The AJCC Research Foundation has issued a request for research proposals to be funded in 2008 addressing significant issues for the Jersey breed and Jersey milk producers. Application deadline is December 1, 2007. The Research Advisory Committee of the American Jersey Cattle Association will evaluate the proposals, then forward its recommendations to the AJCA Board of Directors, which will award funds at its meeting in March, 2008.

Submissions are evaluated for (a) merit (e.g., potential to advance practical knowledge, creative approach to the problem); (b) competence (i.e., high probability of successful completion within the proposed time frame); and (c) relevance (e.g., problem derived from one of the areas of research priority).

Current priorities for research funding are:

· 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.