Students from the different universities are partnered in teams of four or five. Each team conducts a comprehensive evaluation of a working dairy farm; evaluating everything from cow comfort and herd health to reproduction and finances looking for opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability. After the evaluation each team presents their analysis and prioritized opportunities for improvement to a panel of expert judges and dairy owners.

Participating universities at this year’s competition included: the University of Alberta (Canada), University of Idaho, Washington State University, California Polytechnic State University, and the California State University at Fresno.

Receiving Platinum awards were:
Nicole Hurt, University of Alberta; Carl Betts, University of Idaho; Jennifer Trice,Washington State University; Robert Thommen, California Polytechnic State University; Brian Waymire, California Polytechnic State University;

Brian Medeiros, California Polytechnic State University; Jennifer Spencer, University of Idaho; Stewart Russell, University of Idaho; and Alex DeJager, California State University-Fresno.

Receiving Gold awards were:
Amanda McIntosh, University of Idaho; Micah Kuiper, California Polytechnic State University; Jennifer Onken, Washington State University; Jesse Ruvalcaba, California Polytechnic State University;

Jared Carmo, California Polytechnic State University; Crystal Burke, University of Idaho; Erin Fosler, Washington State University; Jami Lady, California State University-Fresno; Michael Stewart, California Polytechnic State University;

Andy Gray, Washington State University; Anthony Martin, California Polytechnic State University; Tyler Reynolds, University of Idaho; Meagan Kelm, University of Alberta; and Jackie Wuebben University of Idaho.

Receiving Silver awards were:
Wendy Hudson, University of Alberta; Chloe Dixon, Washington State University; Jeff Blickenstaff, University of Idaho; Megan Bettencourt, California State University-Fresno; Brian Schoch. Washington State University;

Torry Shepherd, Washington State University; Alexia Hoy, University of Alberta; Katherine Rector, California Polytechnic State University; Justin Nickerson, California State University-Fresno; Elizabeth Russell, University of Idaho;

Kelsey Blagg, California Polytechnic State University; Marissa Weleschuk, University of Alberta; Edward DeJager, California State University-Fresno; Ann Marie Stickney, Washington State University; Jeanene Russo, University of Idaho;