Students gain hands on dairy insights at Alberta event with strong industry mentorship
The 2026 Western Regional Dairy Challenge, hosted at the University of Alberta, concluded on March 7 in Camrose, Alberta, Canada. The event brought together 77 students from 15 schools, along with coaches and volunteers, creating a valuable hands-on learning experience in dairy management.
At the start of the event, students were divided into teams and participated in team-building activities. They also met their industry mentors and reviewed farm data to prepare their farm visits and presentations. This early preparation helped students understand real-world challenges in dairy farming.
On the second day, participants visited Vermeer Dairy Farm LTD. With guidance from mentors, students evaluated key areas such as animal health, parlor management, transition pens, and feed systems. They also interviewed farm owners to gain deeper insights into daily operations and long-term goals. After collecting data, teams worked together to prepare their presentations. The day ended with a networking dinner involving students, coaches, and volunteers.
The final day featured team presentations judged by a panel. Each team presented a 20-minute analysis, highlighting farm strengths and suggesting improvements. Students also attended a career and innovation fair, giving them exposure to opportunities in the dairy industry.
Several teams were recognized for their performance. In Panel A, first place went to Team 3, including Samantha Garcia, Averee Silva, Carmen Kulper, Alyson Otten, Wyatt Linger, and Jack Mornarich. Second place was awarded to Team 5, including Kylee Chamberlain, Jaleesa Sousa, Madeline Clifton, Jace Robinson, and Braden Borman.
In Panel B, Team 10 secured first place with Alexis Jackson, Elizabeth Haugen, Derek Gehin, and Derek DeGroot, while Team 6 placed second with Peyton Rawe, Kailiokalani Lower, Dieter Ally, Rebecca Rand, and Anthony Gutierrez.
In Panel C, Team 11 won first place with Drake Bair, Anthony Diniz, Regina Frisle, Estrella Farias, and Alexis Jongsma. Team 12 earned second place with Emily Maners, Lauren Breunig, Jack Welps, Diego Olivares, and Stephanie Soria.
The event successfully combined education, teamwork, and industry exposure, helping students prepare for future careers in agriculture.
Photo: First Place Team (L-R) Samantha Garcia (Cal Poly), Averee Silva (University of Idaho), Carmen Kulper (Oklahoma State University)
Back (L-R): Alyson Otten (Utah State University), Wyatt Linger (BYU-Idaho), Jack Mornarich (Oregon State University)
Photo Credit: 2026 Western Regional Dairy Challenge