University of Wisconsin-Madison Hosts Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge® Event

The 2024 Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge, hosted by University of Wisconsin-Madison concluded February 9th in Green Bay, WI. The event saw significant participation with 120 students from 17 schools, along with coaches and volunteers, gathering in downtown Green Bay. The students arrived and were able to attend educational sessions focusing on financials, automatic milking systems, and technology on farms.The students met their mentor and teammates over dinner and brief team building activities. Shortly after dinner they received farm information and began to analyze in preparation for their farm visit and future presentation.

On the second day, students visited one of three farms—Tauchen Harmony Valley Inc. of Bonduel, Diederich Farm LLC of Hobart, or Libertyland Farms of Valders. Accompanied by industry mentors, students assessed different aspects of each dairy farm, including calf care, parlor management, transition pens, and feed management. They also conducted interviews with the producers to gain insights into farm management practices and goals. In the afternoon, students used the data collected during the farm visits and interviews to develop their presentations. Following the submission of their presentation, they, along with sponsors and volunteers, enjoyed tours, tailgate games, and dinner at Lambeau Field.

The final day of the contest saw judge panels evaluating each team’s 20-minute presentations, which highlighted the strengths and areas of improvement for their respective farm. Additionally, there were educational sessions, including a Dairy Challenge alumni panel. Students networked with alumni and sponsors throughout the day. The event concluded with the presentation of student awards, marking the end of the successful 2024 Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge.

The judges awarded the following teams with the first and second place ranking on each farm among the 24 total teams participating.

Room A – Libertyland Dairy

First Place: Team Number 4; (Front L-R) Nathan Abel-Lakeshore Technical College, Rachel

Rynda-University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Benjamin Styer-University of Minnestota (Back L-R) Aly Dieball-University of Wisconsin-Plateville, Morgan Winebold-College of the Ozarks, Emily

Jandrin-Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Second Place: Team Number 1; (Front L-R) Joe Schuh-University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Adam King-College of the Ozarks, (Back L-R) Abby Whitsel-The Ohio State University, Maya

Bicksler-Lakeshore Technical College, Jiamao Yang-Kansas State University

Room B – Tauchen Harmony Valley Inc

First Place: Team Number 11; (Front L-R) William De Boer-Kansas State University, Aspen Hagen-Northcentral Technical College (Back L-R) Brittany Ladd-College of the Ozarks, Danielle Rummel-Michigan State University, Bethany Magdanz-Fox Valley Technical College

Second Place: Team Number 7; (Front L-R) Brea Kieffer-University of Wisconin-River Falls, Katrina Tucker-Kansas State University (Back L-R) Delana Erbsen-Iowa State University, Aubrey

Arneson-Northcentral Technical College, Nicole Broege-Univeristy of Wisconsin-Madison

Room C -Tauchen Harmony Valley Inc.

First Place: Team Number 13; (Front L-R) Molly Cordonnier-The Ohio State University, Molly

Tanis-Dordt University (Back L-R) Sydney Napolillo-Kansas State University, Erik Walters-Lakeshore Technical College, Brianna Wanek-University of Wisconsin-Madison

Second Place: Team Number 15; (Front L-R) Adalee Thelen-Michigan State University, Libby Hasheider-University of Wisconsin-River Falls (Back L-R) Sierra Stahnke-Northcentral Technical College, Ava Jarvais-Fox Valley Technical College

Room D – Diederich Farm LLC

First Place: Team Number 22; (Front L-R) Lexi Eisele-Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Cassidee Widmann-Northcentral Technical College (Back L-R) Garrett Hastings-The Ohio State Unviersity, Audrey Piel-University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Noah Randall-South Dakota State University

Second Place: Team Number 20; (Front L-R) Elijah Jones-University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Cade Ziegler-Purdue University (Back L-R) Aleena Wood-College of the Ozarks, Sydney Schroeder-Southwest Wisconsin Technical College