Wintertime and Jerseys—a combination that paints a beautiful photo. Much of the U.S. has felt cold temperatures and seen snow the past month, but this Jersey heifer takes it all in stride.
Do-N-Joy Chocolatier Cutie-ET, a potential fifth generation Excellent, graces the cover. She is owned by Brooklyn, Bryce and Blakely Kohls, Arlington, Minn. Her fifth dam is the one and only—Huronia Centurion Veronica 20J, Excellent-97%
This issue focuses on the year-end sales analysis of Jerseys sold and reported to the Jersey Journal. It also reports the most popular sires of sons in 2024 and the next class of Jersey Youth Academy.
Photo by Andrew Hetke
To improve and promote the Jersey breed of cattle, and to increase the value of and demand for Jersey milk and for Jersey cattle.
Company and Department Heads
Executive Secretary: Neal Smith, 614/322-4455
Treasurer: Vickie White, 614/322-4452
Director of Field Services: Kristin A. Paul, 209/402-5679
Director of Communications: Kimberly A. Billman, 614/322-4451
Information Technology: Philip Cleary, 614/322-4474
Jersey Marketing Service: Neal Smith, 209/988-0601
Herd Services: Lori King, 614/322-4457
Research & Genetic Program Consultant: John Metzger, jmetzger@usjersey.com
AJCA-NAJ Area Representatives
Director of Field Services: Kristin A. Paul, 209/4025679; 614/322-4495 (fax); kpaul@usjersey.com. Illinois and Wisconsin.
Seth Israelsen, 614/216-9727; sisraelsen@usjersey. com. Advance Services Consultant; Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, western Texas and northern California.
Greg Lavan, 614/216-8838; glavan@usjersey.com. Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Benny Rector, 614/313-5818; brector@usjersey.com. Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
Jason Robinson, 614/216-5862; jrobinson@usjersey. com. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, east Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Willow Voegtlen, 614/266-2419; wvoegtlen@usjersey. com. Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
For assistance in Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon eastern Pennsylvania, Rhode Island Vermont and Washington, contact Kristin Paul
Type Traits Appraisal Team
Senior Appraiser: Ron Mosser, 614/264-0142, rmosser@ usjersey.com
Kelly Epperly, 614/530-6918; kepperly@usjersey.com
Mark Fisher, 209/765-7187; mfisher@usjersey.com Lee Harris, 614/284-1478; lharris@usjersey.com
Joe Vanderfeltz, 898 SR 706, Lawton, PA 18828; Phone 570/934-2406; jvanfel2@gmail.com. Third District. 2027.
National All-Jersey Inc. Board of Directors
Officers
President: John Kokoski, 57 Comins Rd., Hadley, MA 01035. Phone 413/531-2116; jkokoski@maplelinefarm. com.
Vice President: Jason Cast, 4011 A Street Rd., Beaver Crossing, NE 68313-9417. Phone 402/641-2255; jjcjerseys@gmail.com.
Directors
Sam Bok, 11310 Krouse Rd., Defiance, OH 43512. Phone 419/782-0012; jawscows@defnet.com. District 7. 2025
Jason Cast, see officers. District 1. 2027. Alan Chittenden, ex officio, see AJCA officers. Garry Hansen, ex officio, see AJCA. Rogelio “Roger” Herrera, 7114 Youngstown Rd., Hilmar, CA 95324. Phone 209/485-0003; rogeliohs@yahoo.com.
District 2. 2025. Cornell Kasbergen, ex officio, see AJCA. John Kokoski, see officers. District 3. 2025. John Marcoot, 526 Dudleyville Rd. Greenville, IL. 62246. Phone 618/322-7239; johnemarcoot@gmail. com. District 4. 2026.
Tom Seals, 37840 Upper Nestucca River Rd., Beaver, OR 97108. Phone 541/520-0298; jennie.seals@gmail. com. District 6. 2027. Bradley Taylor, 106 County Road 5300, Booneville, MS 38829-9131. Phone 662/720-3598; taylorjerseyfarm@ gmail.com. District 5. 2028.
Official Publication of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. 6486 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068–2362 614.861.3636 phone 614.861.8040 fax
Email jerseyjournal@usjersey.com
Website: www.USJerseyJournal.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USJerseyJournal
Editor: Kimberly A. Billman
Managing Editor: Tracie Hoying
Feature Writer: Michele Ackerman
Communications Specialist: Lindsay L’Amoreaux
Digital Media: Jolena Gioiello
Contributing Writer: Kaila Tauchen
Subscriber Services
To subscribe, log on to http://jerseyjournal. usjersey.com/Subscriptions.aspx and click on the “Subscriptions” link and enter your mailing and credit card information on the secure website. When completed, click “Submit” to process your subscription.
If you have questions, please call the Jersey Journal at 614/861-3636, or send email to jerseyjournal@usjersey.com.
Jersey Journal Subscription Rates
Effective July 1, 2023 (10 online issues; January and September printed) Domestic International 1 year $45 1 year $60 3 years $125 3 years $170 5 years $210 5 years $285
All subscribers to the online Jersey Journal (effective February 1, 2022) will receive a downloadable PDF version of the magazine to the email on file. They will also receive a link to the publication published online.
To make changes to your subscription, call the American Jersey Cattle Association at 614/861-3636. Or email jerseyjournal@usjersey. com. Please email or call with an updated email address if your address changes. Subscribers will receive periodical emails throughout the month. Have your customer number ready for a staff member.
