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Updated January 22, 2010


JERSEY GENETIC TRENDS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SELECTION
INDEXES TO BE FOCUS OF MARCH 13 SEMINAR

Reynoldsburg, Ohio, January 22, 2010—Changes that have occurred in the U.S. Jersey population because of breeders’ mating choices and their impact in an updated Jersey Performance Index™ will be discussed at a seminar, March 13 in Columbus, Ohio.

The program will be presented by Dr. Ronald E. Pearson, emeritus professor at Virginia Tech and developer of the Jersey Performance Index™ as well as the Functional Trait Index and Jersey Udder Index™.

The seminar, also to be broadcast as a live webinar, will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 13 at the Concourse Hotel and Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio. The program is being held in conjunction with the winter meetings of the directors of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc., and the 2010 planning meetings for The All American Jersey Show & Sale.

Since beginning his career in 1971 as a USDA research geneticist, Pearson has been a prolific scientific author and contributor to the success of the worldwide dairy industry. He has been honored by the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) with the J.L. Lush Award for outstanding contribution in dairy genetics. He also received a National Association of Animal Breeders award for outstanding research and the AJCA-NAJ Meritorious Service Award in 2009 for his research focused on developing selection tools based on their impact on improving herd profitability.

Pearson received his bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts, and a master's degree and Ph.D. from Iowa State University.

There is no charge to attend the program or the informal social afterwards. The Concourse Hotel is located at 4300 International Gateway, on the grounds of Port Columbus International Airport in Columbus, Ohio. For webinar log-in instructions, send email to info@usjersey.com before March 10.

The American Jersey Cattle Association, organized in 1868, compiles and maintains animal identification and performance data on Jersey cattle and provides services that support genetic improvement and greater profitability through increasing the value of and demand for Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics, and Jersey milk and milk products. For more information on USJersey program and services, call 614/863-3636 or visit the web site at www.USJersey.com.

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JERSEY PRODUCTION IN 2009 SETS
NEW RECORDS IN ALL CATEGORIES

Reynoldsburg, Ohio, January 14, 2010—The American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) announced today that new records for production by Registered Jersey™ cows were established in 2009.

The official Jersey lactation average increased to 18,498 lbs. milk, 859 lbs. fat, and 666 lbs. protein. On a Cheddar cheese equivalent basis, average yield is 2,248 pounds. All are new category records.

A record 87,911 lactations were processed by the AJCA. This was a gain of 9,687 records (12.4%) over the previous year, and also represents a 22% increase in records processed since 2007.

The lactation average is calculated on a standardized 305-day, twice daily, mature equivalent (m.e.) basis.

The American Jersey Cattle Association, organized in 1868, compiles and maintains animal identification and performance data on Jersey cattle and provides services that support genetic improvement and greater profitability through increasing the value of and demand for Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics, and Jersey milk and milk products. For more information on USJersey program and services, call 614/863-3636 or visit the web site at www.USJersey.com

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USJERSEY REPORTS BACK-TO-BACK RECORD YEARS

Registrations post 50% growth for the decade,
with similar growth reported for other key services

Reynoldsburg, Ohio, January 1, 2010—The American Jersey Cattle Association today announced it had processed 95,557 registrations for 2009, topping the previous record of 94,774 set in 2008.

The AJCA also reported all-time records for total cows enrolled on performance evaluation programs; for total cows and herds enrolled in the comprehensive REAP service; and for cows scored in the Jersey functional type traits appraisal program. All replace category records established in 2008.

2009 caps a decade of dramatic Jersey breed growth:

  • A 50% increase in registrations from 63,776 in 2000 to the December 31, 2009 final count of 95,557;

  • A 42% increase in performance program enrollments from 92,369 cows in 2000 to 131,102 on December 31, 2009;

  • A 51% increase in REAP cow enrollments from 84,448 cows in 2000 to 127,291 on December 31, 2009; and

  • A 61% increase in cows scored in the Jersey type appraisal program, from 51,956 in 2000 to 83,431 in 2009.

