Member Recognition
AJCA Master Breeder, Distinguished Service, Meritorious Service and Young Jersey Breeders, 2026
Each June, the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. present some of its highest member recognition awards, including the Master Breeder, Distinguished Service, Meritorious Service Awards, and the Young Jersey Breeder Awards. Below are the 2026 award recipients.
Tommy Allen, Wis.
Young Jersey Breeder recipient: Tommy Allen and is wife Amanda and Ethan Haywood, presenting the award.
Mitchell Endres
& Sydney Flick, Wis.
Brother/Sister team of Mitchell and Sydney Endres with their families and presenting director Ted DeMent.
Neal Frerichs, Texas
Neal Frerichs, received his young breeder award from his father, Ralph.
Kristen and Corey Metcalf, Wis.
Ethan Haywood, AJCA Director, presented Kristen and Corey Metcalf with the Young Jersey Breeder Award.
Rose & Michelle Morian, Pa.
Rose and Michelle Morian of Pennsylvania were also named recipients of the Young Jersey Breeder Award. Unfortunately bad weather stranded them in Chicago and they were unable to make it to Springfield.
Brent Rocha was another recipient of the Young Jersey Breeder award in 2026. Due to his upcoming wedding to Jersey breeder Erin Leach, Brent was unable to attend. He sent along words to be shared for his acceptance speech by his father Joe.
Photo credit to Cowsmopolitan
Master Breeder:
Lawton's Jersey Farm, N.Y.
The Merle and Margaret Lawton family received this year’s Master Breeder award from the AJCA. Accepting for the family were Tim and Debbie Lawton.
Distinguished Service:
Pat Gourley, Ore.
Pat Gourley of Oregon received the AJCA’s Distinguished Service Award in Springfield, Mo.
Excerpts from his speech.
AJCA-NAJ Award for Meritorious Service:
Erick Metzger, Ohio
Erick Metzger, Hebron, Ohio, received the AJCA-NAJ Award for Meritorious Service in Springfield, Mo., in June. Click here for excerpts from his speech.