If you do not receive an email with the pdf or link to the published magazine, call 614/8613636 or email jerseyjournal@usjersey.com. We will verify your information and correct what is needed.
How You Will Receive Your Jersey Journal?
First week of each month, you will receive an email that includes:
• link to flip version of the Jersey Journal
• downloadable PDF of the magazine
• links to advertising
• links to updated stories on the website
• access to the archive editions of Jersey Journal back to 2009
Make sure we have your email on file and then sit back and let us deliver the news to you!
Email: JerseyJournal@USJersey.com
Web: www.USJerseyJournal.com
This index is provided as an additional service. The Jersey Journal assumes no liability for errors or omissions. The Jersey Journal does not guarantee quality, delivery time, or availability of items ordered from commercial advertisers.
The American Jersey Cattle Association promotes the use of authentic and unaltered photographic images of Jersey animals, and disapproves of the use of any photographic images that alter the body of the Jersey animal. The American Jersey Cattle Association therefore requests that all photographic images of Jersey animals submitted for publication in the Jersey Journal contain no alterations to the body of the animal.
Despite its best efforts to ensure that only unaltered photographs of Jersey animals are used in this publication, the American Jersey Cattle Association cannot guarantee that every photographic image of a Jersey animal is authentic and unaltered.
jsamuelson56@yahoo.com
jkokoski@maplelinefarm.com
Every effort is made to keep the calendar listings as accurate as possible. However, dates are sometimes changed or events cancelled without notice. When your association schedules an event, notify the Journal staff at least 60 days in advance by sending email to JerseyJournal@usjersey.com or phoning 614/861-3636.
Type Appraisal Schedule
POLICY: Areas will be appraised in the order listed. If you wish to appraise and do not receive an application 30 days prior to the appraisal, please request one from Appraisal Office Coordinator Lori King by telephone, 614/322-4457, or email lking@usjersey. com. Apply online at http://www.usjersey.com/forms/ appraisalapp.com. Applications can also be printed from the USJersey website at http://www.usjersey. com/forms/ttaapplication.pdf.
FEBRUARY—Wisconsin.
MARCH—Arkansas and Missouri; Indiana and Illinois; Minnesota; and Washington and Oregon.
APRIL—California and Nevada.
MAY— Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska; Southern California, Arizona, Idaho and Utah; Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Western Colorado; and New Mexico and Texas.
Deadlines
MAR. 1— National Jersey Youth Achievement contest applications are due.
MAR. 1—National Jersey Youth Production Contest entries due. Forms available from the USJersey website.
MAR. 1— Living Lifetime Production contest applications are due. Cows alive as of December 31, 2024, are eligible. Minimum DHIR production levels for nominating are 225,000 lbs. milk, 10,000 lbs fat, and 8,000 lbs. protein.
APR. 1—Ownership and transfer date for junior eligibility in spring national shows (California Spring Show and Northeast All-Breeds Jersey Show)
APR. 1—Genomic samples must be to lab prior to this date for the May evaluation release.
APR. 24—Deadline for AJCA director petitions to be in the AJCA office.
APR. 28—Deadline for NAJ director petitions to be in the AJCA office.
MAY 1—Genomic samples must be to lab prior to this date for the June evaluation release.
JUNE 1—Genomic samples must be to lab prior to this date for the July evaluation release.
JULY 1—Applications for National Jersey Youth Scholarships due.
JULY 1—Genomic samples must be to lab prior to this date for the August evaluation release.
AUG. 1—Ownership and transfer date for junior
Registration Fees Effective October 1, 2024
InfoJersey.com Applications All Other Applications Member Non-Member Member Non-Member
Dead Animals May Be Registered For A Fee of $10.00
Duplicate or Corrected Certificates Will Be Issued For A Fee of $10.00
Rush Service Fee (per piece) $20 — Email or Fax delivery (per piece) $10
Transfer Fees Effective July 1, 2014
Standard processing fee is $14.00 when transfer is received within 60 days of the date of sale of the animal to the new owner, and $17.00 when received after 60 days.
$2.00 discounts from the standard fee will be applied to individual animal transfers processed via infoJersey.com and to group transfers submitted in batch electronic files: Excel spreadsheet, report downloaded from herd management software, or a field-delimited text file. Additional discounts may apply for herds enrolled in REAP, and for intraherd and intra-farm transfers. Refer to “Fees for Programs and Services” (www.usjersey.com/fees.pdf) and call Herd Services for more information.
The Association’s Bylaws require the seller to pay the transfer fee. Save by becoming a lifetime member of the American Jersey Cattle Association.
eligibility for fall shows (All American, World Dairy Expo, Western National Jersey Show, and Harrisburg)
Sales
MAR. 2—2nd EDITION OF DISCOVERY GENETICS SPRING ONLINE SALE, Kevin Krejci and Lisa Demmer, Ellsworth, Wis., hosts and sale mgrs.; 12:00 noon on www.CowBuyer.com.
MAR. 15—KILGUS ELITE SALE, Kilgus Dairy, Fairbury, Ill.; Kilgus Dairy and HammerTime Auctioneering, sale mgrs.
MAR. 16—MASSACHUSETTS BLUE RIBBON ALL-BREEDS CALF SALE , Eastern States Exposition, W. Springfield, Mass.; 11:00 a.m. (EDT).
