03/27/06 Intercollegiate dairy competition

The University of Idaho and 26 other universities will be competing Friday and Saturday in the dairy challenge. The dairy science student teams will be divided into three groups Friday morning, each with nine universities, each represented by four students. U of I dairy science professor Amin Ahmadzadeh says each team has 12 hours to complete its evaluation of an assigned dairy in Filer, Buhl or Shoshone. AHMADZADEH "They are provided with some raw data, some computerized data and record data. Based on those three sources they have to evaluate that enterprise, recognize their strengths and weaknesses and opportunities." Saturday the teams are given an hour to review their Friday work before they present their analysis and recommendations to the panel of judges. The students can't use the Internet or cell phones; it's all based on their own observations. In the end, all students win, even if it isn't first place. AHMADZADEH "After this event and all the practice that they have done they feel confident that they can walk on the farm and make a sound judgement, at least see what's happening on that farm." The U of I took first place two years ago, second place last year. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott