Allegan County wins novice and senior divisions,
Clinton County wins junior division of dairy quiz bowl

Youth teams from Allegan and Clinton counties were the overall division winners in the dairy quiz bowl contests held during Michigan Youth Dairy Days, an annual dairy youth activity held in conjunction with Michigan Dairy Expo.

The 16th annual expo took place July 16-20 at the Michigan State University (MSU) Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education in East Lansing.

Dairy quiz bowl contestants can compete in one of three age divisions: novice (ages 9-11), junior (ages 11-14) or senior (ages 15-19). Nine teams competed in both the novice and senior divisions and 18 teams competed in the junior division.

The Michigan Youth Dairy Days dairy quiz bowl competition tests the dairy knowledge of youth teams, who are awarded points for correctly answered questions. Though the majority of questions focus on dairy cattle health, nutrition and production practices, a wide range of questions can be asked.

Teams compete in a series of one-on-one, quiz-off, double elimination rounds until the top team is chosen.

Allegan County (Team B) was the winner in the novice division. Team members were: MaKenna Davies, Wayland; Shannon Good, Caledonia (Kent Co.); Katrina Tucker, Hopkins; and Trace Wixom, Bloomingdale.

The second place team in the novice division was from Clinton County. Team members were: Ian Black, Eagle; Dakota Dershem, St. Johns; Devon Kora, Elsie; and Josie Nash, Elsie.

Placing third was the Kent County team (Team A) of Will Link, Alto; Elise Marshall, Lowell; and Nikki and Keegan Nugent, Lowell.

Another team representing Kent County placed fourth and a second Clinton County team placed fifth.

In the junior division, Clinton County Team A finished first. Team members were: Miriah Dershem, St. Johns; Joshua Markel, Westphalia; Forrest Nash, Elsie; and Allison Schafer, Westphalia.

Clinton County Team B was second. Team members were: Abigail Butcher, St. Johns; Cameron Cook, Pewamo; Carmen Hicks, St. Johns; and Jessie Nash, Elsie.

The three-person team of Alexis Bowman, of Addison, Lila Howell, of Hillsdale, and Kathryn Hull, of North Adams, from Hillsdale County were third place.

In fourth place was Ottawa County Team A. Team members were Chelsea Barnes, Zeeland; Briana Bossler, Jamestown; Samantha Dekkinga; Hamilton; and Jessica Holstege, Zeeland.

In the senior division, the winning team was from Allegan County (Team B). Team members were: Shelby Berens, Holland; Zeke Davies, Wayland; and Allie and Isaac Elzinga, Hopkins.

They will represent Michigan in the national dairy quiz bowl competition held during the North American International Livestock Exhibition (NAILE) in Louisville, KY, in November.

Second place senior team in the dairy quiz bowl contest was the joint team representing Saginaw and Shiawassee counties made up of team members Gabe Bennett, New Lothrup; Bryce and Timothy Frahm, Frankenmuth; and Kayla Thayer, Durand.

The third place team was made up of youth from Allegan and Eaton counties: C.J. Berens, Hamilton; Ryan Hall, Charlotte; and Cole and Marshall Wixom, Bloomingdale.

In fourth place was the team representing Ottawa and St. Joseph counties. Team members were: Hayleigh Geurink, Allendale; Faith Morrell, Sturgis; Kelly Raterink, Zeeland; and C.J. Shearer, Hudsonville.

As the youth-centered portion of the Michigan Dairy Expo, the largest annual dairy event in the state, Youth Dairy Days offers young people interested in the dairy industry opportunities to compete for premiums, ribbons and scholarships in various educational activities, including dairy quiz bowls, dairy management contests, dairy cattle judging competitions and the Dairy Days youth show.

This year more than 200 youth from around the state participated in one or more of the educational competitions, and winners may go on to represent Michigan in national competitions.

For more information about the Michigan dairy youth program at MSU or Michigan Dairy Expo, visit www.MIdairyyouth.ans.msu.edu, or contact Dr. Joe Domecq at 517-353-7855.

The 2013 Michigan Dairy Expo and Michigan Youth Dairy Days are scheduled for July 15-19 at MSU.