Animal and Dairy Science Students Compete in Regional Academic Quadrathlon Competition

Four UW-Platteville Animal and Dairy Science students competed in the regional American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Academic Quadrathlon competition at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, March 8^th and 9^th. The competition was part of the American Society of Animal Science Midwest Meetings held in Omaha, NE at the CHI Convention Center. The four-person team included Animal and Dairy Science students: Ayla Moss, Mia Dauphin, Kaelie Billingsley, and Holly Daly.

During the contest, teams of four students competed in four events. Part one of the contest was a 10-station lab practical, which quizzed students on a wide range of questions related to 10 different animal science related areas. Stations for the lab practical included: dairy cattle, beef cattle, pigs, horses, sheep, poultry, companion animals, meats, anatomy and physiology, and general lab stations. Students had 15 minutes to complete each station.

The second part of the contest was an oral presentation. Students were given three animal science related topics and asked to select one to present. Students had one hour to prepare an 8-10-minute presentation before a panel of faculty and industry professionals.

The third part of the contest was the written exam. Students had one hour to complete a four-subject exam. Subject areas for the exam included meat and dairy products, nutrition, genetics, and physiology.

The fourth and final part of the contest was the double-elimination quiz bowl.

There was a total of 8 teams from around the Midwest that competed in the AQ competition. This year's teams included the University of Wisconsin - Platteville, University of Wisconsin - River Falls, Michigan State University, South Dakota State University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, and University of Missouri - Columbia.

In addition to the AQ competition, students were able to attend the scientific meetings and network with other ag students from other regional colleges and universities. The team was advised by Dr. Krista Wellnitz and Dr. John Tembei.