TOP RESEARCHER TO HEADLINE FIRST JERSEY RESEARCH SUMMIT

February 9, 2005, Reynoldsburg, Ohio—Kent A. Weigel, the 2003 recipient of the Outstanding Young Scientist Award from the American Dairy Science Association, will be the featured speaker at the first Jersey Breeders' Research Summit on March 5 in Columbus, Ohio.

Sponsored by the AJCC Research Foundation, the summit will identify research needs from the producers' perspective, then discuss priorities relative to breeding and management of Jersey cattle and the production and marketing of Jersey milk.

Jersey dairy business owners, dairy industry personnel and academic researchers are invited to the open session starting at 4:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn-Columbus Airport. The summit is being held in conjunction with the winter meetings of the directors of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc.

Dr. Weigel is the author of 66 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 38 popular press articles, including publications in Hoard's Dairyman and Jersey Journal. He has received research grants from the AJCC Research Foundation in each of the six most recent funding cycles. Those studies included evaluation of computerized mating programs for managing inbreeding, a groundbreaking study of the relationship between linear type traits and culling risk, and evaluating the performance of Jersey-sired calves out of Holstein dams.

Reservations are not required, but would be appreciated. The Holiday Inn Airport is located at 750 Stelzer Road in Columbus.

Founded in 1967, the AJCC Research Foundation has provided seed money for well-designed scientific investigations related to high-priority areas affecting the Jersey breed of dairy cattle:

• Nutrition of high-producing Jerseys (particularly practical feeding methods to maximize production of valuable milk components);

• Factors affecting yield of products manufactured from Jersey milk;

• Factors affecting net income, longevity, and lifetime profit;

• Breeding plans to optimize genetic gain while maintaining genetic diversity;

• Biological and economic efficiencies of Jerseys; and

• Factors affecting management of Jersey calves.

Nearly $600,000 in grants have been awarded by the Foundation since 1988.

Contact Cari Wolfe, Director of Research and Genetic Programs Development, for more information.