Penn State Beef Quiz Bowl Team Brings Home the GOLD

The Penn State Beef Quiz Bowl team swept the 2009 National Cattlemen's Foundation Collegiate Beef Quiz Bowl held as part of the 2009 Cattle Industry Annual Convention last weekend in Phoenix, AZ, building on a very strong tradition. In the 17 years of the contest, Penn State has represented the North East Region 14 times and has been the National Champion team nine times and has placed second four times.

Dr. Terry Etherton, head of the Department of Dairy and Animal Science, said, "It is a truly remarkable achievement for our students to dominate this competition so consistently. It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the students, and to the outstanding quality of our undergraduate teaching program which gives them this solid academic background. I congratulate them on this extraordinary achievement."

Members of the 2009 Penn State team include: Amy Shollenberger, Harleysville, Pa; Elizabeth Smith, Lebanon, PA.; Kristina McAllister, Petersburg, Pa; and Jenny Rassler, Kempton, Pa. Dan Kniffen, Ph.D., assistant professor of dairy and animal science, and Christopher R. Raines, Ph.D., assistant professor of meat science and technology advised the team, and were assisted by Dale Olver, instructor of dairy and animal science.

Teams earned the privilege of competing in the finals by winning their American Society of Animal Science section's competition of the Academic Quadrathlon. In the northeast region this past year over 300 students participated. With four members to a team, the contest features double elimination, and the team with the best record wins.

The four regional universities in the competition included Penn State, Kansas State University, University of Kentucky and University of Wyoming. Penn State's team won every round in their bracket.

During the competition, students answer a series of questions about all aspects of beef cattle and the beef industry. The range of questions can include physiology, nutrition, reproduction, meat science, basic production information and current events affecting the beef industry.

The Collegiate Quiz Bowl develops future leaders by engaging them in competition and presenting the contestants with the opportunity to be a part of the Cattle Industry Annual Convention where the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) hosts the largest beef-focused trade show in the country with 250 exhibitors. Kniffen, who also is an undergraduate adviser, said, "The competition is challenging and really tests our students' knowledge.

Another valuable benefit of participation is attending the trade show, which offers a unique venue for our students to connect with industry leaders while learning about opportunities in every area of the industry. The convention is focused on education, information and networking and provides our team members an important overview."

The National Collegiate Quiz Bowl is a joint program of the National Cattlemen's Foundation and the American Society of Animal Science.