Seven students from Delaware Valley University, Doylestown, participated in the 19th annual Dairy Challenge. The nationwide competition compels dairy science students to turn theoretical classroom knowledge into demonstrable skills. 

The two-day event began with the download of real-life data from a Wisconsin dairy. A virtual tour supplemented the numbers, replacing the traditional boots-on-the-ground visit. The onsite farm operators answered students’ questions in depth. 

Once that discovery was completed, competing teams developed recommendations for:

• Nutrition
• Reproduction
• Milking procedures
• Animal health
• Cow comfort
• Labor and financial management

Judges included dairy producers, veterinarians, finance specialists and seasoned agribusiness personnel. 

The DelVal team comprised the following students: 

• Class of 2021
  • David Degreenia 
  • Jordynn Cahoon 
• Class of 2022
  • Taylor Donovan
  • Madison Jaslar 

More information about the study of dairy science is available at DelVal University.