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NATIONAL HEIFER SALE ENTERS RECORD BOOKS,
RAISES OVER $400,000 FOR JERSEY YOUTH AND RESEARCH

 Washington, PA, June 25, 2005--The National Heifer Sale, an annual sale of the nation's top Registered Jersey™ heifers sponsored by the American Jersey Cattle Association, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, made history June 25, 2005 at the fairgrounds in Washington, Penna., when 95 lots sold for $309,900, the highest gross in the event's 48-year history.

With the addition of cash donations and the proceeds from the sale of Jersey historical memorabilia and collectibles provided by breeders and allied industry, plus Jersey associations from across the world, a total of $412,000 was collected.

All of the money was donated to two causes. The national Jersey youth program, the purpose for which the National Heifer Sale was created in 1958, received $25,000. The balance after sale expenses will be donated to the AJCC Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable trust sponsoring scientific research in the dairy industry.

At $3,262.11, the average of the 48th National Heifer Sale was the fifth best in the series' history. Two heifers sold for five figures, the first time that has ever occurred in this sale.

Buyers of Gold Halter Pick Pennsylvania Heifer

The first lot of the National Heifer Sale was not a heifer, but a glittering gold halter.

The 500 people at ringside listened in utter amazement as Jersey Marketing Service manager Herby D. Lutz explained that whoever purchased the halter would have the opportunity to walk out into the barn where the animals were housed and then lead the heifer of his or her choice back into the ring to complete the sale.

With a veteran sales crew arrayed throughout the sale arena, bids and raises came in quickly to auctioneer Lynn Lee of Smyrna, Tenn., and Lutz reading pedigrees. By the time the bidding reached $10,000, it became clear that the contention was between Jim Jenks of Buhl, Idaho at ringside and a phone bid being handled by AJCA-NAJ Area Representative David Brandau.

Brandau was talking to the partnership of Kevin Marcks, Seymour, Wis., and Wade Schoneck, Marion, Wis., who unfailingly countered each and every one of Jenks' raises to win the bidding war at $14,100.

Which heifer? They selected Lot 67, MVF Paramount Golda 1218-ET, consigned by Meadow View Farm, Pine Grove, Penna.

Craig Rhein, chairman for this year's National Heifer Sale, had announced last July that the Rhein Family’s Meadow View herd would offer up its best for this benefit auction. And what a heifer they donated!

"Golda 1218" is one of the Top 300 Heifers in the United States ranked by the AJCA's Jersey Performance Index™ and has a Parent Average Net Merit dollar index of $380. She is a daughter of Rock Ella Paramount-ET out of Ferreira Daniel Golda-ET, Very Good-88% with a record of 2-4 305 19,570 4.8% 936 3.4% 656 94DCR. After completing that record, she entered an intensive flush program and now has six sons in A.I. sampling.

"Golda 1281" has three older sisters, each by a different sire, with two of them scored Excellent and the other VG-87%. The average actual production on their first 305-day lactations exceeds 700 lbs. fat.

The grandam of all four is Golden MBSB of Twin Haven-ET, Excellent-94% and still the U.S. and World Champion for fat production (2,421 lbs., 365 days).

MVF Paramount Golda 1218-ET made a delayed appearance after the Marcks-Schoneck partnership purchased the halter. When it became clear that she would become the all-time high seller of the National Heifer Sale, the glimmering gold halter was slipped on and “Golda 1218” was led into the ring to appreciative applause from the audience.

High Lawn Heifer Sells for $12,500

Befitting a sale of historical significance, the second high seller was donated in memory of 1977 Jersey Master Breeder Marjorie Field Wilde of High Lawn Farm, the highly influential breeding establishment founded in 1934 at Lenox, Mass.

This heifer, too, sparked a bidding war between Pennsylvania's own Hope Acres LLC at Brogue, and Richard Clauss, a past-President of both the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. from Hilmar, Calif.

Sitting at the end of the long runway opposite the auctioneer's box, Clauss simply refused to be outbid for High Lawn Jace Cherie, due in early September to the service of ISDK JAS Artist, JPI +213.

She sold for $12,500.

The daughter of Windy Willow Montana Jace, formerly the number 1 Jersey bull in Active A.I. service, is the fifteenth female descendant of one of High Lawn Farm's foundation cows, High Lawns Hilma. She comes from the "Cherry" branch of the "Hilma" family, with 10 of her direct maternal ancestors earning 100,000 Pound Milk Awards from the Jersey association and the thirteen nearest dams all scoring Very Good or Excellent. Two A.I. sires were produced by her ninth dam, Washington Agent H.L. Cherry.

