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BARLASS
HONORED WITH YOUNG JERSEY BREEDER AWARD
July
7, 2004, Reynoldsburg, Ohio—Brian Barlass, Janesville, Wis., was
recently named a recipient of the American Jersey Cattle Association’s
(AJCA) Young Jersey Breeder Award. Barlass
was recognized for his accomplishments at the Young Jersey Breeder’s
Banquet held July 1, 2004, in conjunction with the AJCA Annual Meeting in
Seattle, Washington. The
Young Jersey Breeder Award is presented annually to young individuals or
couples who merit recognition for their expertise in dairy farming,
breeding Jersey cattle, participation in AJCA and National All-Jersey Inc.
programs, and leadership in Jersey and other dairy and agriculture
organizations. Barlass
began his dairy career at the young age of eight when he received his
first calf from the family dairy farm, Barlass Jerseys.
After earning a B.S. degree in dairy science from Cornell
University and gaining experience on Owens Farms
Inc. in Wisconsin, Yosemite Jersey
Dairy in California, and two dairies in New Zealand, Barlass
returned to the family dairy in 1999. Barlass
came equipped with a five-year business plan that included mission
statements, budgeting strategies, income statements, balance sheets, and
projections for higher feed costs, lower milk prices, and unexpected herd
health situations. Soon
after, he and his parents, Bill and Marion, began expansion of the farm
that included the transformation from a 100-cow conventional tie-stall
stanchion barn to a modern freestall-milking parlor facility. Since,
the farm has grown from a 105-cow dairy to the 410 that Barlass milks
today. He has done so while
increasing production by 4,000 lbs. milk, 170 lbs. fat, and 125 lbs.
protein. In 2003 Barlass
Jerseys ranked fourth in the nation for milk, fat, and protein production
for herds with 150 to 299 records. Barlass
Jerseys also has 30 cows in the AJCA Production Hall of Fame.
Barlass
Jerseys is enrolled in the AJCA’s REAP (registrations, Equity,
appraisal, and performance testing ) program and believes it contributes
to the efficiency of the dairy by allowing him to streamline records.
As a result of his REAP enrollment Barlass is also able to utilize
JerseyMate™, the AJCA’s unbiased mating program that enables producers
to breed more productive cows with improved functional type, while also
managing inbreeding. Barlass,
a former AJCA National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest Winner, is
currently a Director for Dairyland Jersey Sires Inc.
He also serves on the Producer Meeting Committee and as a mentor
for the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW). Plans
for further expansion and improvement continue to be at the top of Barlass’
agenda. He is making plans
for an onsite dry cow and pre-fresh cow housing facility, additional
milking cow housing, a new calf raising facility, and more bulk bin
commodity storage. “It
has been Brian’s planning, vision, and energy that has been responsible
for the success of the expansion project,” comments Douglas Newton,
President of Ag Consulting Team. “Brian
is responsible for the daily operation and future development of the
dairy. He continues to show
great vision for the future, implementing many progressive and modern
technologies.” The
American Jersey Cattle Association was organized in 1868 and has provided
herd identification and production recording services since 1928.
The only dairy breed organization to show continuous growth over
the past decade, the AJCA is delivering service for approximately 98,000
cows on performance programs. An
average of 69,826 animals have been recorded in the most recent 3-year
period. For more information
on the association’s complete line of services for dairy business
owners, visit the website at www.USJersey.com or call 614/861-3636.
