Jersey leaders named, youth honored
PrintJersey youth and adults were recognized at the Annual Meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) held June 29 and 30, 2012 in North Conway, N.H.
Below are some highlights from the events.
AJCA leadership named
Chris Sorenson, Pine River, Wis., was elected to a one-year term as President of the American Jersey Cattle Association. Sorenson is a partner in Hillview Jersey Farm, a family corporation formed in 1982. The 850-acre farm is home to a 100-cow Registered Jersey™ herd enrolled on REAP (registration, Equity, type appraisal and performance programs). A five-year director of the AJCA, he was co-chair of the 2011 National Heifer Sale that raised over $300,000 for Jersey Youth Academy.
Elected as Vice President for a one-year term was William Grammer, Sebring, Ohio. Grammer is chair of the AJCA Development Committee and serves as an ex officio director of National All-Jersey Inc.
Corey Lutz, Lincolnton, N.C., was elected to a three-year term as AJCA Director from the Sixth District, succeeding two-term director and retiring Vice President Richard A. Doran, Jr., Newberry, S.C. He and wife Bridgette own and operate Piedmont Jerseys, a 200-cow herd enrolled in AJCA’s REAP program. Lutz is currently president of the North Carolina Jersey Association, associate general chair of The All American Jersey Shows & Sales, and a past chair of the AJCA Type Advisory Committee.
Three sitting Directors were re-elected to a second three-year term: Ralph Frerichs, La Grange, Texas (Eighth District); David Norman, Liberty, Penna. (Third District); and Wesley Snow, Brookfield, Vt. (First District).
Walter Owens, Frederic, Wis., was appointed to fill the Tenth District seat vacated by Chris Sorenson. Owens is a two-time president of the Wisconsin Jersey Breeders Association and currently serves on the Select Sires Inc. Jersey sire committee. He served on the Wisconsin Department of Commerce’s Dairy 20/20 Initiative and more than 30 years on the Polk-Burnett DHI Board, 10 years as president. In 2011, he was a co-chair of the all-donation 54thNational Heifer Sale.
Chairs of standing committees on the AJCA Board for 2012-13 are Jerry Spielman, Seneca, Kans., Finance; Charles Steer, Cottage Grove, Tenn., Breed Improvement; William Grammer, Development; and James Quist, Fresno, Calif., Registration.
National All-Jersey Inc. leaders elected
David Endres, Lodi, Wis., was elected to serve his fourth term as president of National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ).
James S. Huffard III, Crockett, Va., was re-elected NAJ director from District #1, and also the organization’s Vice President for 2012-13. Chairman of the Finance Committee will be Kelvin Moss, Litchfield Park, Ariz.
Youth “TalkJersey” winners named
Judging in the seventh national Jersey public speaking contest, TalkJersey, was conducted on June 27. Contestants could speak about any topic related to Jersey cattle or Jersey milk, including current affairs and dairy industry trends. Presentations were scored on content and organization, language, voice and presentation, and total effectiveness.
First place awards went to Tyler Bohnert, Silvis, Illinois; Payton Youngers, Scipio Center, N.Y.; and Gerret Boer, Dalhart, Texas. Second place awards went to Katarina Emerich, Mooers, N.Y.; and Reagan Emerson, Moravia, N.Y. A third place award went to Amy Stranger, Newfield, N.Y.
In addition to cash awards of $40 for first place, $30 for second and $20 for third sponsored by ABS Global Inc., each participant received certificates. Division winners received an Ideal Jersey duffle presented by the American Jersey Cattle Association.
Results of Jersey Youth Challenge
On June 30, teams coached by an active Jersey breeder were organized to compete in the Jersey Youth Challenge. A total of 31 youth of different ages and from different states participated. Their challenge was to establish goals for a start-up Jersey dairy, then develop a management and marketing plan to achieve those goals. Team members then presented their proposal to a judging panel.
The champion team in the 2012 Challenge was "Money Making Acres.” Members were Billy Grammer, Sebring, Ohio; Shelby Moss, Litchfield Park, Ariz.; Tyler Bohnert; Kim Kubosiak, Brimfield, Mass.; Tristan Phillips, Walpole, N.H.; and Meagan Bolen, Fremont, Ohio. The team was coached by Paul Stanley, East Fairfield, Vt.
"Big Money Jerseys" was the Reserve Champion team. Members were Allison Frerichs, La Grange, Texas; Kayla Carson, New Lebanon Center, N.Y.; Ben Grammer, Sebring, Ohio; Lydia Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y.; Austin Zmrzlik, Fremont, Mich.; and Katarina Emerich, Mooers, N.Y. Alan Chittenden was team coach.