Also of note are the roots that the high selling heifer has at High Lawn. The sixth dam of MVF Paramount Golda 1218-ET was Daniel Jupiter Gunda, bred by High Lawn and sold in dam in 1983.

Day’s Top Bid Was For 22-Year-Old Cow

Fifteen lots of historical memorabilia and Jersey collectibles were offered during the National Heifer Sale. Of these, the Limited Edition Jersey model cow owned and offered by retired AJCA-NAJ Executive Secretary James F. Cavanaugh brought the most money.

Two groups—the first described as former employees and past-Presidents of the Jersey organizations, the second as family, friends and former Association directors—plus individuals scattered throughout the audience bid against each other for the sculpture, number 29 of the 200 created in 1983.

The groups had greater resources than most individuals, but eventually had to join forces to outbid the competition, with auctioneer Jack Holbrook, Murfreesboro, Tenn., accepting the final bid of $16,000 from the hastily-formed syndicate represented by C. A. Russell of Hilmar, Calif., and Jim Huffard, Crockett, Va.

The pair took possession of the model, then walked to greet Cavanaugh as they announced who had contributed towards the purchase price. With the standing ovation ringing in everyone’s ears, Huffard exclaimed, “Now, Mr. Cavanaugh, we’re going to give you your cow back!”

So they did, to the astonishment of the former Jersey executive.

Prices, donors and purchasers for all heifers and items sold during the National Heifer Sale are published in the web site of the AJCC Research Foundation.

Sponsorship Support

Five auctioneers donated their services to the sale: Larry Benson, New Lebanon, N.Y.; Jack Holbrook, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Larry Kempton, Franklin, Vt.; Lynn Lee, Smyrna, Tenn.; and David Wedertz, Kenton, Ohio.

Dairy industry partners provided generous support for this once-in-a-lifetime event. The Featured Sponsor of the 48^th National Heifer Sale  was Igenity™ from Merial. Fort Dodge Animal Health was the Supporting Sponsor. Post Printing Company of Minster, Ohio, was the Official Printer of the 48^th National Heifer Sale catalog.

Event Sponsors included the Pennsylvania Jersey Cattle Association; Cargill Inc.; Alta Genetics and Jerseyland Sires; the Beef Checkoff Program and the Pennsylvania and New York Beef Councils; and T. C. Jacoby & Company, St. Louis, Mo.

Event support was provided by Ahlem Farms, Hilmar, Calif.; Atlantic Dairy Management Services, Inc., Chestertown, Md.; Bostelman Livestock Transportation, Bainbridge, N.Y.; Mark Brandt, D.V.M., Turlock, Calif.; Cabot Creamery Cooperative Inc., Montpelier, Vt.; Clauss Dairy Farms, Hilmar, Calif.; Donald Collins, D.V.M., Berwick, Maine; Copake Veterinary Hospital, Copake Falls, N.Y.; Jeff Core, Salvisa, Ky.; David and Patricia Endres, Lodi,Wis.; Grantsburg Animal Hospital, Grantsburg, Wis.; Jefferson Veterinary Clinic, Jefferson, Wis.; Dale Kauffman and Family, Shreve, Ohio; Kingdom Animal Hospital, Clear Brook, Va.; Dr. David V. and Bev S. Medic, Clarks Mills, Penna.; Nasco, Ft. Atkinson, Wis.; Dr. Todd Plocher, Salem, Ohio; Jim Rankin, D.V.M., Faunsdale, Ala.; Risius & Associates Veterinary Service, P.C., Eldridge, Iowa; Paul and Dawn Schirm, West Salem, Ohio; Stateline Vet Services, Jeoff Stevens, D.V.M., Darien, Wis.; Bradley Taylor, Booneville, Miss.; Trans World Services, Hilliard, Ohio; Utah Jersey Cattle Association; and Wellington Veterinary Clinic, Wellington, Ohio.

Farm and Dairy, Salem, Ohio, and Farmshine, Brownstown, Penna., provided promotional support for the sale.

The sale was managed by Jersey Marketing Service, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. The American Jersey Cattle Association transferred registration certificates for each heifer in the sale at no charge.

About the AJCC Research Foundation

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.

An advisory committee that includes Jersey producers, dairy scientists, and allied dairy industry representatives evaluates proposals. The final decision on funding is made by the Directors of the American Jersey Cattle Association.

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