New Prague, Minn. (April 3, 2023) – The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (DCHA) awarded its $1,000 scholarship to Kylie Konyn, daughter of Stacy and Frank Konyn, Escondido, Calif., and a University of Wisconsin undergraduate student. The DCHA scholarship program honors an outstanding student pursuing a degree in agriculture, with a particular interest in calf health and future productivity. After earning her bachelor’s degree in animal and dairy sciences, Konyn plans to pursue a doctorate degree in dairy cattle nutrition.
Konyn worked at Frank Konyn Dairy and Aspire Holsteins & Jerseys – the last remaining dairy farm in San Diego. Duties included making mating decisions, using cow management and feed software, and assisting with management of the show herd. Last summer, she embarked on an internship with ABS Global as the global marketing intern. She organized tours, developed planning for the 2022 ABS Global Experience event and managed ABS and Genus trademarks. Currently, Konyn works in Heather White’s lab as an undergraduate research assistant. In this role, she develops laboratory skills and various data management techniques, designs research projects, networks with potential research donors and doctors involved, and performs dry matter analysis in response to feed efficiency and product development studies.
At the University of Wisconsin, Konyn participates in the Association of Women in Agriculture (AWA), Badger Dairy Club and Collegiate Farm Bureau. In 2021, she was named AWA’s Outstanding Freshman Member. For Collegiate Farm Bureau, she serves as the public relations officer. In addition, Konyn competed in the 2022 Vernon County Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. She earned fourth high individual honors and was second in oral reasons.
As a youth, Konyn served as the 2021 National Jersey Queen, 2019-2021 California Junior Holstein Association president and 2018-2021 California Junior Jersey Cattle Association president. Holstein Association USA named her a Young Distinguished Junior Member in 2019.
The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (www.calfandheifer.org) was founded in 1996 based on the mission to help dairy producers, calf managers and those professionally focused on the growth and management of dairy calves and heifers. With a national membership of producers, allied industries and research leaders, DCHA seeks to provide the industry’s standards for profitability, performance and leadership, serving as a catalyst to help members improve the vitality and viability of their individual efforts and that of their business.