The Fifth Annual Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge will be held Nov. 8-10, in Concord, N.H. Peter Erickson from the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) department of animal science is leading this year’s Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge.

Erickson plans to welcome students from colleges and universities across the Northeast and Canada for the three-day program. As this year’s host college, UNH is campaigning to involve 120 student participants. “In 2006 we had capacity for 120 students and 115 participated. We intend to maximize our program at 120 students in 2007,” explained Erickson “Collaboration with area agribusiness people and extension professionals helped the program secure three host farms to accommodate 2007 student numbers.”

“Our success in 2006 inspired us to believe we can reach our goal of 120 participants,” stated Event Superintendent Dan Finnerty of Cargill Animal Nutrition. “Already there are more than 100 students from 14 universities committed to participating in this year’s Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge.”

The Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge is designed to create an educational environment and facilitate a real-world dairy team situation. To accomplish this students are placed on mixed-university teams. “Putting students with different skills from different schools on a team to work together in finding solutions is a very important learning experience,” said Judge Selection Chairperson John Lehr of First Pioneer Farm Credit. “On today’s dairies it takes a team of outside professionals working together to make a difference. Students need to practice teamwork. Additionally, the Dairy Challenge is a tremendous opportunity for participating dairy farms to receive consulting advice and for agribusiness sponsors and students to meet and discuss prospective working relationships.”

Students arrive on the afternoon of day one and participate in event orientation and team-building activities. Day two begins with each five-person team receiving information about 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 second day concludes with an informal dinner attended by sponsors, students and advisers. Day three is presentation day, where team members present recommendations to a panel of judges. Participants’ knowledge is tested and they field questions from judges. Presentations are evaluated based on student analysis and recommendations. The evening of day three concludes with a reception and awards banquet.

As the Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge approaches its fifth year it has become the premier program for promoting the future of the dairy business through college and industry partnerships. NAIDC and the Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge are fully funded through contributions from the dairy industry. In-kind and monetary sponsorships are welcome. Defined monetary levels are $500 for Bronze, $1,000 for Silver, $2,500 for Gold and $5,000 or more for Platinum. If a company wishes to provide Platinum in-kind sponsorship they must contribute at least one-half of their sponsorship in cash or reduce NAIDC expenses by $5,000 or more. In-kind sponsorships are delineated as contributions that reduce program expenses. Bronze, Silver and Gold sponsorships for in-kind contributions do not need to have cash as a portion of the sponsorship but must be valued at designated levels. To become a sponsor contact Jan Bitter of First Pioneer Farm Credit at 800-392-3276 or jan.bitter@firstpioneer.com. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. The Pennsylvania State University is planning to host the 2008 Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge.

The Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge is under the guidance and support of the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge which was established in April 2002 as a management contest to incorporate evaluation of all aspects of a specific dairy business. For more information call 217-684-3007 or visit www.dairychallenge.org.