The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s dairy students once again showcased their expertise and proficiency at the 2025 National Dairy Challenge, held in Gainesville, Florida from April 6-8th, 2025. With participants representing 35 colleges and universities, UW-Madison students stood out for their strong analytical skills and innovative problem-solving in dairy farm management.
National-Level Excellence
UW-Madison had a remarkable showing at the competition, earning first place in the Dairy C division at North Florida Dairies. Coached by Eric Ronk, the winning team featured talented students:
- Brooke Meinholz
- Isaiah Hoffman
- Kylie Konyn
- Emma Mathison
Additionally, two UW-Madison students were part of Aggregate Teams that secured first place finishes in the Dairy B and Dairy D divisions:
- Maryann Gudenkauf
- Emma Vos
Brooke Meinholz stated, “It was an honor to represent UW-Madison in Gainesville, Florida for the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest this spring. UW-Madison has an incredible dairy science program that greatly contributed to our success in the contest. Competing alongside students from top programs across North America and still shining through to the top was an unforgettable experience.”
Their critical thinking, teamwork, and deep knowledge of dairy management strategies helped them rise to the top in a competition that tests students’ ability to evaluate real-world farms and provide practical recommendations.
Applying Classroom Knowledge to Real Farms
The National Dairy Challenge is widely recognized for bridging the gap between academic learning and industry application. Students were given herd data, conducted on-site farm visits, and developed strategic solutions for optimizing dairy operations.
UW-Madison’s strong dairy curriculum, combined with hands-on learning opportunities, helped students build the skills needed to excel in the competition. As Emma Vos described, “UW–Madison made our success possible by providing the resources necessary to stay current with dairy industry trends and equipping students with the tools to effectively communicate that knowledge to industry professionals.”
For Maryann Gudenkauf, competing on an aggregate team presented a unique challenge. “Winning reinforced that what I’ve learned at UW–Madison truly makes a difference. It showed me that success doesn’t always require being the top of the top—it comes from hard work, a solid foundation, and confidence in your abilities.”
At North Florida Dairies, UW-Madison’s team analyzed aspects such as:
- Nutrition & reproduction
- Milking procedures
- Animal health & cow comfort
- Labor & financial management
Their recommendations were evaluated by a panel of judges, including veterinarians, dairy producers, and agribusiness professionals. UW-Madison’s performance reflected the high caliber of education and hands-on experience fostered within the university’s dairy program.
To read more about the National Dairy Challenge and view all the results, check out the official press release here.