In accounting for the organization’s record-setting performance, AJCA leaders gave credit first to the Jersey cow.

“This has been the decade when all of the efficiency factors of the Jersey cow and how these contribute to profitability have come to the forefront for dairy business owners,” said AJCA Executive Secretary and CEO Neal Smith.

AJCA President David Chamberlain, who milks 650 Jerseys at Hi-Land Farms in Wyoming, N.Y., noted, “When it comes to feed conversion into milk solids, our U.S. Jersey is number one.”

Smith also pointed to the breed’s advantages in reproduction and longevity, as well as the added value of Jersey milk. “Particularly this year, the value of higher protein and fat content made a real difference in revenue for Jersey producers.”

Finally, Chamberlain said, “2009 was also a year when the USJersey organizations reaped the results of decades of determination and hard work by our staff and leadership.”

The American Jersey Cattle Association, organized in 1868, compiles and maintains animal identification and performance data on Jersey cattle and provides services that support genetic improvement and greater profitability through increasing the value of and demand for Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics.

Its flagship program is REAP, a comprehensive service package that includes registration, Equity milk marketing support, type appraisal, and performance testing. For more information on USJersey services designed to increase commercial profitability with Jersey cattle, call 614/863-3636 or visit the web site at www.USJersey.com.

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CALLING ALL JERSEY CHEESES: ENTRIES SOUGHT FOR
FIRST NORTH AMERICAN JERSEY CHEESE AWARDS

Reynoldsburg, Ohio (May 1, 2009)—North American cheese and butter makers are invited to showcase their all-Jersey milk products in the first North American Jersey Cheese Awards, July 2 in Syracuse, N.Y.

The competition is being held during the joint meetings of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau, the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. Awards will be announced July 3 during the “Jersey Worlds Combine” festivities at Sycamore Hill Gardens, Marcellus, N.Y.

The contest is modeled after the highly successful World Jersey Cheese Awards, the first breed-specific cheese competition 

held last May in Jersey during the International Conference of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau.

Judges will provide an objective assessment of all entries, which must be made from exclusively Jersey cow milk. Gold, Silver and Bronze awards will be given in 17 classes for cheeses, and a single class for Jersey cream butters.

Gold Award cheeses from each class will then go forward for the best in show class. A trophy plate designed by the artisans at Jersey Pottery, the world-renowned ceramics house, will be presented to the maker of North America’s Best Jersey Cheese.

There is no fee to enter the contest, or a limit on the number of varieties that a cheese maker can enter. Entries will be accepted through Monday, June 15, and products must be received at the contest location on or before July 1.

Heading the judging team will be maitre fromager Kathy Guidi, Dean of Cheese Education Guild and the founder and president of Artisan Cheese Marketing, Toronto, Ontario. With over 35 years of experience working with cheese mongers and producers across Europe, Canada and the United States, Kathy is known as a cheese industry leader and innovator. Her work includes business development consulting for numerous cheese producers and cheese agricultural agencies. Before establishing her company, she held top positions in sales and marketing for Ault Foods Limited, Balderson Cheese Company and Jewel Food Stores.

Members of the judging panel will include:

  • Charles Lindberg, a Supervising Dairy Products Specialist with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets who has worked with cheese and other dairy products for 27 years. In addition to dairy product inspection and safety assurance duties, he is chief judge of the New York State Fair Dairy Products Competition. He has also served as a judge at several past United States and World Championship Cheese Contests.

  • Eric Dutton, who worked for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Milk Control as a Dairy Products Specialist for 35 years. He retired as a Regional Supervisor. Along with his regulatory work, Dutton was a New York state cheese grader and one of the founders of the New York State Fair Dairy Products Contest. He also served as a grader and grading instructor for various Department cheese quality improvement programs over the years.

