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Click here for archives from 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 Jersey in the News: Historic vote ends bull semen import ban (Jersey Evening Post, 7/19/08); Jersey Cow at Center of Ground-Breaking Surgery (Kansas State University release, 3/27/08) NAJ milk marketing reports: Weekly Market Update, Equity Newsletter, Milk and Component Outlook To receive News Releases by email, click here. Updated August 28, 2008
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JERSEY GAINS TWO DAYS OF PRODUCTIVE LIFE Reynoldsburg, Ohio, August 27, 2008—After the August 2008 USDA genetic summaries, Jersey continues to be the leader for Productive Life among the six dairy breeds evaluated in the United States.
This was a gain of two days over the USDA-AIPL
summary issued this past April. By comparison, the weighted average
Productive Life (PL) for 3,265,113 cows of the other five breeds born in
the same period is 27.7 months, or 844 days. By breeds, average PL for
Ayrshires is 956 days (12,011 cows); Brown Swiss, 934 days (28,939 cows);
Guernsey, 806 days (17,026 cows); Holstein, 843 days (3,204,339 cows); and
Milking Shorthorn, 934 days (2,798 cows). The trait of Productive Life (PL) is defined
as “time in the milking herd before removal by voluntary culling,
involuntary culling, or death.” Its evaluation combines information from
direct longevity (measured by DHI data on calving dates, disposal dates,
reasons for disposal and lactation lengths) with correlated traits. Cows with multiple lactations get more total
credit than cows with just one long lactation. According to AIPL
scientists, this is because “cows that begin a next lactation generally
are more profitable than those that continue the previous lactation
because a new peak yield is achieved.” As a cow's lactation is extended,
the value credited to her production is diminished. Cows having opportunity to reach eight (8)
years of age are considered a completed observation, but continue to add
credits for productive life after this point. Productive Life is a key component of the USDA Net Merit functions. For
Jerseys, it receives 18% of total emphasis for NM$ and FM$, and 14% for
CM$. In Jersey Performance Index™,
Productive Life is weighted at 12%. Expo's
2008 Virtual Farm Tours To Feature OREGON’S
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![]() Photo © 2008 David Nevala for Organic Valley Family of Farms. |
The video tour, narrated by Dan Bansen (pictured at left with wife Judy), will start at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1 in Mendota Room 1 of the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis. The American Jersey Cattle Association is the program sponsor. |
The story of Forest Glen Jerseys is how one family—Stan and Dora Bansen,
succeeded by their son, Dan, and now his daughter, Jamie—thoughtfully
and actively built a herd of unregistered dairy cows into a highly
profitable milk producing business that is also a globally recognized
brand of Registered Jersey™ genetics based on their performance in other
herds.
Building value requires understanding what “value” is from the perspective of the customer. The Bansens are equally attentive to both groups of customers they serve: the buyers of Forest Glen cattle and semen, and the consumers of milk and other dairy products.
Value has been built through animal ID and continuous registration, production testing, type evaluation, investments in superior genetics (both semen and strategic female purchases) and advertising and promotion.
The herd, started in 1946, was one of the first to be registered with the American Jersey Cattle Association through its Genetic Recovery program. Today, Forest Glen Jerseys includes 1,300 cows in two separate herds managed by Jamie Bansen and Robert Kircher. Production in 2007, on a 305-day lactation basis, averaged 16,568 lbs. milk, 723 lbs. fat and 600 lbs. protein per cow. Twenty-one (21) of the Top 200 cows ranked by Jersey Performance Index™ (JPI™) make their home at Forest Glen.
Forest Glen has been one of the top breeders of Jersey bulls for A.I. over the past two decades; eight Forest Glen bulls are now in Active A.I. service, two of which are in the top 10 ranked by JPI™.
Cattle have been regularly marketed at state, regional and national sales. Forest Glen females have topped the National Heifer Sale three times, and The All American Jersey Sale twice. Exports have been made to buyers in Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and several countries in South America.
Twelve years ago, the operation transitioned to organic production with milk now marketed through Organic Valley-CROPP. The herd is managed on intensive grazing as much as possible and fed TMR the balance of the year.
Dan Bansen currently serves on the Oregon Dairy Air Quality Task Force and as chairman of Farmer's Cooperative Creamery. He is a past director of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc.
