News from the American Jersey Cattle Association

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.

Data published by the USDA Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory (AIPL) show that for cows born over a five-year period—1997 through 2001—Jerseys have the longest average productive life of 33.8 months, or 1,031 days. A total of 196,724 Jerseys were included in the evaluation.

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
FOREST GLEN JERSEYS

Reynoldsburg, Ohio, August 11, 2008—Forest Glen Jerseys, Dayton, Oregon, will be one of eight North American dairy operations to be featured in World Dairy Expo’s 2008 Virtual Farm Tour program.

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.

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.

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.

Reynoldsburg, Ohio, August 11, 2008—The 54^th 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 56^th All American Jersey Sale, then preside over The All American Jersey Show, the world’s largest Jersey show, on Monday, November 10.

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.

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.

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.

Expo's 2008 Virtual Farm Tours To Feature OREGON’S FOREST GLEN JERSEYS

Expo's 2008 Virtual Farm Tours To Feature OREGON’S
FOREST GLEN JERSEYS