  • Marcela Hanford, cheese enthusiast and wife of George W. Hanford, president and CEO of Hanford Pharmaceuticals, Syracuse, N.Y.; and

  • Debbie Groom, agribusiness and farming writer for The Post-Standard, Syracuse.

Contest Rules

1.      The contest is open to any cheese or butter maker located in a World Jersey Cattle Bureau North American region country and producing a cheese or butter made purely with Jersey milk. The organizers will seek verification that the products entered are made using 100% Jersey milk.

2.      Each entry may be entered in the name of a person or group directly involved in making the product. A person or group may enter more than one class. A person or group may be named on more than one entry within a class if the entries are of different varieties.

3.      Each product must be entered in its original form, uncut, as whole wheels, loaves or blocks. Any cheeses and butter under one pound of weight will require one retail case of samples (minimum of 6 pieces). Product is to be sent in normal company packaging. Exceptions are made for cheeses normally cut during manufacture (e.g., feta, Swiss) or when fully formed pieces are blocks larger than 20 pounds, send a 20-pound sample.

4.      Contest organizers reserve the right to place entries into the class deemed most appropriate by the head judge.

5.       All products must be shipped overnight to Doubletree Hotel Syracuse, ATTN: Jersey Cheese Awards, 6301 State Route 298, East Syracuse, NY 13057, to be received by 10:30 a.m. on July 1, 2009.

6.      All products entered in the competition become the property of the American Jersey Cattle Association. They will be showcased at a tasting during the “Jersey Worlds Combine” festivities on July 3 at Sycamore Hill Gardens.

Classes

1 Fresh and cream cheese, plain 
2 Mold ripened soft or unpressed cheese, plain 
3 Soft or unpressed cheese, ripened, plain 
4 Blue vein cheese, any variety, uncut 
5 Continental style hard cheese, style to be indicated
6 British style hard cheese, style to be indicated 
7 Continental style semi-hard cheese, style to be indicated 
8 British style semi-hard cheese, style to be indicated 
9 Very hard cheese
10 Rind washed cheese
11 Smoked cheese
12 Flavoured cheese, sweet 
13 Flavoured cheese, savoury
14 Reduced fat cheese, fat percentage reduction to be indicated 
15 Hard cheese produced on farm/dairy with a total output not exceeding a weekly average of two metric tons (4,400 pounds), i.e., farmstead produced
16 Semi-hard cheese, farmstead produced
17 Soft cheese, farmstead produced
18 Jersey cream butter, any style

Detailed instructions for shipping will be provided after entries are made. Products must be received at the judging location on or before July 1, 2009.

For more information on the Awards competition and festival and to submit entries, contact Dr. Cherie L. Bayer, North American Vice-President for the World Jersey Cattle Bureau, at (614) 861-3636; Russell Gammon, Executive Secretary of Jersey Canada, at (519) 821-1020; or contest superintendent Sarah Mullen, Customer Service Coordinator with National All-Jersey Inc., at (614) 266-6916.

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JERSEY JUNIOR PUBLIC PRESENTATION CONTEST
ENTRIES DUE FRIDAY, JUNE 5

Reynoldsburg, OH, March 24, 2009—Friday, June 5, 2009 is the deadline for Jersey youth to enter the fourth edition of the national Jersey junior presentation competition, TalkJersey,

All AJCA junior or lifetime Members, ages 7 through 20 as of January 1, 2009, are invited to enter either the live public speaking contest or the recorded presentation division.

Judging will be held on Thursday, July 2 during the Annual Meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. at the DoubleTree Hotel Syracuse, Syracuse, N.Y.

Cash awards sponsored by ABS Global Inc. and prizes offered by the American Jersey Cattle Association will be presented in all divisions at the junior awards breakfast on July 4.

The contest entry form can be completed online from the USJersey web site. Applications may also be requested from the AJCA Development Department by calling 614/861-3636.

