University of Maine Co-Hosting 2012 Northeast Region Student Dairy Challenge

WATERVILLE – More than 120 undergraduate animal and dairy science majors from 14 colleges throughout the Northeast U.S. and Canada will put their dairy farm knowledge to the test at the 2012 Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge Nov.1–3 at the Best Western Plus Waterville Grand Hotel.

The Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge, being held in Maine for the first time, is cosponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. David Marcinkowski, associate professor and UMaine Extension dairy specialist, is host coordinator and lead organizer for the event.

Teams of five students will evaluate a nearby dairy farm and make management recommendations, including ways to save money or maximize profits, to farm owners and a panel of judges. Participating farms — Stonyvale Farms, The Wright Place and Piper Hill farm — will open their barns and farm records to students for analyses. Judges will grade the teams on presentation skills, farm analysis and recommendations.

UMaine students in animal and veterinary sciences or economics programs have attended both regional and national NAIDC competitions since 2004.

“This is a tremendous event that tests student knowledge, observation skills, problem-solving ability and presentation skills,” says Marcinkowski. “In addition, we will have more than 70 industry sponsors, judges, coaches and dairy producers at the event.”

The regional challenge is a three-day event that’s part of the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC).

In addition to the competition, the event will include a technology seminar for local dairy producers led by some of the dairy industry sponsors and researchers who will be at the dairy challenge. For more information about the event, contact David Marcinkowski at (207) 581-2740 or 1-800-287-7170 in-state.

Contact: George Manlove, (207) 581-3756