BEYER
HONORED WITH YOUNG JERSEY BREEDER AWARD
July
8, 2004, Reynoldsburg, Ohio—Clinton Beyer, Manawa, Wis., was recently
named a recipient of the American Jersey Cattle Association’s (AJCA)
Young Jersey Breeder Award. Beyer
was recognized for his accomplishments at the Young Jersey Breeder’s
Banquet held July 1, 2004, in conjunction with the AJCA Annual Meeting in
Seattle, Washington. The
Young Jersey Breeder Award is presented annually to young individuals or
couples who merit recognition for their expertise in dairy farming,
breeding Jersey cattle, participation in AJCA and National All-Jersey Inc.
programs, and leadership in Jersey and other dairy and agriculture
organizations. A
third generation Jersey breeder, Beyer began his herd at the age of nine
with his first 4-H project calf. After
earning a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Wisconsin-River
Falls in 1991, Beyer returned to Wisconsin to become a partner in his
dad’s farming operation, Beyer Jerseys. Since,
Beyer has focused heavily on the genetic development of the Beyer herd
including an elaborate mating scheme.
Beyer’s mating program includes breeding to a top JPI (Jersey
Performance Index™) sire on the first service, on the second a young
sire, and on the third and fourth a Genetic Diversity program young sire. Because
of his participation in the AJCA’s REAP (registrations, Equity,
appraisal, and performance testing) program, Beyer is able to utilize
JerseyMate™, the
AJCA’s unbiased mating program that enables producers to breed more
productive cows with improved functional type, while also managing
inbreeding. Beyer uses the
program to select for udder depth and teat placement while maintaining
production and decreasing EFI (expected future inbreeding). Beyer’s
mating scheme led to the development of Squire Tanya Tessie, E-90% with an
EFI of 2.2. “Tessie” has
completed three lactations with over 18,000 lbs. milk and has lifetime
production of 186,000 lbs. milk. The
farm is currently in the process of trying to improve it’s grazing
program in order to keep production at a consistent level throughout the
summer months as well. Beyer’s
decision to purchase a portable TMR mixer last year is also helping to
improve the herd’s production. The
Beyer herd had a 2003 m.e. production average of 16,328 lbs. milk, 728
lbs. fat, and 565 lbs. protein. Beyer
has also implemented new calf raising practices, including biosecurity
measures on the farm, which have significantly reduced the calf mortality
rate. Beyer
is a volunteer advisor for the Manawa FFA Chapter and a coach and
instructor for the 4-H dairy judging team.
He is also the Vice President of the Wisconsin Parish 7 Jersey
Breeders, the Young Farmer Chairman of the Waupaca County Farm Bureau, and
served on the State Policy Development Committee for the Wisconsin Farm
Bureau Federation. “There
has not been a moment that I have not seen Clint trying to make the most
of learning more about Jerseys, promoting Jerseys, working with his
Jerseys, or lending a helping hand to someone who needs help with their
Jerseys,” notes Ginger Heller, secretary of the Northeast Wisconsin High
Protein Show. “He believes
Jerseys are the cows that are right for the dairy market of today and will
do all in his power to continue to use the best tools of the industry to
maximize his Jerseys’ potential.”
BOHNERT
HONORED WITH YOUNG JERSEY BREEDER AWARD
July
8, 2004, Reynoldsburg, Ohio—Brian Bohnert, East Moline, Ill., was
recently named a recipient of the American Jersey Cattle Association’s
(AJCA) Young Jersey Breeder Award. Bohnert
was recognized for his accomplishments at the Young Jersey Breeder’s
Banquet held July 1, 2004, in conjunction with the AJCA Annual Meeting in
Seattle, Washington. The
Young Jersey Breeder Award is presented annually to young individuals or
couples who merit recognition for their expertise in dairy farming,
breeding Jersey cattle, participation in AJCA and National All-Jersey Inc.
programs, and leadership in Jersey and other dairy and agriculture
organizations. The
son of Illinois hog and grain farmers, Scott Bohnert was not born into the
dairy industry. Instead, he
got his start with Jerseys in 1984 when his dad brought home two Jersey
cows from a local sale barn. The
cows were to be a 4-H project for Scott and his siblings and throughout
the entire 1980s the Bohnerts only kept around enough cows to stem their
projects. However,
in 1989, Scott along with his brother, Brian, built their own flat-4
milking parlor and began shipping milk to Swiss Valley Farms.
