Posted: September 17, 2007 at 4:41 pm
By News Editor
Young people in the dairy industry continue to amaze me with their outstanding achievements. Like these ten young Jersey breeders who have been selected for recognition in the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest, sponsored annually since 1957 by the American Jersey Cattle Association, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
The contest honors outstanding achievement by junior Jersey breeders in four areas: work with Registered JerseysT, related dairy activities, relative progress, and future goals. They were selected from 14 outstanding youth nominated by state Jersey associations, based on their cumulative record through December 31, 2006.
The top three honorees are:
Renée E. Norman, Liberty, Pa., is the winner of the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest for 2006. She is also the recipient of the V. L. Peterson Scholarship presented by the American Jersey Cattle Association for 2007. The daughter of David and Aggie Norman is currently a senior at The Pennsylvania State University, majoring in animal sciences with a business/management option.
Aaron M. Horst, Chambersburg, Pa., ranked second in the contest. He is the son of Kevin and Linda Horst and a junior at Virginia Tech University, majoring in dairy science. He was the recipient of the Fred Stout Experience Award in 2006, completing a summer internship with Jersey Marketing Service.
Katherine Ann Rector of Turlock, Calif., ranked third. The daughter of Benny and Janice Rector is enrolled in her third year at California Polytechnic State University studying dairy science and ag journalism. She was named the Star American Farmer for California FFA in 2006.
The Top 10 include:
Sara LaFever, the 2005 National Jersey Queen who is also a dedicated breeder of Registered JerseysT with significant management responsibilities at her family’s LaLu Farm;
Neal Frerichs, of Frerichs’ Dairy Inc., La Grange, Texas, a recent graduate of Blinn Junior College who has undertaken significant responsibilities for managing the 225-cow operation which includes “The Jersey Barnyard” public touring facility;
Jessica Stiles, Boonsboro, Md., who exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion of the 1998 All American Junior Jersey Show and has developed an outstanding herd that averaged 20,842 lbs. milk, 973 lbs. fat and 747 lbs. protein in 2006;
Christine Lee Wagner, Moscow, Penna., a senior at Delaware Valley College who has excelled for many years as an exhibitor and showman in the state;
Tyler Lee Boyd, Parrottsville, Tenn., a freshman at Vanderbilt University who among numerous accomplishments is the breeder and owner of a Top 200 JPIT cow contracted by major A.I. organizations;
Bradley Frerichs, La Grange, Texas, a successful participant in many Texas dairy cattle judging contests and leader in his local 4-H club; and
Amanda R. Curtis, Anna, Ohio, a graduate of Columbus State Community College with a degree in veterinary technology and the exhibitor of the Supreme Champion of the junior show at last year’s World Dairy Expo.
Posted: September 13, 2007 at 6:05 pm
By News Editor
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
While evaluating cattle at the Ohio State Fair last week, newly minted Vice President of Holstein Association USA Larry Tande commented on issues facing the dairy industry, including the Association’s thoughts on the House Farm Bill proposal passed last month:
Master Breeder: Bestowed annually to a member who has bred outstanding animals for many years making a notable contribution to the advancement of the breed.
Distinguished Service: Bestowed upon members who have rendered outstanding and unselfish service for many years making a notable contribution to the advancement of the breed.
Meritorious Service: Bestowed upon an individual who has made a notable contribution to the advancement of the breed through research, education, development, marketing, or other significant activities of the allied dairy industry.
Young Jersey Breeder: Bestwoed upon members age 28-40 who merit recognition based upon expertise in dairy farming and Jersey breeding, participation in Association programs, and leadership in Jersey and other dairy and agriculture organizations.
Posted: November 19, 2006 at 4:04 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
I always wait to get a picture since they say more than words sometimes. Betty Janine Thompson, Chandler, Okla., has been crowned the 2006 National Jersey Queen. This is Betty and her escort during the All American Show, Brett Barlass. Brett was the winner of the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest this year.