MAR. 22 KCCK GENETICS SPRINGTIME SHOWCASE II , Hosted by KCCK Genetics, Dyersville, Iowa.
APR. 9— CANTENDO ACRES-GRAZELAND JERSEYS COMPLETE HERD DISPERSAL, Tom and Rosalie Noyes and Russ and Cheryl King, Creston, Ohio, Kreeger and Associates, LLC sale mgr.
APR. 2—NORSE HAVEN GENETICS COMPLETE DISPERSAL, Jason Fremstad and family, Westby, Wis.; Courtney Sales, sale mgr.
APR. 26—2nd DILEY AND PARTNERS SPRING EXTRAVAGANZA, hosted by Neal and Bill Diley, Canal Winchester, Ohio and held at Woodruff Farms, Urbana, Ohio; broadcast live on www. CowBuyer.com.
MAY 3 BEST OF TRIPLE-T & FRIENDS SALE, Circleville, Ohio; Triple-T Holsteins and Jerseys, sale mgr.
MAY 4 LOUISVILLE PARISH ALL-BREEDS SALE, Frankfort, Ky.; 2:00 p.m. (EDT); Luke McCoy 270.646.6550, sale co-mgr.
MAY 10—POST TIME AT RATLIFF’S SALE, at the farm, Garnett, Kan.; 11:00 a.m. (CDT); Ron and Christy Ratliff, sale mgrs.; Chris Hill, Thurmont, Md., auctioneer.
JUNE 12-14—FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND TAG SALE , Hosted by Interstate Heifer Care, Clear Spring, Md.; South Mountain Jerseys & Interstate Heifer Care, sale mgr. packardterri@gmail.com.
JUNE 28—DREAMING OF TRIPLE CROWNS AT KEIGHTLEY & CORE SALE, at the farm, Salvisa, Ky.
Meetings and Expositions
MAR. 1—WISCONSIN JERSEY BREEDERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING, Deer Valley Resort, Barneveld, Wis.
MAR. 8—MINNESOTA JERSEY BREEDERS MEETING, Best Western Plus, Wilmar, Minn.; 1:00 p.m. (CDT).
MAR. 25-27—CENTRAL PLAINS DAIRY EXPO, Denny Sanford Premier Center, Sioux Falls, S.D.
APR. 14-16—TRI-STATE DAIRY NUTRITION CONFERENCE, Grand Wayne Center, Fort Wayne, Ind.
JUNE 22-25—AMERICAN DAIRY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING , Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, Ky. JUNE 25-28—AJCA-NAJ ANNUAL MEETINGS, Lexington, Ky.
NOV. 15—OKLAHOMA JERSEY ANNUAL MEETING, Steer Inn, Cushing, Okla.; 10:00 a.m. (CST). (continued to page 32)
paxtonll.llp@gmail.com
catheo2@nep.net
nobledalefarm@gmail.com
jnbschuc@yahoo.com
mshedden12@gmail.com
jrp280@gmail.com stoneyhollowjerseys@gmail.com
Alan Chittenden, President of the American Jersey Cattle Association recently announced the ninth class of Jersey Youth Academy, July 13 to 18 in Columbus, Ohio.
“The 35 young people from 18 states selected for this class exemplify the many talented, interested Jersey youth across the United States that our organization wants to encourage to pursue careers in the Jersey dairy business,” Chittenden said.
The opportunity to spend a week learning and interacting with leaders and professionals from both the USJersey organizations and the dairy industry will be invaluable to these young adults. For many, it will help define and maybe alter career paths. For all, the chance to spend a week with like-minded Jersey enthusiasts will create relationships that last a lifetime.”
All program costs, including round-trip transportation for participants, are paid by the Academy.
The Jersey Youth Academy is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation administered by the American Jersey Cattle Association. Contributors represent a broad spectrum of Jersey breeder and dairy industry support.
Lee William Styczynski was born November 22, 2024, to Trenton and Laura (Lesher) Styczynski, Pulaski, Wis. Their first child weighed 8 lbs. 13 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. Maternal grandparents and William and Lolly Lesher, Way-Har Farms, Bernville, Pa. Paternal grandparents are Jeff and Tammy Styczynski, Stitches-JeTa Farms, Pulaski.
Trent and Laura work together managing the genetics program at Betley Family Farms of Pulaski.
Charles and Maggie (LaPrise) Cole, Exeter, R.I., gave birth to Charles Francis Cole on December 27, 2024. Weighing 11 lbs. 10 oz. he quickly earned the nickname “Frank the Tank.”
Maggie attended Jersey Youth Academy in 2017 and continues to work on her family farm, EMMA Acres, a Registered Jersey farm in Exeter. She also works for the Rhode Island Farm Bureau, chairing the organization’s 2024-2025 Young Ag Professionals Committee.
Tyler and Logan Kirchdoerfer, Kirchdoerfer Dairy Farm, Cape Girardeau, Mo., gave birth to Wesley Albert Kirchdoerfer on January 7, 2025. He weighed 8 lbs. 15 oz. and was 20 ¼ inches long. Paternal grandparents are Eddie and Amy Kirchdoerfer and paternal great-grandparents are Joe and Mildred Kirchdoerfer, all of Kirchdoerfer Dairy Farm. Wesley joins a family that also includes his six-yearold sister, Willow.