For the first year they milked in bucket milkers, but they soon
installed their own pipeline and completed a 40-cow freestall barn. By
1994, the barn was nearly at capacity so Scott invested in building a
double-3 milking parlor and in 1996 added 60 additional freestalls to the
barn. For the next two years,
Scott continued to expand the herd slowly until it reached capacity in
2000. As
amazing as the story of Bohnerts’ Jerseys is, perhaps most intriguing is
what Scott has been able to accomplish in his short association with
Jerseys. Scott’s mission
has always been to breed cows to the best bulls, in order to correct type
faults while maintaining high production.
Scott was among the first to utilize Mason Boomer Sooner Berretta,
and had two milking daughters when “Berretta’s” first proof came
out. Berretta Stephanie
Bruce, E-90%, was one of those daughters and produced two Hall of Fame
records. Scott,
who utilizes JerseyMate™, the
AJCA’s unbiased mating program that enables producers to breed more
productive cows with improved functional type while also managing
inbreeding, has bred numerous Jerseys that have also achieved national
acclaim. Bohnerts Berretta
June Fancy, E-94%, produced three lactations over 24,000 lbs. milk and was
Grand Champion at the 1998 Illinois State Fair. Although
Bohnert has achieved success in the show ring they he has also continued
to increase production. In
2003 the herd ranked first for fat, third for production, and fourth for
milk among Jersey herds with 80 to 149 records nationwide.
Bohnert’s 2003 average production on 87 records was 22,129 lbs.
milk, 1,125 lbs. fat, and 799 lbs. protein.
Although
most of his time is spent on the dairy, Bohnert also finds time to be the
Vice President of the Illinois Jersey Cattle Club.
He served for five years on the Scott County DHIA Board of
Directors. For
Bohnert, what started out as a simple 4-H project has truly developed into
a highly successful and nationally recognized Jersey operation.
“Even though he may not have been ‘born under a Jersey cow’,
few can deny his priorities and expression of breed knowledge on a daily
basis,” comments Jeff Ziegler, Dairy Sire Analyst for Select Sires, Inc.
“Scott enjoys the show ring, but still knows that the monthly
milk check is king.”
MARTINS
HONORED WITH YOUNG JERSEY BREEDER AWARD
July
8, 2004, Reynoldsburg, Ohio—Chad and Fran Martin, Tillamook, Ore., were
recently named recipients of the American Jersey Cattle Association’s
(AJCA) Young Jersey Breeder Award. The
Martins were recognized for their accomplishments at the Young Jersey
Breeders’ Banquet held July 1, 2004, in conjunction with the AJCA Annual
Meeting in Seattle, Washington. The
Young Jersey Breeder Award is presented annually to young individuals or
couples who merit recognition for their expertise in dairy farming,
breeding Jersey cattle, participation in AJCA and National All-Jersey Inc.
programs, and leadership in Jersey and other dairy and agriculture
organizations. The
Martins, originally Holstein breeders, moved their herd from the south
valley of California to Tillamook County, Oregon in 1995.
After the move, they soon realized that due to the strong cheese
market in Tillamook, the dairy would be much more profitable if they
milked Jerseys. Since, they
have made the conversion and become a Registered Jersey herd under the
prefix Cal-Mart Jerseys. Working
in partnership with his father, Norman Martin, Chad is responsible for
feeding, A.I. matings and breeding, ration formulation, field management,
and sick cow care. Fran is
responsible for the calf management and maintains a mortality rate that is
below 2%. Chad
has developed a feeding regimen and intense breeding objectives to
significantly increase the herd’s production.
As a result, the farm ranked second for milk, third for fat, and
third for protein in Jersey herds with 300 or more records nationwide.
Average production at Cal-Mart for 2003 was 21,663 lbs. milk, 1,001
lbs. fat, and 746 lbs. protein. Since
moving to Tillamook, the Martins have made numerous improvements to the
dairy including installing the first rotary parlor in Tillamook County.