Other Virtual Farm Tours feature dairy businesses located in Michigan, New York, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada. They are being sponsored by AgSource Cooperative Services, BASF Plant Science LLC, Barenbrug USA, Cover-All Building Systems Inc., Page & Pedersen, Inc., Semex Alliance, and Vita Plus Corporation. There is no charge for these programs.
World Dairy Expo opens Tuesday, September 30, with the Central National Jersey Show beginning that afternoon at 1:00 p.m. in the Coliseum. The cow show starts at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday morning and concludes with selection of the Grand Champion by judge Ron Rider, Upton, Ky.
The Top of the World Jersey Sale moves to a new day and time at this year’s Expo. It kicks off at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday in the IGENITY® Sale Pavilion. Jersey Marketing Service, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, is the sale manager.
The American Jersey Cattle Association exhibit, located in the Coliseum at Arena Level 101, will be open throughout Expo.
For the complete schedule of events at the 2008 World Dairy Expo, visit its web site.
MARION BARLASS NAMED
2008 WORLD DAIRY EXPO
DAIRY WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Reynoldsburg, Ohio, August 12, 2008—Marion Barlass, Janesville, Wis., will be honored as the 2008 Dairy Woman of the Year on October 1 by World Dairy Expo, the world’s largest dairy industry event held annually in Madison, Wis.
This
award has been presented since 1973 to a woman who is an active dairy
producer and whose primary source of income is derived from the dairy
enterprise. Selection criteria include excellence in progressive
management practices, efficient milk production and breeding of quality
dairy animals; and involvement in the community, government activities,
marketing organizations, World Dairy Expo and other aspects of the dairy
industry.
“The
Jersey community worldwide is thrilled that Marion has been selected for
this great honor,” says Neal Smith, Executive Secretary and CEO of the
American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. “Her
story is one of great intelligence applied to build a strong, profitable
family business, of determination to influence the markets for the
farm’s products, and of paying back to the community and industry at
every possible turn for the opportunities they have afforded her.”
Marion Barlass grew up on
a large Jersey farm in northwestern Wisconsin, Owens Farms Inc. She was
very involved with 4-H, registered Jersey projects and other dairy
activities while she was growing up, even being selected as the 1971
National Jersey Queen.
As
a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Marion was one of the
first women on the dairy judging team, and was second runner-up in 1972
for Alice in Dairyland, Wisconsin’s dairy ambassador. She graduated in
1974 with a B.S. in Home Economics and Education Extension, and then
worked as the Dane County Home Economist for about two years before
marrying Bill Barlass and joining the operation at Barlass Jerseys, near
Janesville.
Bill and Marion later
purchased the farm and continued to build the herd. They milked about 100
cows in a 63-stall barn until 2000, when they built a milking parlor and
gradually expanded the all-registered herd. Today about 360 milking cows
are housed in two freestall barns and milked through a swing 16
DairyMaster parlor, installed late in 2007. Dry cows are also housed at
the home farm in a new Coverall barn on a bedded pack. A 3.25 million
gallon concrete manure pit, commodity shed, and improvements to the feed
storage area are other additions to the farm. The Barlass family also
grows alfalfa, corn, soybeans, wheat, and canning crops on about 560
acres.
Marion is an invaluable part of the farm’s day-to-day management and long-term future. In addition to handling all of the financial records, she takes care of the bi-weekly herd health, the monthly DHI testing, and works closely with the OvSynch breeding program. She also does most of the heat detection and works with the young calves, particularly processing newborn calves.
The Barlass herd is among the top producing
Jersey herds in the United States. Its 2007 AJCA lactation average of 19,870
lbs. milk, 935 lbs. fat and 707 lbs. protein ranked fourth for fat
and ninth for protein among herds with 150-299 records.
The farm is continually visited by 4-H, FFA, and collegiate judging students and hosts dairy tours from China, Kenya, Serbia and many other countries during World Dairy Expo and throughout the year.
Her drive and passion for the dairy industry go far beyond the borders of the dairy operation. “Those who have worked with Marion know that if you want to get something done and get it done right, ask Marion to do it,” notes Calvin Covington, CEO of Southeast Milk Inc., Belleview, Fla. “That is why, be it serving as the local 4-H club leader or on a cooperative board, people ask Marion to serve and she does so willingly.”
Marion has served as Treasurer and Board member for Alto Dairy and is in her second term as a Director of the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW), also serving as its Secretary. She was the first woman ever to serve as president of the Wisconsin Jersey Breeders Association, and was editor of the Wisconsin Jersey Booster for 15 years.
