This year's Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge event brought together 88 students from universities across the Northeast and Midwest to evaluate real-world dairy operations and present improvement recommendations to industry professionals.

Katie Nelson, a standout participant, was part of the first-place team for Farm 1, sponsored by Farm Credit East, ACA. Her team included students from McGill University, the University of Guelph, and Purdue University. 

Gabriela Galvez contributed to the second-place team for Farm 3, sponsored by DRMS, alongside peers from Michigan State, Purdue, and Cornell.

The Dairy Challenge is a hands-on, team-based competition where students analyze farm records, financials, facilities, and management practices. Based on their skills and interests, students are placed into mixed-university teams and tasked with developing recommendations in areas such as nutrition, cow comfort, reproduction, and financial management.

Participants began the event with team-building activities before diving into data analysis and on-site farm evaluations at RMD Dairy in Rittman, OH, and Clardale Farms in Canal Fulton, OH. Students engaged with mentors and producers to refine their recommendations, which they presented to a panel of judges from across the dairy industry.

Beyond the competition, students enjoyed networking opportunities, farm tours—including a visit to Pine Tree Dairy to learn about robotic milking systems—and a career fair featuring event sponsors and potential employers.

The Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge is part of the larger North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge, which aims to develop future dairy leaders through experiential learning and industry engagement. The next national event will be held April 12–14, 2026, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.