Tyler attended Jersey Youth Academy in 2011 and interned with Jersey Marketing Service in the summer of 2017 as the winner of the Fred Stout Experience Award. He now works fulltime on the farm.
Ryder John Lauber was born January 20, 2025, to Matt and Londa (Johnson) Lauber, Union Grove, Wis. He weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz. and was 21 inches long. The newest member of
the boy crew, he was welcomed home by big brothers, Oliver, 3, and Tucker, 2. Londa is a former appraiser with the American Jersey Cattle Association and now works as a financial officer at Compeer Financial. She and Matt breed registered cattle using the New Heights prefix for their Jerseys and Hillpine for their Holsteins.
Former National Jersey Queen Lakaya (Lyon) Tenley and her husband, Tanner, have been named winners of Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2025 Grow Your Future Award. They competed against two other farm-based businesses as finalists in a pitch-off held at the organization’s conference in Des Moines in mid-January. They received a check for $10,000 with the win.
The Tenleys operate Tenley Farms in Mechanicsville, Iowa. With the legalization of raw milk sales in the state in 2023, they began selling raw milk from their herd of Registered Jersey cows. They also sell beef from their herd of Angus and Angus-crosses and pork from their herd of Duroc and Duroc-crosses.
North Carolina Jersey Processors Earn Top Awards
A pair of North Carolina creameries processing milk from their Registered Jersey herds earned the top prizes in two contests conducted concurrently in the Southeast this past August. The eggnog produced by Riverbend Creamery, Lincolnton, was named Milk of the Year in the Southeast Farmstead Dairy Products Competition held by the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives and the Got to Be NC Dairy Competition put on by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Their chocolate milk was also named best-homogenized chocolate milk in both competitions.
The unhomogenized chocolate milk produced by Lutheridge Dairy Farm,
Mount Ulla, earned top honors in the Got to Be NC Dairy Competition. Their white milk tied for first in both contests with Cheek Farmstead Creamery of Fleetwood.
Riverbend Creamery, operated by Corey and Bridgette Lutz and their family, was established as a revenue stream to generate income for the next generation at Piedmont Jersey Farm. The couple’s son, James, returned to the farm in 2012 and when their daughter, Olivia, expressed interest in coming home, the on-farm creamery was built. They began selling their first products in August 2021. Today, the creamery churns super-premium ice cream and bottles fluid milk products from the 220-cow, rotationally grazed Jersey herd enrolled on REAP.
Lutheridge Dairy Farm was established by Ted and Ben Luther in 1965 and operated as a Registered Jersey dairy farm until 1997 when the brothers sold the cows and began custom-raising replacement heifers. For a period, the two marketed milk through the All-Jersey program. Ted served as president and director of National All-Jersey Inc. and received the American Jersey Cattle Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2006.
In 2016, three years after Ted’s passing, his daughter, Leigh Anne Wetmore, and her husband, Mark, and her brother, Richard, and his wife, Robin, purchased Ben’s half of the farm with hopes of restoring the dairy to its former glory.
The family began milking a few cows and selling milk to a local cheesemaker because their volume was too small to merit a pick-up from the dairy cooperatives. This relationship allowed them to finance equipment purchases, including a pasteurizer. The Wetmore and Luther families now milk about 70 Registered Jersey cows, bottle milk and also sell it to another cheesemaker. Ted’s grandson, Steven Wetmore, is the farm manager.
Genotyping–Investing in Value for Your Herd
Genomics. One word which has revolutionized how the dairy genetic industry operates. We have watched the rate of genetic gain more than double since genomics was introduced in 2009. Today 1,089,445 Jerseys have been genomically tested and with each animal tested, the reliability of the data accumulated increases. This gives dairy producers a broader genetic base to find elite individuals within the breed.
As read this magazine, you will find the annual sales summary for 2024. It was a record year for average price, but a much lower volume of animals. How does this correlate with genomics?
When you study the list of high selling individuals, you will see several high genomic individuals at the top. The top two high-selling heifers of the year—JX Matos Olivia {6} who topped the National Heifer Sale and JX T-D-I Cerberus Tinkers 17854 {5} that sold at the All American Jersey Sale— both were genotyped and selected on their genetic merit.
These heifers were the elite of the breed, but they would not have been located within their herds without being genomic tested. And genomic testing does pay.
For the cost of a genomic test, you can escalate the performance potential of your herd through whole-herd genotyping. This in turn provides more accuracy in genetic predictions. Because of that known information breeders can make more effective selections, better mating decisions and control inbreeding management to allow for faster breed improvement. Reliability of genomic predictions increases as more animals are genotyped.
Why Test Your Herd?
The results of genomic testing can benefit every dairy, regardless of the size of the operation or their individual goals. The information you learn from testing will help you develop a long-term herd-management strategy.
The economics are simple. Take a 225 cow REAP herd and expect they will have 100 heifers born annually. It will cost $28 per test to genotype all heifers, which equals a $2,800 investment. The herd can then begin to recoup the investment by identifying elite females to market or which heifers to cull or perhaps breed to beef.
The $28 per animal investment for a
REAP herd will provide them with the information needed to build accurate pedigrees; develop management lists of elite heifers; lists of individuals to keep in the herd, and others to market for dairy purposes. From polled genes and A2 status to unknown haplotypes, there is much information to be gained from that genomic test.
Genotyping also provides more accurate inbreeding evaluations as genomic inbreeding estimates are based off of actual SNPs. You also gain more accurate PTAs. And, the information obtained from these tests helps the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding gain more information to develop new Jersey-specific genomic predictions such as health traits.
