North Carolina State University hosted the 2008 contest, drawing participants from Alabama A&M University, Berry College, Clemson University, Ferrum College, University of Florida, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, Virginia Tech, West Virginia University, and Western Kentucky University.

Hosts for this year’s Southern Regional Dairy Challenge were Reid Gray, of Grayhouse Farms, Stoney Point, N.C., and Dennis Leamon, owner of Lucky L Jerseys near Statesville.

On the program’s final day, each team presented its evaluation and recommendations to a panel of industry judges. Teams were ranked as platinum, gold or silver, based on how well they worked as a team and how effectively their presentations of strengths and opportunities for the dairy operation matched the judges’ evaluations. When teams were not presenting, they toured the farm they had not evaluated for the competition.

Dairy Challenge teams are named in recognition of sponsoring businesses and organizations.

Receiving first place Platinum awards were:
Team Select Sire Power: Aaron Horst, Virginia Tech; Matt McCombs, West Virginia University; Brittany Mixson, Clemson University; Felicia Taylor, Western Kentucky University; and Allison Vignes, Louisiana State University.

Team American Dairy Science Association: Natalie Davis, Louisiana State University; Samantha Davis, Virginia Tech; Jennifer Devine, Berry College; Jessica Leonard, North Carolina State University, and Andrew Mains, University of Kentucky.

Second place Platinum awards went to:
Team Southern States Cooperative: Abby Burns, North Caronlina State University; Keegan Gay, University of Kentucky; Hayley Hollier, Louisiana State University; Ivy Roberts, Berry College; and Decima Washington, Alabama A&M.

Team Genex: Ryan Haines, Virginia Tech, LaQuanda Hall, Alabama A&M University, Amy Hoback, Ferrum College; and Candace Munz, University of Florida.

Gold award teams were:
Team Dairy Farmers of America: Randi Black, University of Kentucky; Kari Botkin, Ferrum College; Ashley Fairchild, North Carolina State University; and Jessie Nickerson, West Virginia State University.

Team ABS Global: Sara Coleman, Clemson University; Karl Wesley Henry, Jr., Alabama A&M University; Amanda Holaday, Western Kentucky University; Amanda Stowers, Mississippi State University; and Marlene Tremblay, University of Kentucky.

Team New Frontier Bank: Katherine Anderson, Ferrum College; Nancy Chenault, University of Kentucky; Ashley Massagee, University of Florida; Christopher Ragland, Alabama A&M University; and Anthony Roe, Western Kentucky University.

Team Zinpro Performance Minerals: Megan Bullard, Mississippi State University, Stephanie Croyule, University of Florida, Simone Kennedy, Clemson University; Lucas Krueger, Alabama A&M University; and Autumn Spencer, Ferrum College.

Teams receiving Silver awards were:
Team Southeast DHIA, Inc: Morgan Bullard, Mississipi State University; Ashley Dozier, Alabama A&M University; Laura Gaver, Virgina Tech; and Beth Hudson, Western Kentucky University.

Team Merial Ltd.: Ethan Bloomfield, West Virginia University; Mallory Edison, Berry College; Ana Ferrer, Mississippi State University; Brandi Roebuck, Alabama A&M University.

Team Dairy Production Systems: Sarah Baker-Walker, Berry College; Deirdre Bowie, Alabama A&M University; C.J. Middleton, University of Florida; and Brandy Puckett, Ferrum College.