The Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge held its sixth annual competition October 30-November 1 in Harrisburg, Pa. Nearly 110 students participated from the following colleges: Alfred State College, Cornell University, Delaware Valley College, Morrisville State College, The Pennsylvania State University, SUNY Cobleskill, University of Maine, University of New Hampshire, University of Vermont, Vermont Technical College, University of Guelph from Ontario, Canada, and McGill University from Quebec, Canada.

The Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge is an innovative multi-day event designed by a team of industry and university professionals to promote a vibrant future for the dairy industry. Working in mixed-university teams of four or five students, contestants assessed all aspects of a working dairy farm and presented recommendations for improvement to a panel of judges and participating farm families. The objective of this evaluation process is to create a real-life situation that stresses the importance of teamwork and professionalism.

Team rankings were: Silver – Cargill, Inc., Chris Hansen, Cows Come First, DHI Provo, Diamond V, Genex Cooperative, Holtz-Nelson Dairy Consultants, Northeast Ag and Feed Alliance, Pa. Center for Dairy Excellence, Prince AgriProducts, and Schering-Plough Animal Health; Gold – Agway Foundation, Alltech, Farm Credit System Foundation, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, Northeast Dairy Producers’ Association, Northeast Farm Credit Ag Enhancement, and Select Sire Power; and Platinum – AgChoice Farm Credit, Dairy One, and Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association; Don Rogers Platinum – Adisseo and Blue Seal Richer Feeds. Don Rogers Awards are given to the “best of the best,” symbolizing Don’s commitment to the Dairy Challenge and Dairy Industry.