Live Public Speaking

Demonstrations or speeches are to focus on any phase of the Registered Jersey™ business, including current affairs and dairy industry trends. Judges will evaluate the speaker’s personal interest in the topic, as well as its appropriateness for a general dairy audience.

Participants will be divided into groups by their age on January 1, 2009 as follows: Division I, 7 to 10 years; Division II, 11 to 13 years; Division III, 14 to 16; and Division IV, 17 to 20 years.

Division I contestants present demonstrations between four (4) and six (6) minutes in length. Posters may be used in addition to demonstration materials.

Participants in Divisions II, III and IV present speeches between five (5) and seven (7) minutes in length. Visual aids are not allowed. Speaker notes are permitted. No more than four (4) 4" x 6" notecards may be used. Judges will ask questions after each presentation is completed.

Contestants will be scored on the basis of 50 points, as follows:  topic selection and content, 15 points; organization of speech, 10 points; vocal presentation, 10 points; presentation and effectiveness, 10 points; and response to questions, 5 points. Click here for detailed judge's score card.

One (1) point will be subtracted from the total point score for each 30 seconds over or under the required speaking time. 

Recorded Presentation Division

Entries are also invited for video or PowerPoint narrated presentations. This presentation must be the contestant’s own production and created between September 1, 2008 and June 1, 2009.

The topic must be a subject directly related to Registered Jerseys. Entries must be between five (5) and seven (7) minutes long, and feature the contestant as the only speaker. No costumes may be used, and no interviews with other persons are allowed. Musical tracks or background music cannot be used in these presentations.

Entries will be divided into three groups by contestant age on January 1, 2009: Division I, ages 7 to 12 years; Division II, ages 13 to 16; and Division III, age 17 and older.

The finished presentation must be saved in PC format (not Mac) on either a CD/DVD, a flashdrive/thumbdrive, or as a VHS video. Entries must be received in the AJCA office by Friday, June 26.

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JULY 1 IS DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR JERSEY YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS

Reynoldsburg, Ohio, April 22, 2009—Wednesday, July 1 is the deadline to submit applications for 2009-10 academic scholarships administered by the American Jersey Cattle Association, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

The AJCA Scholarship Program provides over $15,000 in financial support for Jersey youth enrolled in colleges or universities or, in some cases, youth seeking hands-on experience in the development and management of Registered Jersey™ cattle.

Applicants must be a junior or life member of the American Jersey Cattle Association upon submitting their application. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) is required to apply for these scholarships. A copy of the applicant’s high school or college transcript must be included with the application form.

A Russell–Malnati Scholarship for Advanced Studies of $5,000 will be awarded. Undergraduate students who have completed at least one-half of coursework credit hours required for a degree in dairy science, animal science (dairy emphasis), large animal veterinary practice, dairy production or manufacturing, or dairy product marketing, and graduate students in those program areas are eligible to apply.

The William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 will be presented to a student who will begin a program of study at an accredited college or university in the fall of 2009.

The Cedarcrest Scholarship of $1,500 will be awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student seeking a degree in large animal veterinary practice, dairy production, dairy manufacturing, or dairy product marketing.

Also to be awarded is the $1,500 Bob Toole Jersey Youth Award, which can be used for either college expenses or a well-defined practical experience related to breeding, developing and showing Registered Jerseys™.

The V. L. Peterson Scholarship and Paul Jackson Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to students who have completed at least one year of college or university work. The award amount for each scholarship is $1,000.

Residents of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia who are at least high school graduates, but not older than 36 years of age as of January 1, are eligible to apply for the Reuben R. Cowles Jersey Youth Award. Applicants must state whether the award money will be used for to support their education or to fund a trip to the All American Jersey Show and Sale, the AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings or other Jersey educational activities.

Applications for these scholarships are now posted on the USJersey website

In addition, a Jack C. Nisbet Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,500 will be presented to a youth selected from nominees for the 2008 National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest.

