Progressive Dairyman is proud to sponsor exclusive shirts for participants at this year’s North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC).
On page 39 you can read a story that outlines how the event got started and how it benefits students, producers, higher education and allied industry.
On the Proud to Dairy website (www.proudtodairy.com), you can view video comments from educators and industry professionals that give their testimonials as to the importance of the challenge and what makes it a unique opportunity. For those of you that have taken part in a previous Dairy Challenge, or know someone who has, log on and post your thoughts and comments about the competition; share with the rest of the industry what your experience was like and what you learned from participating.
During the Western Region Dairy Challenge, Progressive Dairyman caught up with participants and volunteers and recorded their thoughts on the challenge.
“I hope the students walk away with several experiences,” said Luciene Ribeiro, a staff member of APC in Visalia, California. “From the regional challenge, I expect they will walk away with the understanding that in the real world, you have to work with nutritionists, vets, managers and owners, all from different perceptions and minds. You need to be open to listen and understand and be able to gather information from every single one of those advisers to the dairy in order to give your recommendation.”
One Fresno State University student came away from the Western regional competition with a good experience. Matt Strickland is the herdsman at Fresno State University and his parents came to the challenge to see his team’s presentation.
“I have seen him become more confident in the way he talks, and he is learning a lot about the industry,” said Vicki Strickland, who is a retired dairy producer. “When I heard him speak today I felt like this has been a huge addition to his education, his confidence and knowledge. He sounded more ready to get out there and have a dairy.”
His father, who is a high school teacher in Merced, California, sees the challenge as a chance for Matt to improve his perspective.
“Right now he has a lot of hands-on experience with the cows, but this gives him a little broader perspective of the business of the industry,” said Rob Strickland. “I think that’s important. You have to be able to do budgets, problem-solve, look at DairyComp and use all that information to be a well-rounded dairyman and be successful today." PD
Ryan Curtis
Assistant Editor
Progressive Dairyman
Dairy Challenge
I expect they will walk away with the understanding that in the real world, you have to work with nutritionists, vets, managers and owners, all from different perceptions and minds. You need to be open to listen and understand and be able to gather information from every single one of those advisers to the dairy in order to give your recommendation.
Luciene Ribeiro
Visalia, CA APC inc.
