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Northeast Contest


 
North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge
Mission Statement

To create an intercollegiate dairy management competition based on the examination of all aspects of a dairy business. This competition will challenge students in recall of basic dairy management principles and their practical application, while testing organizational, time management, data analysis, public speaking, leadership and teamwork skills. Agribusiness and universities will cooperate to stage this event to increase students' knowledge and comprehension of dairy business management and thereby promote a strong future for the dairy industry.

In addition to the National contest, there are four Regional contests held each year.

North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge
April 4 -5, 2008
Hosted by University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI


Northeast Regional - November 8-10, 2007
Hosted by University of New Hampshire
Concord, NH

Southern Regional - November 15-17, 2007
Hosted by Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA

Midwest Regional - January 31 - February 2, 2008
Hosted by Purdue University
Merrillville, IN

Western Regional - February 28 - March 1, 2008
Visalia, CA

Inspiring Tomorrow's Dairy Leaders Today

There's now one event that brings together the best and the brightest collegiate students who are diligently studying for a career in the dairy industry: The North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge. NAIDC is a unique two-day competition among teams representing North American universities' dairy science programs. The competition challenges those institutions to inspire their students with a high quality education - empowering them with the resources for real-world success. This challenge incorporates all facets of a working dairy business in a forum that's interactive, educational and fun. The NAIDC is the competition for tomorrow's dairy leaders.


The first North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge included fourteen teams representing universities from coast to coast. Four teams earned a platinum rating for their presentations, including the top two teams of Virginia Tech and the University of Minnesota. Each of these team members received a plaque and scholarship.
The Challenge

The North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge allows dairy science students to apply theory and learning to a real-world dairy while working as part of a team.

Day one begins with each four-person student team receiving information on a real-life dairy, including production and farm management data. Following an operation evaluation, teams develop a comprehensive program including recommendations for nutrition, reproduction, milking procedures, animal health, housing and financial management. The first day concludes with an informal dinner with NAIDC sponsors.

Day two is a presentation day, where team members present recommendations to a panel of judges. Competition is stiff, and team members must field questions from the judges. Presentations are evaluated based on the analysis and recommendations. The evening concludes with a reception and awards banquet.

Students evaluating a dairy operation
Hands on is what the entire North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge is all about. Students evaluate a working operation and make recommendations based on theories they've studied in class, and apply them to the NAIDC's real-life classroom.
Copyright NAIDC 2008