The Honorable Mention teams were:
"Jumping Jerseys": Brian Oster, Canastota, N.Y.; Cassie Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y.; Sidney Avila, Dalhart, Texas; Gerret Boer, Dalhart, Texas; Kylie Lehr, Canastota, N.Y.; and Virginia Patz, Shoreham, Vt., coached by John Kokoski, Hadley, Mass.
"Super Cow Dairy": Sydney Endres, Lodi, Wis.; Meagan Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y.; Anneke Boer, Dalhart, Texas; Regan Moss, Litchfield Park, Ariz.; Jarrett Snow, Brookfield, Vt.; Keagan Carson, New Lebanon Center, N.Y.; and Tabitha Phillips, Walpole, N.H.; Jerry Emerich, Mooers, N.Y., coach.
"Live Free or Die Jerseys”: Logan Karchner, Nescopeck, Penna.; Caitlin Avila, Dalhart, Texas; Sheridan Moss, Litchfield Park, Ariz.; Katelyn Poitras, Brimfield, Mass.; Ryan Lawton, Newark Valley, N.Y.; and Maxwell Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y., coached by Moira Poitras and Scott Carson.
A total of 60 Jersey juniors participated in clinics held June 28 on calf and heifer management and also genetic selection at Harkdale Farms, Newbury, Vt. Steven and Vicky Carson and Family were the hosts.
Information about the national Jersey youth development program is available at www.usjersey.com/YouthProgram/juniors.pdf or by calling 614/322-4456. For more information on the association’s complete line of services for dairy business owners, visit the website at www.USJersey.com or follow the news feed at facebook.com/USJersey.
Cow Pie Bingo raises $7,330 for Jersey Youth Academy
The permanent fund for Jersey Youth Academy added $7,330 from the fourth annual Cow Pie Bingo, held June 30 at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds in Fryeburg, Maine, during the annual meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc.
The heifer for this year’s fundraiser was donated by Rector Jersey Farm, Hilmar, Calif., in memory of influential Jersey breeders and leaders of the American Jersey Cattle Association who have passed away in recent years.
Rectors Merchant Paris 22258 carried a genomic Jersey Performance Index™ of 151. She is sired by Sunset Canyon Merchant-ET, GJPI 176. Her dam by Ahlem Lemvig Abe-ET (GJPI 147) is Very Good-85% with 19,214-967-729 m.e. calving at 1 year, 9 months of age. The fourth dam is Excellent with four records over 21,000 lbs. milk, 1,000 lbs. fat and 800 lbs. protein.
More than 80 individuals and farms made donations of $10, $25 or $50 to select one or more of the 192 squares available. “Paris” chose her new owner by making her “deposit” on a square selected by Elsa Sherman and Janice Rector. They donated the calf to the 55th National Heifer Sale, where she sold for $2,100 to Alex Steer, Dalhart, Texas. All proceeds went to Jersey Youth Academy.
Cow Pie Bingo has now raised $27,900 for the endowment of Jersey Youth Academy.
Applications for the third Jersey Youth Academy, scheduled for July 21-26, 2013, will be posted September 1 and are due November 30, 2012. For more information, visit the Academy web site (academy.usjersey.com), contact program coordinator Dr. Cherie L. Bayer at (614) 322-4456, or write Jersey Youth Academy, 6486 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-2362.
Proposals sought for Jersey research
The AJCC Research Foundation has issued a request for research proposals to be funded in 2013 addressing significant issues for the Jersey breed and Jersey milk producers.
Current priorities for research funding are:
- Nutrition of high-producing Jerseys, particularly practical feeding methods to maximize production of valuable milk components;
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Factors affecting management of Jersey calves;
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Factors affecting yield and/or quality of products manufactured from Jersey milk;
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Factors affecting economic impact of Jerseys: efficiencies, net income, longevity, and lifetime profit;
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Optimizing the genetic basis for improving animal health and/or enhancing product quality;
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Enhancing environmental impact associated with Jerseys;
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New technologies for safe and sustainable food production from Jersey cattle; and
- Feasibility of adding value and increasing consumer acceptance of Jersey-derived products through enhanced product quality and branding.
Application deadline is December 1, 2012. 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 2013.
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).
Since 1988, the Foundation has awarded approximately $878,500 in seed money for selected projects.
Detailed information about the Competitive Grants Program can be found on the web site (www.usjersey.com/programs/researchprogram.html) or requested from Cari W. Wolfe, Director of Research and Genetic Programs Development, at 614/322-4453.
Auction raises $14,390 for Jersey Research Foundation
The endowment of the AJCC Research Foundation increased by $14,390 from proceeds of a benefit auction on June 28. 2012 hosted by William and Gwen Pearl at Pearlmont Farm, Barnet, Vt.
An audience of 400-plus participated in the fun, action-packed event that also included a silent auction. Lynn Lee, Smyrna, Tenn., donated his services for the live auction.
