This year's American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) meetings were held in Cincinnati, OH. As usual, the dairy dawgs not only attended the meetings June 22nd - 25th but also represented the University of Georgia well with many connections made, learning outcomes achieved, and accolades awarded.

     

With ten undergraduates and one graduate student, this was UGA's largest delegation yet to attend national ADSA meetings. The meetings started on Saturday with an educational farm tour at Young's Jersey Dairy. This small-scale dairy specializes in agritourism and processing of their milk for farmstead cheeses. After a walk around the farm, a look into their processing facilities, and of course taste testing, the group was headed begin their official meeting events with networking and dinner with other attending universities.

    

Sunday the group was focused on Dairy Quiz Bowl. With a four man team made up of Jay Moon, Matt Holton, Will Porter, and Greyson Fernandez, the team went head to head with schools from across the country in a double elimination match up with questions spanning industry people, dairy production, dairy foods, and current industry news. The team was impressive in both knowledge and quickness on the buzzer, which earned them a 4th place in the Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest.

Monday continued the competitions and networking opportunities. Kenne Hillis presented her production paper on "Evaluating the potential impact of the slick gene on reducing heat stress in dairy cattle" in the morning while Alyssa Rauton presented her foods paper "A2 milk and the potential impact on consumer markets" that afternoon. During this same time, UGA's scrapbook and annual report was being evaluated in the convention center and graduate student Kayla Alward was presenting her research findings in a poster titled "Evaluating the impact of stage of live on anti-Müllerian hormone in dairy cattle".   The students were also able to participate in a career roundtable lunch and attend mentoring sessions hosted by faculty and allied industry partners that were at the meetings as well.

    

Early afternoon, Kenne and Alyssa received exciting news - they BOTH received 2nd place in their respective paper presentations. That's right, UGA had the national 2nd place dairy production presentation and the national 2nd place dairy foods presentation. Both students were recognized at the ADSA awards ceremony that evening with over 500 academic and industry professionals from across the world.

     

The event came to a close on Tuesday with a final business meeting, mentoring session, and an educational workshop on media training. During this same time, Kayla Alward was presenting another piece of her research findings in the ADSA Southern Branch Graduate Student Paper competition. Her presentation was titled "Evaluating anti-Müllerian hormone as a reproductive tool in dairy cows". During the banquet and awards program, the UGA delegation were thrilled to received 1st place chapter website ( https://ugadsc.wixsite.com/ugadsc) designed by Avery Adams and 3rd Outstanding Chapter in the Nation. In addition, Kenne Hills was elected as Secretary/Treasurer to the national board and Jay Moon was the outgoing Officer at Large.

    

The group then packed up and headed to the airport to return to UGA. Just prior to boarding the plane, graduate student Kayla Alward received news that her presentation won 1st place in the Southern Branch Graduate Student Paper competition. What a way to end a great trip! These events not only allow these students to showcase their hard work but also allow them to network and connect with peers and professionals from across the world. With no other opportunity like it, this event is always a highlight to the year. Such a trip would not be possible without the generous support of the Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation and Southeast Milk Check-off. Thank you!