Legend-Dairy: SDSU Students Claim National Judging Awards

Jun 09, 2025

By Kay Norton

Students in the South Dakota State University Department of Dairy and Food Science brought home high honors in national collegiate dairy competitions this spring.

The SDSU Dairy Cattle Judging Team placed first overall at the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Judging Conference held in Canyon, Texas. Dairy cattle judging evaluates the physical conformation of different breeds of dairy animals and helps students to learn decision-making skills and communication through giving oral reasons for those placings.

Evelyn Scheffler was high individual overall. Vanessa Gonzalez placed first in reasons and third overall. Dillion Sparrgrove placed 10th overall. The team is coached by SDSU faculty member Turner Swartz and will judge in additional contests in the 2025-26 academic year.

Source : sdstate.edu

Video: Advancing Swine Disease Traceability: USDA's No-Cost RFID Tag Program for Market Channels

On-demand webinar, hosted by the Meat Institute, experts from the USDA, National Pork Board (NPB) and Merck Animal Health introduced the no-cost 840 RFID tag program—a five-year initiative supported through African swine fever (ASF) preparedness efforts. Beginning in Fall 2025, eligible sow producers, exhibition swine owners and State Animal Health Officials can order USDA-funded RFID tags through Merck A2025-10_nimal Health.

NPB staff also highlighted an additional initiative, funded by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services through NPB, that helps reduce the cost of transitioning to RFID tags across the swine industry and strengthens national traceability efforts.

Topics Covered:

•USDA’s RFID tag initiative background and current traceability practices

•How to access and order no-cost 840 RFID tags

•Equipment support for tag readers and panels

•Implementation timelines for market and cull sow channels How RFID improves ASF preparedness an