NICC Dairy Judging Team places fifth in World Dairy Expo competition

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

The Dairy Science Technology program at NICC is one of the nation's top-tier dairy science programs.

CALMAR, Iowa—The Northeast Iowa Community College Dairy Judging Team placed fifth in the National Dairy Judging Competition, World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., on Oct. 1.

NICC Dairy Science Technology student, Kaylee Ferfecki, of Cecil, Wis., earned the fourth overall individual ranking in the competition and received All-American designation for her achievement.

Ferfecki’s team members in the competition included coach Blake Courtney, of Decorah; Cheyanne Troendle, Waukon; Becky Schumann, of Garber; and Peyton Luehmann, of Lewiston, Minn.

“We are very proud to have these individuals as ambassadors for Northeast Iowa Community College on a national stage,” stated Dave Lawstuen, NICC Dairy Science instructor.

The annual World Dairy Expo offers conferences for the youth in the dairy industry. There are several regional and national judging contests in which teams and individuals from high school FFA chapters and 4-H programs can compete in as well as a division for collegiate level teams. Contestants compete for honors in dairy judging, dairy foods and dairy forage. 

The Dairy Science Technology program at NICC is one of the nation's top-tier dairy science programs. Students develop their knowledge of operations and advanced technologies at an on-site, nationally recognized Iowa's Dairy Center. Many graduates return to manage and implement new strategies on their family farms, or advance their careers locally and nationally.