These awards will be presented Saturday, November 7 at the annual Junior Banquet held during The All American Jersey Shows and Sales in Louisville, Ky.

About the National Jersey Youth Program

The American Jersey Cattle Association has made strategic investments in Jersey youth since 1958 when it created the National Heifer Sale to provide annual funding for educational programs and awards. Scholarships are paid from permanent endowments administered by the American Jersey Cattle Association. Contributions to these funds are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3) tax deductible charitable gifts.

For more information, contact the American Jersey Cattle Association by writing 6486 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-2362, or visiting its web site at USJersey.com.

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BRADY CORE RECEIVES FRED STOUT EXPERIENCE AWARD

Reynoldsburg, Ohio, April 27, 2009—Brady Core, Salvisa, Ky., has been selected as the 2009 recipient of the Fred Stout Experience Award.

The award was created in 2000 in memory of Fred J. Stout Jr., Mt. Carmel, Ill., a lifelong Jersey breeder and member of the Jersey Marketing Service staff from 1978 to 1997. Stout was instrumental in the growth of the company’s marketing activities, and later added duties as a type evaluator and in customer field service for the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA).

Stout believed that the best learning experiences happen in the everyday world. This award honors that conviction. It will provide partial support for Core’s upcoming internship with Jersey Marketing Service, which will include working on the crew for the 52nd National Heifer Sale, July 4, 2009 at the Empire Expo Center in Syracuse, N.Y.

Core was raised on his family’s farm, Keightley & Core Jersey Farm, and has been active in the daily management of the 60-cow and farming operation for the past nine years. He has been extensively involved in the marketing of genetics produced from the herd’s well-known show winners, most notably KJF Renaissance Lacy, shown by Brady to Grand Champion of The All American Junior Jersey Show in four consecutive years (1998 through 2001). In addition, Brady has worked as an independent fitter at shows and sales across the U.S.

As a member of the UK dairy judging team competing at the 2008 National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, Brady placed in the top 10 individuals in three breeds and was tenth high individual overall. As a member of Kentucky’s 4-H judging team, he was high individual at the 2004 Mid-South Fair in Memphis, Tenn.

Brady was also honored as Kentucky FFA State Star Farmer (2005), served as the Bluegrass Region FFA Vice President (2004-05), and was the state FFA Dairy Entrepreneurship winner in 2003.

Core is a senior at the University of Kentucky, majoring in agricultural communication with a public service and leadership option. He serves as vice president and planning/alumni relations chair for Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, and is a member of the UK Dairy Club. He expects to graduate in December 2009.

Previous recipients of the Fred Stout Experience Award are Tara Bohnert, Illinois (2003), Allison Waggoner, South Carolina (2004), Dan Bauer, Wisconsin (2005), Aaron Horst, Pennsylvania (2006), Jacob Pieper, Maryland (2007); and Katie Albaugh, Maryland (2008).

Jersey Marketing Service, which is owned by the members of National All-Jersey Inc., posted its fourth best year in history in 2008 with $9.4 million in sales. Founded in 1971, JMS policies are established by an 11-member, nationally representative Board of Directors. Company offices are located at 6486 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-2362.

The Fred Stout Experience Award is one of nine educational awards for Jersey youth sponsored by the American Jersey Cattle Association, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Applications for 2009-10 academic scholarships are now available online at USJersey.com and must be submitted no later than July 1. Deadline to apply for the 2010 Stout Experience Award is February 1 of next year.

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JUDGES NAMED FOR THE 2009 ALL AMERICAN JERSEY SHOWS

Reynoldsburg, Ohio (May 1, 2009)—The judges have been selected for The 57th All American Jersey Shows, sponsored by the American Jersey Cattle Association of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

The largest exhibition of Registered Jersey™ cattle in the world, the three shows of The All American will be held November 7, 8 and 9, 2009 in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky.