Chad has also remodeled the commodity shed, freestall and calf
barns, and is currently in the final stages of building a new dry and sick
cow facility. The
Martins are enrolled in the AJCA’s REAP (registrations, Equity,
appraisal, and performance testing) program.
As a result, the Martins are also able to utilize JerseyMate™,
the AJCA’s unbiased mating program that enables producers to breed more
productive cows with improved functional type, while also managing
inbreeding. The
Martins are on the Steering Committee Board for the Tillamook County
Creamery Association Young Cooperators.
Chad is also on the Tillamook FFA Advisory Board while Fran is the
assistant 4-H leader and the Youth Advisor and Secretary for the Tillamook
County Jersey Club.
DAVID
AND KIMBERLY SEALS HONORED WITH YOUNG JERSEY BREEDER AWARD
July
8, 2004, Reynoldsburg, Ohio—David and Kimberly Seals, Cloverdale, Ore.,
were recently named recipients of the American Jersey Cattle
Association’s (AJCA) Young Jersey Breeder Award.
The couple was recognized for their accomplishments at the Young
Jersey Breeder’s Banquet held July 1, 2004, in conjunction with the AJCA
Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington. The
Young Jersey Breeder Award is presented annually to young individuals or
couples who merit recognition for their expertise in dairy farming,
breeding Jersey cattle, participation in AJCA and National All-Jersey Inc.
programs, and leadership in Jersey and other dairy and agriculture
organizations. David’s
lifelong career with Jerseys began at age four with the purchase of his
first Registered Jersey™ calf that helped lay the foundation for his
impressive breeding program. After
his graduation from Oregon State in 1995, David returned to the family
farm in southwestern Oregon and Kimberly joined the Seals family in 1997.
David
and Kimberly work alongside David’s parents, Smokey and Joanne, along
with his brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Jenny, at Sun Valley Jerseys.
The couple was instrumental in the decision to move the farm to
Cloverdale and expand the herd from 180 head to 380, using only their own
replacements. David and
Kimberly own 50 milking animals in the herd, and are now involved in a
partnership that will eventually result in ownership of the famous Rebob
Jersey herd. Today
at Sun Valley, David is responsible for dry treating cows, milking and
treating hospital cows, monitoring dry cows and heifers for calving,
formulating feed rations for milking cows and heifers, and overseeing
seeing the reproduction program, along with recommending matings for cows
and heifers. The
couple has a goal to breed cows that are both profitable to milk and
marketable to other breeders. They
want their cows to be pleasing to look at and profitable to milk producing
large volumes of milk and high component percentages.
These goals have helped to develop seven Excellent home-bred cows,
one bull in an A.I. testing program, and two young cows that are
contracted for bulls. Sun
Valley Jerseys is enrolled in the AJCA’s REAP (registrations, Equity,
appraisal, and performance testing) program and participate in the Jersey
Regional Young Sire Sampling Program, breeding 30% of the herd to young
sires. David
serves on the Board of the Tillamook County DHIA and is President of Great
Western Jersey Sires, Inc., while Kim is active with the local Dairy Women
Chapter. “Dave
and Kim’s roles on the farm and within the community are an integral
part of why Sun Valley is a success,” comment Don and Desi Josi of
Wilsonview Dairy. “Dave and
Kim exude the enthusiasm, intelligence, and dedication to dairy farming
that leads to breed leaders for our Jersey cow and valuable leaders within
the agriculture community.” The
American Jersey Cattle Association was organized in 1868 and has provided
herd identification and production recording services since 1928.
The only dairy breed organization to show continuous growth over
the past decade, the AJCA is delivering service for approximately 98,000
cows on performance programs. An
average of 69,826 animals have been recorded in the most recent 3-year
period. For more information
on the association’s complete line of services for dairy business
owners, visit the website at www.USJersey.com or call 614/861-3636.
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