What the AJCA offers
Bottom line. Other companies may offer lower prices but remember the saying “You get what you pay for.”
Early every Tuesday, the AJCA provides an email with weekly results for your herd. These reports are extensive and provide the genomic information needed to begin building a management strategy.
If there is a parentage conflict, you are informed immediately. The AJCA offers more solutions with options for the sire and maternal grandsire (MGS) than other companies. Those companies may tell you there is a conflict, and then have you mark the MGS field blank, leaving a hole in the pedigree and making calculations for many traits, including inbreeding inaccurate without the information.
Perhaps one of the most valuable tools the AJCA offers is HerdView. Available through infoJersey.com, REAP herds can customize any number of reports to measure the genetic gains of their herd. It has been described among the best sorting tools in the business. You can customize any report according to your needs, from a herd genomic list to a genomic prospect list. You set your criteria and make management decisions based on herd goals. Genotyping delivers information that will make your herd genetically stronger and more profitable. Start looking for the hidden gem in your herd by contacting the Herd Services department at 614.861.3636 or herdservices@usjersey.com. Genetic change is permanent. Continue to build the genetic base, so that management can make the most of it.
THE JERSEY by Bonnie L. Mohr, commissioned by the American Jersey Cattle Association.
Notice of AJCA, NAJ Annual Meetings
To the Members of the American Jersey Cattle Association
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the constitution, the 157 th annual meeting of the members of the American Jersey Cattle Association will be held at the Embassy Suites-UK Coldstream, Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The annual reports of the officers will be received, the election of the President and four Directors will be announced, and all other business properly coming before the meeting will be transacted.
Voting for President and Directors is by ballot only (mail-in or online). Proxies are for use in voting on any other business that may come before the meeting, in the event members are not present at the time such votes are taken.
The notice of the annual meeting, the official ballot, and the official proxy will be mailed/emailed to all members eligible to vote not less than 30 days before the meeting date. Voting preference must be given to the office by May 20, 2025. An unique email must be provided for online voting.
All active members shown on the membership books of the Association on the date 50 days (May 9, 2025) prior to the annual meeting are those eligible to vote.
An active member is an owner of one or more Registered Jersey cows and who has registered or had transferred to his or her ownership a Jersey animal within two (2) years.
An active member who does not register or have transferred to his or her ownership a Jersey animal for a period of two (2) years shall automatically become an inactive member. An inactive member shall again become an active member automatically upon registering or having transferred to his or her ownership a Jersey animal. Inactive members have until May 9, 2025, to again become active members and eligible to vote in the 2025 elections.
Nominating Procedure
A written petition signed by 30 or more active members of the American Jersey Cattle Association will nominate a person for president, provided the petition is filed with the Executive Secretary of the Association not less than 65 days prior to the annual meeting.
Nominations for Director require the signatures of 20
active members who live in the district. These must also be filed with the Executive Secretary 65 days prior to the meeting. All nominations must be filed by April 24, 2025.
A President will be elected for a one-year term. Three Directors with four-year terms are to be elected. The President and Directors may succeed themselves, with a Director not being elected for more than two regular, successive terms.
A director from each of the three (first, second and third) districts will be elected at the 2025 meeting. The Directors and their current districts whose terms expire at the 2025 Annual Meeting are: Joel Albright, Willard, Ohio, Fourth District; Donna Phillips, Newton, Wis., Seventh District; Garry Hansen, Mulino, Ore., Tenth District; and Tyler Boyd, Hilmar, Calif., Twelfth District.
All four directors (Albright, Phillips, Hansen, and Boyd) have served two consecutive terms and are not eligible to succeed themselves. Due to realignment of the districts, a director maybe appointed for an extra year during the transition period.
Current President Alan Chittenden’s one-year term expires at the next Annual Meeting and he is eligible to seek re-election.
To the Members of National All-Jersey Inc. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the constitution, the 65 th annual meeting of the voting members of National All-Jersey Inc. will be held at the Embassy Suites-UK Coldstream, Lexington, Ky. on Friday, June 27, 2025, when the annual reports of the officers will be received, the election of two Directors will be announced and all other business properly coming before the meeting will be transacted. Voting for Director is by ballot only (mail-in or online). Proxies are for use in voting on any other business that may come before the meeting, in the event members are not present at the time such votes are taken. Voting members are producer members, those who pay fees as established by the Board of Directors.
The notice of the annual meeting, the official ballot, and the official proxy will be mailed/emailed to all members eligible to vote not less than 30 days before the meeting date. Voting preference must be given to the office by May 20, 2025. An unique email must be provided for online voting.
Two Directors, with a four-year term, will be elected. The elected Directors whose terms expire are Rogelio “Roger” Herrera, Hilmar, Calif., District 2, and John Kokoski, Hadley, Mass., District 3. Both are eligible to succeed themselves.
Nominations for District Directors can be made by written petition signed by 10 or more voting members living in the district. The petition must be filed with the Executive Secretary at least 60 days (April 28, 2025) prior to the annual meeting.