The day’s top bid, $5,500, was for the #7 Eustis Jersey cow sculpture, donated by Frances S. McGinnis, Kinards, S.C., in memory of her husband, past AJCC President and Distinguished Service Award recipient W. Charles McGinnis. C. A. Russell, Hilmar, Calif., was the successful bidder for the model created and hand-painted by Francis Eustis, who will be honored as a Pioneer of National Dairy Shrine in October. In immaculate condition, it was one of 200 commissioned in 1983 by the American Jersey Cattle Club and sold at the All American Sale that year.
An elaborately framed hand-colored etching based on “Alderney” by Edwin Douglas garnered a bid of $2,150 from Elsa Sherman, Hilmar, Calif. The original 1878 painting is held by the Tate Gallery in London, with the restrike etchings being very popular in the United States. Estimated at 120 years old and in extraordinary condition, it was donated by Sheldon Sawyer, Walpole, N.H. Proceeds were split equally between the Research Foundation and the New England Jersey Breeders Association, host of the 2012 AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings.
Bidding was fierce for two breed promotion artworks from the early 1900s. An exact size reproduction of the “Jersey Creamline” milkmaid, a watercolor painting used for advertising by the American Jersey Cattle Club, sold for $1,900 to David Endres, Lodi, Wis.
One of the 100 posters printed in 1905 to publicize the Jersey “Victors in the Dairy Cow Demonstration” at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Mo., was offered by Bryce Elliott and Heather Brigham, Barton, Vt. The final bid of $1,000 was made by auctioneer Lynn Lee for the poster in its original oak frame. The 29” x 30” piece was distributed by the Club to ag experiment stations and other educational institutions.
William Labaki, proprietor of Fazenda Limoeiro outside of São Paulo Brazil, placed a phone bid of $900 for the AJCC Silver Medal presented in 1928 to Pride’s St. Mawes Neoline. The medal was accompanied by an extensive collection of pictures, newspaper clippings, and letters about the cow’s owner, David Storey. It was donated by Dennis Halladay, Western editor for Hoard’s Dairyman from Meridian, Idaho.
Richard Avila, Dalhart, Texas, was an ever-present bidder in both the live and silent auctions, taking home three items for a total of $1,010. These were the 1921 leather-bound and marked catalog from the 1921 Meridale Farm Sale, donated by K. R. and J.A. Nunn of Kingaroy, Queensland, Australia; a framed Schreiber lithograph of Arawana Belle 3rd AJCC 6161, from Bryce Elliott and Heather Brigham; and two High Lawn Farm yearbooks, from 1952 and 1962.
The honor of purchasing the most lots went to Walter and Kathryn Christ, Metamora, Ill. Their selections included a framed Jersey milk ad donated by Paul Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y., for $525, plus catalogs and books donated variously by Dr. David Weickert, West Bend, Wis.; Jim Staley of Shepherdstown, W.Va.; Thomas Benson, New Lebanon Center, N.Y.; and the Nunns. Their purchases totaled $815.
A keepsake box handcrafted by Jerry England, Columbus, Ohio, and donated by Jerry and his wife Paula, brought a $500 bid from Martin Donovan, Portland, Maine. Donovan also purchased a cheese sampler-gift box donated by Cabot Cooperative for $125.
Two more framed artworks were donated by Bryce Elliott and Heather Brigham, each bringing bids of $200. The print of Winsome Pinny by Eugene Hoy for Purina went to Benny Rector, Hilmar, Calif., while Heather Lord, Lee, Mass., took the 1955 ideal Jersey cow painting by Edwin Megargee.
Other items sold were a framed Jersey breed promotion ad donated by Paul Chittenden, and purchased for $400 by Steve and Lynda Bachelor, Angola, Ind. Catalogs donated by Jerry, Wanda and Katarina Emerich, Mooers, N.Y., generated $165 from Alex Steer, Dalhart, Texas, and Lynn Lee. Other catalogs donated by Jim Staley in memory of his father, Tom, brought a total of $205 from Yvonne Parmley, Brighton, Colo.; Brad Barham, Columbus, Ohio; and Phil Gordon, Syracuse, Ind. Linda Peterson, Burbank, Ohio, bid $45 to purchase the 1922-23 Jersey Island Herd Book that was in the Elm Hill Farm library, donated by Scott and Moira Poitras, Brimfield, Mass.
Established in 1967, the AJCC Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) permanent trust operated exclusively to promote and sponsor scientific research in the dairy industry. Gifts assigned to the use of the Foundation are deductible for Federal estate and gift purposes, and may be made at any time.
Next year’s benefit auction will be held in conjunction with the annual meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. in Amarillo, Texas.
To discuss donations for the 2013 Benefit Auction, contact auction coordinator Dr. Cherie Bayer at 614/322-4456.