Thompson, active in Jersey youth projects for over 13 years, was presented the crown by 2005 National Jersey Queen Sara LaFever on November 4, 2006 during the All American Junior Banquet in Louisville, Ky. She will represent Jersey breeders throughout the United States for the next year with her participation in events such as the Annual Meeting of the American Jersey Cattle Association, World Dairy Expo and The 55th All American Jersey Show & Sale.
Betty is a high school senior and a concurrent education student at Oklahoma State University considering a double major in animal science and elementary education. Her speaking skills and leadership ability have led to her being elected President of the Oklahoma Junior Jersey Cattle Club, the Northeast District of the Oklahoma 4-H program, and of her senior class at Davenport High School.
The National Jersey Queen contest lasted two days with 11 young women from across the country competing for the coveted crown. Participants had to pass a general dairy knowledge test, were interviewed by a panel of judges, and prepared a two-minute video presentation that demonstrated their ability to represent the Jersey breed through public speaking.
Posted: October 30, 2006 at 6:04 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
At the All American Jersey Show & Sale that’s coming up in Louisville, KY you can show your support for the AJCA Scholarship Fund by bidding on a custom print of “Wide Load Ahead” painting that was unveiled at World Dairy Expo.
Two 16” x 20” archival prints on canvas of the original oil painting have been made by artist Denise Rich of El Cajon, Calif.. She has personally hand-embellished these prints, turning each into a one-of-a-kind artwork. The professionally framed prints will be the first lots to be auctioned at the 54th All American Jersey Sale, starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky on November 5 in Louisville, Ky.(more…)
Posted: September 11, 2006 at 10:54 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
Dairy producers seeking young Registered Jersey™ bulls of exceptional genetic merit for A.I. and/or natural service can locate them in two lists published each quarter by the American Jersey Cattle Association on its website, USJersey.com.
The first report lists all Registered Jersey™ bulls born after January 1, 2004 and assigned an NAAB stud code. It currently includes 276 bulls and is published as an Excel spreadsheet.
The other report lists the top 1,000 AJCA-registered bull calves ranked by Jersey Performance Index™ born within the past year. The current list is of bulls born after June 30, 2005. It is also in Excel format.
Posted: September 11, 2006 at 10:51 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
Award-winning artist Denise Rich of El Cajon, California has posted the first stages of her work on an original oil painting commissioned by the American Jersey Cattle Association.
The centerpiece of “Wide Load Ahead” is a mature Jersey cow, standing sure of her ground and flanked at some distance by two inquisitive herdmates. It is featured on the artist’s web site. The oil on canvas will measure 16” by 20” when completed.
“Wide Load Ahead” will be on display throughout World Dairy Expo, October 3 to 7, in Madison, Wis., in the USJersey exhibit area. It will then be used in a campaign to increase the endowment of the AJCA Scholarship Funds beginning at The All American Jersey Shows & Shows in Louisville, Ky., November 4 through 6.
Posted: September 11, 2006 at 10:44 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
Heartland Jerseys of Seneca, Kansas will be one of nine North American dairy operations to be featured in World Dairy Expo’s 2006 Virtual Farm Tour program.
Owners Jerry and Sue Spielman will narrate a video tour of their farm and answer questions from the audience, starting at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4 in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis. The American Jersey Cattle Association is the program sponsor.
Based on the August, 2006 USDA genetic summaries, Jersey continues to be the leader for Productive Life (PL) among the six dairy breeds evaluated in the United States (including Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein and Milking Shorthorn).
Data published by the USDA Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory (AIPL) show that for cows born in 1997, Jerseys have the longest productive life of 34.4 months, or 1,048 days. A total of 36,669 Jersey cows were included in the evaluation. By comparison, the weighted average Productive Life for 659,675 cows of the other five breeds and born in 1997 is 28.5 months, or 869 days.
For more information on the calculation of Productive Life, see the “Documentation” section of the AIPL website.
You have until January 15th to nominate a great Jersey breeder or breed backer for recognition at 
I always wait to get a picture since they say more than words sometimes. Betty Janine Thompson, Chandler, Okla., has been crowned the 2006 
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Dairy producers seeking young Registered Jersey™ bulls of exceptional genetic merit for A.I. and/or natural service can locate them in two lists published each quarter by the 