Neal Smith, Executive Secretary
albrightjerseys@gmail.com
coldrunjerseys@frontier.com
phjfarm@dslextreme.com
jaws@defnet.com
grass4jerseys@yahoo.com
laspahr@bright.net
wounkefer@yahoo.com
2024 SALES IN REVIEW
Average Up, Volume Down for Jerseys at Public Auction in 2024
In its annual public auction summary, the American Jersey Cattle Association reports 562 lots of Registered Jerseys sold for an average of $4,316.95—a historical high—and gross receipts of $2,426,125. Versus the statistics from 2023, the average climbed more than $300 and the lots sold decreased 370-plus. The analysis is based on sales conducted last year and submitted to the Jersey Journal. It should surprise no one that the average is way up, and the numbers way down as they represent a trend that has been gaining momentum for some time. The market for dairy cattle of all makes is in a place it has not been in eons, if ever.
Dairy replacements across the country are in high demand and short supply, fueled by the beef-on-dairy movement and the ability to create only the replacements one needs— no more—using sexed semen. In a cyclical pattern, the scarce, high-priced replacements prompt dairy producers to retain mature cows longer to reduce costs and maintain levels of production. Fewer culls results in less beef for the consumer and sustained high prices for beef calves. Experts predict this protocol will continue, but there could be a shift as dairy producers push the pencil to determine whether it is more profitable to breed for dairy replacements or beef calves. These overall patterns affect the sales of Registered Jersey cattle as well. The regional volume sales of commercial cattle so popular just a decade ago are now fewer and further between. Dairy producers who are positioned to sell replacements can capitalize from private treaty transactions, selling cattle when the time and conditions are just right for them.
Nevertheless, Registered Jerseys are still actively bought and sold. Jersey breeders remain committed to investing in genetics that will improve their herds
Highest Annual Averages, Jersey Auction Sales (1919-2024)
and jump at the chance to expand desirable maternal lines. Many of the sales conducted in 2024 were standbys or collaborative efforts that included guest consignments. Others focused on a special segment of the market. Among the niche market sales in 2024 was the year’s highest-averaging sale, Fun in the Sun-Amplify Edition. High-end genomic lots of Holsteins, Jerseys and Brown Swiss were offered, with the 10 Jersey lots selling for an average of $11,575. The virtual event held on March 1 kicked off the Amplify
Auction Sale Summary
Event in Hilmar, Calif., the following day. The sale was managed by the Cattle Exchange and cried by Dave Rama.
Another genomic offering—Spring into Opportunity at Pine Tree—was one of the top five sales for gross receipts in 2024. Hosted by the Steiner family of Marshallville, Ohio, it offered elite genomics from some of the breed’s contemporary bloodlines. With an
average of $5,185.63 and gross receipts of $207,425 on 40 lots, it ranks fourth for gross and sixth for average. The sale was managed by Jersey Marketing Service (JMS) and cried by Chris Hill.
Two popular series sales managed by Nathan and Jenny Thomas of Thomas Marketing and Consulting were the high-grossing sales of 2024 and ranked among the best for average as well. The Best of Triple T and Friends was the high-grossing sale of the year, with gross receipts of $442,650 on 69 lots. The average of $6,415.22 ranks fourth. Held on June 8 at Triple T Holsteins and Jerseys in North Lewisburg, Ohio, the sale was a continuation of the series established by the Thomases with the late Michael Heath in Columbus, Ohio, in 2014.
The other Thomas-managed sale was the previously mentioned Amplify Event on March 2 in Hilmar. Held two years after Vierra Dairy’s first Amplify event, the sale auctioned 68 lots for a gross of $419,550 and an average of $6,169.85. The gross ranks second and the average ranks fifth among sales held in 2024.
The team in the box at both the Best of Triple T and Friends and the Amplify Event included Chris Hill as auctioneer and Norm Nabholz as pedigree man.
A pair of JMS-managed sales perennially ranked among the year’s top sales— the National Heifer Sale and the All American Jersey Sale—ranked high again this year. The National Heifer Sale sold 30 lots for an average of $7,748.33 and a gross of $232,450 to rank second for average and fourth for gross. The virtual event was held in conjunction with the annual meetings in Springfield, Mass., on June 21. The auctioneer was Chris Hill.
The All American Jersey Sale held on November 9 in Louisville, Ky., struck off 47 lots. With an average of $6,694.68 and a gross of $314,650, the sale ranks
JX Matos Olivia {6} was the year's high seller, struck off for $77,000 at the National Heifer Sale. She was purchased by Vierra Dairy and the Semex Alliance, represented by Jonathan Merriam, back right, and consigned by Matos Dairy, represented by Meganne Chapman, first alternate 2023 National Jersey Queen, center, and Kristin Paul, director of field services, front right. The National Heifer Sale was the second high-averaging sale of 2024, with an average of $7,748.33 on 30 lots. Also pictured are Greg Lavan, manager Jersey Marketing Service, front left, Executive Secretary Neal Smith, back left, and Chris Hill, auctioneer
third for average and third for gross. Chris Hill was the auctioneer and Herby Lutz read pedigrees.
Jersey breeders and young show enthusiasts had several other opportunities to purchase Registered Jerseys during 2024. The 19 public auctions included in the sales analysis were held in the United States during the calendar year 2024 and submitted to the Jersey Journal by January 15, 2025. Only sales reported with complete catalogs and marked with buyers and prices for all animals are included. Sales with fewer than 10 lots are included in the summary but not ranked among the high-averaging sales. Animals that sold in sales with fewer than 10 head, though, are included in the list of highselling individuals.