Brian Sayles, Paris, Ontario, will officiate in The All American Jersey Show on Monday, November 9. This will be his second time in the open show ring, having previously served as its judge in 2001. Sayles also judged the National Jersey Jug Futurity in 1991. He has officiated at the World Dairy Expo, the Pennsylvania All-American Dairy Show and the Royal Winter Fair; numerous state fairs in the U.S.; and also the national shows of Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, Mexico and the United Kingdom. His consultant will be Hank Van Exel, Lodi, Calif.

The judge of the 2007 All American Jersey Show, Wayne Sliker, St. Paris, Ohio, will return to Freedom Hall to place entries in the 56th National Jersey Jug Futurity. Sliker is well known in the dairy industry as a judge and Brown Swiss breeder. Previous judging assignments include more than 40 national shows in the U.S. and Canada, plus exhibitions in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Japan and Mexico. His consultant will be Chris Lahmers, Marysville, Ohio.

The National Jersey Jug Futurity is the oldest and richest class for dairy cattle. Premiums for the 2009 show are estimated at over $10,000.

The judge for The All American Junior Jersey Show will be Herby D. Lutz, Chester, S.C. Judge for the National Jersey Jug Futurity in 2000, 2009 will be his debut in the junior show ring. Lutz has officiated at many state fairs and national shows in Australia, Brazil and Colombia. Lutz developed the Sunny Day Jersey and Guernsey operation, then in 2001 became manager of Jersey Marketing Service manager. He is now sire analyst with Select Sires Inc. Herby and his wife, Amanda, own and operate Her-Man Jerseys. Craig Padgett, Waynesburg, Ky., will be the consultant.

The first and second place winners in each class of these shows will become the All American and Reserve All American honorees for 2008 by the American Jersey Cattle Association.

The All American Jersey Show & Sale is an annual production of the American Jersey Cattle Association, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Approximately 100 Jersey breeders from across the United States serve on the All American planning committees, which meet annually in March. For more information on sponsorship opportunities associated with The All American, contact the AJCA Development Department at 614/861-3636.

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UPDATED EVALUATIONS:  JERSEY CONTINUES
TO RANK FIRST FOR PRODUCTIVE LIFE

Reynoldsburg, Ohio, January 21, 2009After the January 2009 USDA genetic summaries, Jerseys have a 180-day, or six-month advantage in Productive Life among the six dairy breeds evaluated in the United States.

For cows born over a five-year period—1998 through 2002—Jerseys have the longest average productive life of 33.6 months, or 1,025 days. A total of 204,383 Jerseys were included in the data published by the USDA Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory (AIPL) at Beltsville, Md.

By comparison, the weighted average for 3,290,970 cows of the other five breeds born in the same period is 27.7 months, or 845 days. By breeds, average Productive Life for Ayrshire is 967 days (11,672 cows); Brown Swiss, 930 days (29,311 cows); Guernsey, 803 days (16,223 cows); Holstein, 844 days (3,230,119 cows); and Milking Shorthorn, 948 days (3,645 cows).

The trait of Productive Life is defined as “time in the milking herd before removal by voluntary culling, involuntary culling, or death.”

Cows having opportunity to reach eight (8) years of age are considered a completed observation, but continue to add credits for productive life after this point.

Productive Life evaluations combine information from direct longevity (measured by DHI data on calving dates, disposal dates, reasons for disposal and lactation lengths) with correlated traits. Cows with multiple lactations are given more total credit for productive life than cows with just one long lactation. According to AIPL scientists, this is because “cows that begin a next lactation generally are more profitable than those that continue the previous lactation because a new peak yield is achieved.” As a cow's lactation is extended, the value credited to her production is diminished.

Productive Life is a key component of the USDA Net Merit functions. For Jerseys, it receives 18% of total emphasis for NM$ and FM$, and 14% for CM$. In Jersey Performance Index, Productive Life is weighted at 12%.

