Generation Count Recording System

Through the Generation Count program, you can record:

• Animals that exhibit the characteristics of Jersey cattle but lack complete documentation of parentage, and
• Animals that have one known and AJCA-recorded Jersey parent and a parent of another breed.

How does Generation Count work?

• Females are recorded at all Generation Counts.
• Generation Count {1} is assigned to the female that has one known parent (sire or dam) recorded by the AJCA. The other parent may be completely unknown or of another breed. If both parents are unknown, the animal may be qualified for recording by being genotyped.
• Bulls may be recorded starting at Generation Count {5} with the stipulations that the bull is genotyped and has a Breed Base Representation (BBR) value of 100 and that its sire and dam are also genotyped. (as of January 1, 2023)
• The numerical designation for progeny will increase by one (1) from the Generation Count of the sire or dam, whichever is lowest.
• Progeny of Generation Count {6} parents have Herd Register status and do not have a suffix in their registration names.
• When an unknown animal or animal of another breed is introduced to an animal’s pedigree, the Generation Count will be reset to start at {1}.

How should I permanently identify animals before recording them?

Use either ear tattoo or AJCA-approved double-matching tamper-evident eartags.

If tattoos are used, the tattoo must have at least one number and one letter (other than I, O, Q, or V) in at least one ear (AJCA Voluntary Tattoo Program).

If eartags are preferred, you must use matched set of AJCA-approved tamper-evident tags. The information printed on these tags--the animal ID number, state of origin and herd management number--will be identical. The animal ID may be up to 15 digits in length.

Living animals must be properly identified by one of these methods before they can be recorded. For dead animals, tattoos (and also birth dates) can be approximate.

How do I complete the applications?

Assign the animal a name, even if she has always been identified by number. (Her number may be used as part of her name.) You must provide the tattoo(s) or complete national ID number (up to 15 digits) as it appears on the AJCA-approved eartag. Also list the birth date, even if estimated.

Note: If the cow has been on DHI test with an eartag number, also provide the USDA eartag. This is critical for USDA and AJCA to link the cow's registration number with the eartag number in order to correctly access production information and genetic evaluations. When a grade cow receives an AJCA registration number, her identification on DHIA test should be changed from the eartag number to her registration number in order for her PTAs to be received and used by the AJCA.

Provide parentage information, in as much detail as possible: sire name and registration number or NAAB stud code; dam name and registration number. Specify breed if not Jersey.

Animals will be recorded with the Generation Count name suffix that indicates how many generations of known and AJCA-recorded ancestors are in the pedigree.

A Certificate of Identification (gold border) will be issued for animals at Generation Counts 1, 2 and 3. Generation Count 4, 5 and 6 animals are issued the Certificate of Registration (green border).

How much does it cost to record animals?

Refer to the Fees for Programs and Services. Fees are discounted (1) for American Jersey Cattle Association members or junior members, (2) when processed on infoJersey.com, and (3) when submitted in batch electronic files (Excel spreadsheet, report downloaded from herd management software, or field-delimited text file). Contact Herd Services for details.