The Top Five Sales of 2024 No. Average Event Sold Price
Fun in the Sun Amplify Edition 10 $11,575.00
Hilmar, Calif., March 1
National Heifer Sale 30 7,748.33
Springfield, Mass., June 21
All American Jersey Sale 47 6,694.68 Louisville, Ky., November 9
Best of Triple T and Friends 69 6,415.22
North Lewisburg, Ohio, June 8
Amplify Event 68 6,169.85
Hilmar, Calif., March 2
High Selling Prices at Public Auction in 2024
JX Matos Olivia {6} (heifer calf 3 mos.)
National Heifer Sale, Springfield, Mass., June 21
Seller: Matos Dairy, Hilmar, Hilmar, Calif.
Purchaser: Vierra Dairy Farms and Semex Alliance, Guelph, Ont.
All American Jersey Sale, Louisville, Ky., November 9
Seller: Kevin Ehrhardt and Michael Heath, Baldwin, Md.
Purchaser: Vierra Dairy Farms and Semex Alliance, Guelph, Ont.
Vierra Rock Show-ET (heifer calf 8 mos.)
Amplify Event, Hilmar, Calif., March 2
Seller: Vierra Dairy Farms, Hilmar, Calif.
Purchaser: Ken and Karla Deaver, Stotts City, Mo.
20,000
18,000
18,000
High Sellers
The 15 high-selling lots of 2024— listed on page 21—crossed the auction block at one of the six previously mentioned sales. All are females as no bulls were syndicated during the year.
The high selling individual, JX Matos Olivia {6}, was struck off for $77,000 at the National Heifer Sale. The March 2024 daughter of JX
Rights to an IVF session with JX MM Thrasher Manhattan 13947 {5}-ET, above, were purchased by the Semex Alliance at the Spring into Opportunity at Pine Tree sale for $17,900. The session was consigned by sale host, Matthew Steiner of Pine Tree Dairy, and was the third high-selling rights of the year.
Avonlea Chicora-ET x Hirds Colton 12,000 Dream Best of Triple T and Friends
Vierra Sting-ET x Avonlea Chips 10,250 Chiquita-ET Best of Triple T and Friends
Vierra Kid Rock Georgia-ET was the high selling bred heifer of 2024 at $15,000. She was purchased at the All American Jersey Sale by Lauren Wooldridge and Elise Carpenter and consigned by Dominic and Austin Dores and Tyler Miranda. "Georgia" was added to the lineup after she was named Supreme Champion of the North American International Livestock Exposition junior show. She was also named Supreme Champion Heifer of the open show in Louisville, Ky., for her new owners.
among polled females for genetic merit with a GJPI of +183. She was consigned by The Dairy Inc. of Five Points, Calif.
Rights to IVF Kash-In Becks
72491-P
National Heifer Sale
Rights to IVF Kash-In Becks 31,000 72491-P or JX Kash-In Callan 7211 {5}-ET Fun in the Sun-Amplify Edition
Rights to IVF Session with JX MM 17,900 Thrasher Manhattan 13947 {5}-ET Spring into Opportunity at Pine Tree
Primus Watkins Cabal {5}-ET was consigned by Matos Dairy of Hilmar and purchased by Vierra Dairy and the Semex Alliance of Guelph, Ont. She ranked as high as #4 for GJPI and today ranks #6 with an index of +207. She is plus for components and the fertility traits Cow Conception Rate (CCR), Heifer Conception Rate (HCR) and Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DP) and has a Genomic Predicting Transmitting Ability (GPTA) of +1.9 for Type. Her dam, sired by JX CDF JLS Pilgrim Thrasher {6}, ranks among the top 500 cows for GJPI with an index of +151.
Another genomic standout was the second high-selling individual, auctioned at the All American Jersey Sale for $53,500. Matthew Steiner of Pine Tree Genetics and ABS partnered to purchase JX T-D-I Cerberus Tinkers 17854 {5}-P. Selling virtually, the September heifer calf is sired by JX Primus Monster Cerberus {6}-ET. She has GPTAs of +1.3 for CCR, +2.0 for HCR and +1.3 for DPR and is +0.02% for both fat and protein. She ranks #11
The high seller of the Best of Triple T and Friends, TJ Classic Chocolate Darby, was the third highest-selling individual for 2024, purchased for $51,500 by Vierra Dairy Farms. The Very Good-88% daughter of Avonlea Joel Chocolatier-ET freshened in March 2024 with her first calf and sold due to WF Joel Goldust in early February. “Darby” is a potential ninth-generation Excellent. She was consigned by Allison, Lane and Callum Francis of Greenville, Ohio.
Select Sires Inc. of Plain City, Ohio, purchased two lots struck off for $34,000, the fourth-high price of the year. Their first purchase, JX Pine-Tree 2764 Weld 1168 {5}-P-ET, was the high seller of Spring into Opportunity at Pine Tree in April. The November 2023 daughter of Dupat Thrasher Weld-ET ranked #13 among polled females on sale day and now ranks #58 with a GJPI of +171. She is +312M, +49F (+0.17%) and +33P (+0.13%) and tested A2A2 for beta-casein. She was consigned by sale host, Matthew Steiner.
The genetics company purchased the other $34,000-priced lot at the National Heifer Sale in June. The lot was rights to an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) session with a choice of females from the herd at Kash-In Jerseys of Tulare, Calif. They chose donor dam Kash-In Becks 72491P, a daughter of Forest Glen Westport Becks. With a GJPI of +180, she ranks #17 among polled females and #299 among all females with Herd Register or Generation Count 4-6 status. Her dams are both Very Good and have m.e.