The American Jersey Cattle Association, organized in 1868, compiles and maintains animal identification and performance data on Jersey cattle and provides services that support genetic improvement and greater profitability through increasing the value of and demand for Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics. The flagship program is REAP, a comprehensive service package that includes registration, Equity milk marketing support, functional type appraisal, and performance testing. Over 125,000 cows are currently enrolled on all AJCA performance evaluation programs.

For more information on USJersey services designed to increase commercial profitability with Jersey cattle, call 614/863-3636 or visit the web site at www.USJersey.com.

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  It’s the ultimate coffee table book,
or a great gift for a Jersey enthusiast!

The 160-page World Jersey Journal was published to commemorate the International Conference of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau, last May in Jersey.

The AJCA has a limited supply of the magazine, courtesy of the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society. Copies are $10.00 each, prepaid by credit card to cover the cost of shipping and handling.

Call (614) 861-3636 and place your order now before the supply runs out!

 

CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY TO RECORD
THE 100,000TH JERSEY WITH TAG ID IN 2008

Tulare, California, February 12, 2008—The American Jersey Cattle Association, in tandem with animal ID leader Allflex, today announced a campaign to record the 100,000th Registered Jersey™ identified by double-matching approved ear tags.

The milestone, which coincides with the association’s 140th anniversary, will be marked by awarding the animal’s owner a year’s supply of Double Matched Pair sets of JerseyTags™ with HDX High Performance EID tags, up to a maximum of 500 sets, plus a stick reader from Allflex USA Inc.

According to Executive Secretary and CEO Neal Smith, orders for the AJCA’s line of JerseyTags™ manufactured by Allflex have grown at double-digit rates annually, with just under 100,000 sets sold in 2007.

“The primary reason AJCA members have adopted eartag identification,” Smith said, “is that the foundation for maximizing profitability with Jerseys is accurate, verifiable animal identification.”

Not only is positive ID a requirement for day-to-day herd management, the Jersey executive explained, it’s also vital for Jersey breeders who want to increase to their income by marketing Registered Jerseys™.

“High-visibility eartag ID and increasingly electronic ID is a requirement of the people who purchase through our cattle marketing company, Jersey Marketing Service,” said Smith. “Buyers are paying for pedigree and performance information and they expect it to be linked up through the animal’s identification number.

“The Allflex tag technologies, combined with the services available from the USJersey organizations, make it all possible.”

The American Jersey Cattle Association has recorded over 68,000 animals identified by approved eartags since its members overwhelmingly approved new rules for registration five years ago. The Allflex Tamperproof™ tag line is the only product approved by the AJCA for that purpose.

“Milk producers like the flexibility of tailoring our tags to meet their needs and reduce mistakes,” said Jon Becerril, national sales manager for Allflex USA, Inc. “That is why the Double Matched Pair set including an EID tag is particularly popular. It delivers a combined visual and electronic solution for identification that is visible from nearly every angle.

“Advanced animal ID doesn’t cost,” Becerril noted, “it pays. We are proud to be a partner with the USJersey organizations in bringing the number one livestock identification system in the world to its customers.”

About American Jersey Cattle Association

Organized in 1868, the American Jersey Cattle Association is the oldest dairy breed registry organization in the United States. The AJCA compiles and maintains animal identification and performance data on over 120,000 Jersey cattle and provides services that support genetic improvement and greater profitability through increasing the value of and demand for Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics, and Jersey milk and milk products. More information about the USJersey organizations, including National All-Jersey Inc. and Jersey Marketing Service, is available at www.usjersey.com.

About Allflex

Backed by a global network of experts and more than 50 years of experience in animal identification, Allflex is the world leader in design, technology, manufacturing and delivery of animal identification for traceability systems across all production animal species and companion animals. The company brings cutting-edge, practical applications of visual, electronic and radio frequency animal identification technology to livestock industries across the world, contributing to a safer global food supply. Allflex has manufacturing and technology subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and China with products are distributed in 80 countries. Visit www.allflexusa.com for more information.

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