Echeverri, University of Florida; and Jamie Victorian, Southern University.
Gold (in random order) – Team 6, Dairy Records Management Systems: Matricia Horton, Alabama A&M University; Jacob Pieper, Virginia Tech; Kyle Johnson, University of Florida; Ryan Sloop, North Carolina State University-Raleigh; and Maggie Boykin, Louisiana Tech University. Team 1, Genex CRI: Curtis Coombs, University of Kentucky; Amanda Wright, Oklahoma State University; Karryne Humphry, Southern University; Brandi Roebuck, Alabama A&M University; Ben Clark, Louisiana State University; and Katie Jackson, North Carolina State University-Raleigh. Team 3, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers: Valerie Eubanks, Clemson University; Felton Deroun, Southern University; Patrick Dooley, Alabama A&M University; Matt Fry, Virginia Tech; and Eric Morissett, Oklahoma State University. Team 2, Dairy Farmers of America: Jacqueline Cheatwood, Oklahoma State University; Dakota Sparks, North Carolina State University-Raleigh; Ryan Doescher, Louisiana State University; Diane Tearney, University of Florida; and Alyson Offenheiser, University of Kentucky.
Silver (in random order) – Team 9, Dairy Production Systems/New Frontier Bank: Sonja Galley, Virginia Tech; Leslie Gentry, North Carolina State University-Raleigh; Bethany Brewer, Louisiana State University; Will Cone, University of Florida; and Virgil Womack, Southern University. Team 4, DHI-Provo: J.T. Price, Clemson University; Sarah-Baker Walker, Berry College; Detrick Black, Alabama A&M University; Heather Weeks, Virginia Tech; and Katy Bridges, Louisiana State University. Team 5, ABS Global: Elizabeth Holloway, Louisiana Tech University; Kayla Jackson, Berry College; Karl Wesley Henry, Alabama A&M University; Madeline Milford, Clemson University; and Nellie Benton, Southern University.