All
three of the Barlass children have been winners
of the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest and all are making a
living in the dairy business today. Brian returned to the home farm in
1999 and became a partner with his parents. Kristin joined the staff of
the national Jersey organizations in June of 2002 and works directly with
Jersey owners across the country to improve profitability through use of
USJersey programs and services. Brett graduated from university in the
spring of 2007, and is herd manager for a 2,000-cow Registered Jersey™
operation in California.
The World Dairy Expo Dairy Woman of the Year award is sponsored by Furst-McNess, Monsanto Dairy Business and Select Sires, Inc.
Tickets for the 2008 World Dairy Expo Dinner with the Stars on October 1 are $25 and must be ordered prior to September 15. For reservations, call 608-224-6455. For additional information, including a daily schedule of events for World Dairy Expo, go to www.worlddairyexpo.com.
Other honorees at the banquet will be Charles, George, Tom and Mark Crave of Waterloo, Wis., 2008 World Dairy Expo Dairymen of the Year; the 2008 Industry Person of the Year, Dr. Michael Hutjens, Urbana, Ill.; and the 2008 International Person of the Year, Dr. Hubertus Diers, Altenberge Westfalia, Germany.
AT JERSEY MARKETING SERVICE
Dan
Bauer promoted to Manager of national marketing company,
Louie Cozzitorto tapped as Assistant Manager
Reynoldsburg,
Ohio, August 15, 2008—Neal
Smith, Executive Secretary and CEO of National All-Jersey Inc., today
announced the promotion of two staff members to new management
responsibilities for NAJ subsidiary, Jersey Marketing Service.
Daniel
S. Bauer, who joined the JMS staff in June of 2006 as its Assistant
Manager, has been promoted to company Manager, effective August 15. Louie
M. Cozzitorto was promoted to JMS Assistant Manager. He joined the
USJersey organizations staff in June 2007.
“I am very proud to
announce these promotions, which have the full support of the elected
leadership of National All-Jersey Inc. and the American Jersey Cattle
Association,” said Smith.
“With the opening
created by Herby Lutz’s departure from the staff, we looked first within
the company at the talent we have been developing,” the Jersey CEO
continued. “Dan and Louie have each demonstrated the ability to work
hard and consistently deliver the high level of service expected by JMS
clients.
“They have earned these
opportunities to expand their responsibilities. We expect only continued
success from them in the months and years to come.”
As manager, Bauer will be
responsible for all day-to-day operations of Jersey Marketing Service,
which serves sellers and buyers of Jersey cattle and genetics through
private treaty and public sale management. He will continue to work as a
cow-side evaluator for the AJCA Linear Type Traits Appraisal as time
permits.
In addition to his
expanded responsibilities with Jersey Marketing Service, Cozzitorto will
continue as a type traits program evaluator and provide general field
service for the AJCA.
Through the first seven
months of 2008, Jersey Marketing Service has generated gross sales of $5.4
million, with 11 public auctions of Registered Jersey™ cattle on the
books for the remainder of the year.
"I
am extremely excited about the opportunity to expand my role within the
Jersey organizations and work in a different capacity with the entire team
of talented and dedicated employees,” said Bauer. “I feel in today's
markets, the demand for the Jersey cow has never been stronger. I believe
in the future, that by working with Jersey breeders across the country,
Jersey Marketing Service will continue to increase the value of Jersey
genetics everywhere.”
JERSEY
ORGANIZATIONS ANNOUNCE EXPANDED RESPONSIBILITIES FOR KRISTIN PAUL AND RON
MOSSER
Reynoldsburg,
Ohio, August 15, 2008—The
American Jersey Cattle Association today announced expanded
responsibilities for two members of its field-based staff, as the
organization responds to greater demand for its identification and breed
improvement services while also introducing new on-farm services over the
next year.
Kristin
Barlass Paul, Janesville, Wis., was named Field Service Coordinator for
the AJCA and its affiliate, National All-Jersey Inc. Ron Mosser, Geneva,
Ind., was named Senior Appraiser for the AJCA Linear Type Traits Appraisal
Program.
“These
assignments reflect the continuing commitment our organizations have made
to deliver the highest level of service to Jersey owners while also
promoting breed growth and expansion in the United States, ” said Neal
Smith, Executive Secretary and CEO of the USJersey organizations.
“I
am pleased that Kristin and Ron have agreed to take on these new
challenges,” Smith continued. “The expansion of their roles reflects
the significant contributions they have made to our recent growth, and the
respect they have earned from their peers and customers.
Paul,
who joined the field staff in June of 2002, assumes the responsibility of
managing a team of 12 staff located across the United States and
coordinating the on-farm delivery of AJCA and NAJ services. She will
continue to provide service to Jersey herds located in northern California
and Wisconsin.
Since
joining the AJCA staff in January of 2002, Ron Mosser has appraised nearly
57,000 Jersey cows, or 13% of all U.S. Jersey cows evaluated over this
time period. He will be responsible for cow-side training of the appraisal
team and program delivery on farms.
“We will have more
exciting developments in services and staff to announce in the near
future, as we anticipate completing one of the best years in our 141-year
history,” the Jersey CEO added.
The
American Jersey Cattle Association, organized in 1868, compiles and
maintains animal identification and performance data on Jersey cattle and
provides services that support genetic improvement and greater
profitability through increasing the value of and demand for Registered
Jersey™ cattle and genetics. The flagship program is REAP, a
comprehensive service package that includes registration, Equity milk
marketing support, type appraisal, and performance testing. Nearly 120,000
cows are currently enrolled on all AJCA performance evaluation programs
and new records are being set each month for REAP herd enrollment in 2008.
For
more information on USJersey services designed to increase commercial
profitability with Jersey cattle, call 614/863-3636 or visit the web site
at www.USJersey.com.
NATIONAL
JERSEY QUEEN TO BE
SELECTED DURING THE ALL AMERICAN
Reynoldsburg, Ohio, August 11, 2008—The 54th National Jersey Queen will be selected Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the conclusion of Junior Day activities at The All American Jersey Shows and Sale, held annually in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition, Louisville, Ky.
The 2008-09 National
Jersey Queen will begin her reign when she is introduced with a court of
two alternates at the beginning of the National Jersey Jug Futurity on
November 9. Later that evening, they will assist with The 56th
All American Jersey Sale, then preside over The All American Jersey Show,
the world’s largest Jersey show, on Monday, November 10.
She will succeed the
reigning Queen, Rachel White, of New Castle, Indiana.
Financial support is
provided by the National Jersey Queen Development Fund. Major funding for
this effort comes from proceeds of a donation heifer sold each year at a
national Jersey sale. This year’s heifer, TC Militia 1244 Jayne, was
donated by Kevin Lutz, Treasure Chest Jerseys of Lincolnton, N.C. She sold
in the National Heifer Sale on June 28 for $4,400 to Maisey Wells,
Leicester, N.C.
There are three
eligibility requirements to compete for honor of National Jersey Queen.
Contestants must be at least 16 years of age but not older than 20 on
January 1, 2008. They must be either a current state or regional Jersey
queen, or be an exhibitor at the 2008 Western National Jersey Show or The
All American Junior Jersey Show. All contestants must be a Junior Member
in good standing or Lifetime Member of the American Jersey Cattle
Association.
Candidates for National
Jersey Queen are evaluated on the quality of their application, interview,
general dairy and Jersey breed knowledge, and public speaking, both
prepared and extemporaneous. Each of the contest elements is described on
the USJersey website at www.usjersey.com/YouthProgram/natlqueen.htm.
Applications must be received in the AJCA office on or before October 15.
Judging begins on Friday, November 7.
The National Jersey Queen
represents the Jersey community throughout the year at local, state and
national events, including the AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings.
For
more information about participating in or supporting the National Jersey
Queen development program, contact
Dr. Cherie L. Bayer, Director of Development, at 614/861-3636, extension
334, or email cbayer@usjersey.com with “Queen” in the subject line.
APPLICATIONS
FOR BASTIN-NAILE SCHOLARSHIP
DUE SEPTEMBER 30
Louisville,
Ky., August 4, 2008—A high school
senior exhibiting dairy cattle at the 2008 North American International
Livestock Exposition will be selected to receive the sixth Garland
Bastin-NAILE Scholarship of $500 on November 8 during the NAILE Junior
Dairy Banquet in Louisville, Ky.
The
scholarship honors the memory of Garland Bastin, extension specialist in
animal science at the University of Kentucky and NAILE General
Superintendent for 27 years from the show's founding until his death in
2000. He was an individual with the highest integrity who truly loved
young people. And, he believed that exhibitors of animals at livestock
shows should at all times conduct themselves with honesty and good
sportsmanship.
All
high school seniors exhibiting at least one animal in the NAILE junior
dairy shows, including The All American Junior Jersey Show, are eligible
to apply.
Applications
must be postmarked no later than September 30, 2008 and include a 500-word
essay on “The Importance of Show Ring Ethics When Exhibiting Dairy
Cattle.” A copy of the student’s official high school transcript and
letter of recommendation from the student’s 4-H agent or FFA advisor or
other high school teacher must also be included.
The
winner will be selected on the basis of academic and personal achievements
(35%), involvement with dairy cattle (30%), and the essay (35%). Entries
will be judged by a panel of livestock industry professionals, whose
decision will be final.
The
recipient must be available for the award presentation during the NAILE
Junior Dairy Banquet on November 8. Payment of the $500 scholarship will
be made upon proof of acceptance for enrollment in a college or other
institute of higher learning.
For
the application form and details, see the NAILE
website or contact Jeff Zinner,
NAILE Assistant Manager, at P.O. Box 36367, Louisville, KY 40233, phone
502-595-3166.
CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY TO RECORD
THE 100,000TH JERSEY WITH TAG ID IN 2008
Tulare, California, February 12,
2008—The American Jersey Cattle Association, in tandem with animal ID leader Allflex, today announced a campaign to record the 100,000th Registered Jersey™ identified by double-matching approved ear tags during 2008.
The milestone, which coincides with the association’s 140th anniversary, will be marked by awarding the animal’s owner a year’s supply of Double Matched Pair sets of JerseyTags™ with HDX High Performance EID tags, up to a maximum of 500 sets, plus a stick reader from Allflex USA Inc.
According to Executive Secretary and CEO Neal Smith, orders for the AJCA’s line of JerseyTags™ manufactured by Allflex have grown at double-digit rates annually, with just under 100,000 sets sold in 2007.
“The primary reason AJCA members have adopted eartag identification,” Smith said, “is that the foundation for maximizing profitability with Jerseys is accurate, verifiable animal identification.”
Not only is positive ID a requirement for day-to-day herd management, the Jersey executive explained, it’s also vital for Jersey breeders who want to increase to their income by marketing Registered Jerseys™.
“High-visibility eartag ID and increasingly electronic ID is a requirement of the people who purchase through our cattle marketing company, Jersey Marketing Service,” said Smith. “Buyers are paying for pedigree and performance information and they expect it to be linked up through the animal’s identification number.
“The Allflex tag technologies, combined with the services available from the USJersey organizations, make it all possible.”
The American Jersey Cattle Association has recorded over 68,000 animals identified by approved eartags since its members overwhelmingly approved new rules for registration five years ago. The Allflex Tamperproof™ tag line is the only product approved by the AJCA for that purpose.
“Milk producers like the flexibility of tailoring our tags to meet their needs and reduce mistakes,” said Jon Becerril, national sales manager for Allflex USA, Inc. “That is why the Double Matched Pair set including an EID tag is particularly popular. It delivers a combined visual and electronic solution for identification that is visible from nearly every angle.
“Advanced animal ID doesn’t cost,” Becerril noted, “it pays. We are proud to be a partner with the USJersey organizations in bringing the number one livestock identification system in the world to its customers.”
About American Jersey Cattle Association
Organized in 1868, the American Jersey Cattle Association is the oldest dairy breed registry organization in the United States. The AJCA compiles and maintains animal identification and performance data on over 120,000 Jersey cattle and provides services that support genetic improvement and greater profitability through increasing the value of and demand for Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics, and Jersey milk and milk products. More information about the USJersey organizations, including National All-Jersey Inc. and Jersey Marketing Service, is available at www.usjersey.com.
About Allflex
Backed by a global network of experts and more than 50 years of experience in animal identification, Allflex is the world leader in design, technology, manufacturing and delivery of animal identification for traceability systems across all production animal species and companion animals. The company brings cutting-edge, practical applications of visual, electronic and radio frequency animal identification technology to livestock industries across the world, contributing to a safer global food supply. Allflex has manufacturing and technology subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and China with products are distributed in 80 countries. Visit www.allflexusa.com for more information.