(continued to page 24
High Selling Rights
A first choice female sired by Avonlea Chicora-ET and out of Hirds Colton Dream, above, was the second high-selling choice of the year, struck off for $12,000 at the Best of Triple T and Friends. The choice was purchased by Lucky Lady Farms and consigned by Keightley-Core and Borba.
Annual Sale Review
(continued from page 22)
averages above 21,000 lbs. milk.
Lot 1 from the All American Jersey Sale was the fifth high seller of the year at $32,000. Select Sires joined forces with Jerseyland in the purchase of JX MM Els Island 33945 {6}. The July 2024 daughter of JX Victory Thrasher Els {6}-ET is +552M, +62F (+0.17%) and +43P (+0.11%). She ranks #85 on the list of top Herd Register or Generation Count 4-6 females with a GJPI of +190. She was consigned by Misty Meadow Dairy of Tillamook, Ore.
Following right behind her in the catalog as Lot 2 of the All American Jersey Sale was one of two lots to sell for the sixth high price of the year— $31,000. ABS Global Inc., de Forest, Wis., went solo to purchase JX RocBot Crispin 18451 {6}. On sale day, she ranked #1 for genetic merit among her paternal sisters, daughters of JX Primus Thrasher Crispin {5}-ET. She currently ranks #208 for GJPI on the Herd Register list with an index of +183. She was consigned by Rock Bottom Dairy, Alvord, Iowa.
The other lot to sell for $31,000 was the high seller of the Fun in the SunAmplify Edition. Select Sires made the purchase, another IVF session of donor dams at Kash-In Jerseys. With the winning bid, they purchased the right to choose between Kash-In Becks 72491-P or JX Kash-In Callan 72110 {5}-ET. The selection was to be conducted following the April 2024 genetic evaluations.
The seventh high seller of 2024 was struck off in North Lewisburg at the Best of Triple T and Friends. Ron and Christy Ratliff, Garnett, Kan., purchased Mer-James VIP FinnyET for $23,500. The Excellent-91% daughter of River Valley Venus VIP-ET
was All-Canadian Junior Two-Year-Old in 2023. Her Excellent-94% dam, MerJames Fizz Figgy Azalea, was Supreme Champion of the Pennsylvania AllAmerican Dairy Show in 2022. The next dam is Excellent-93% and is backed by another nine dams that are Excellent or Very Good. “Finny” was consigned by Crackholm, Richmond, Que.
Jerseyland Sires, Turlock, Calif., purchased the eighth high seller of 2024 at the Fun in the Sun sale for $21,000. The genetics company took home JX MM Blizzard Lizzy 23987 {6}, a June 2023 heifer sired by Valsigna Pine Blizzard. She ranked among the top 200 females for genetic merit on sale day and was consigned by Misty Meadow Dairy.
Two heifer calves sold for $20,000 each as co-ninth high sellers. Vierra Victorious Julep-ET was the high seller of the Amplify Event in March. She was consigned by sale host, Vierra Dairy Farms, and purchased by Mortimer Jerseys of Smithfield, Utah. Sired by River Valley Victorious-ET, the winter calf hails from the “Jamie” cow family bred by Stoney Point Jerseys in Maryland. Her dam is River Valley Colton Juliette-ET, Excellent-94%, Reserve Grand Champion of the 2023 International Jersey Show and second aged cow at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. “Juleps” grandam, Stoney Point Excitation Jamie, Excellent-96%, is the 2013 National Grand Champion.
The other $20,00-priced heifer, Pacific Edge Getaway Damsel, sold three months later to Ron and Christy Ratliff in the Best of Triple T and Friends. The lineage of the winter calf traces to the “Déjà vu” branch of the “Veronica” cow family developed by the Ratliffs. “Damsel” is sired by Rapid Bay Getaway-ET and out of Pacific Edge Premier Diva-ET, the Best Bred and Owned and Senior GJPI Champion of the 2022 All American Jersey Show. Her third dam is Arethusa Primetime Déjà vu-ET, Excellent-95%, and her fourth dam is world-famous Huronia Centurion Veronica 20J, Excellent-97%, winner of the 2015 Jersey Journal Great Cow Contest and 2004 National Grand Champion.
“Damsel” was consigned by Brent L. Rocha, Tillamook, Ore.
Rounding out the top 10 prices paid for Registered Jerseys in 2024 is Vierra Impression Aspen-ET, who sold in the Amplify Event for $18,800 to Tillman and Noel Peters of Danville, Ind. The fall heifer calf sired by Rock Ella Impression-ET is out of J.P.L.
Top Five Grossing Sales of 2024
Best of Triple T and Friends 69
North Lewisburg, Ohio, June 8
Amplify Edition
Calif., March 2
Ky.,
at Pine Tree Wooster, Ohio, April 13
Joel Adelia, Excellent-94%, the 2020 Reserve All American Milking Yearling. Three years later, she was Reserve Grand Champion of The Jersey Event, topped the four-year-old class at the International Jersey Show and was Reserve All-Canadian Four-Year-Old. “Aspen” was consigned by Vierra Dairy Farms.
High Sellers by Category
This year’s high sellers by category— heifer calves, open yearlings, bred heifers, cows, choices, and rights—are listed on page 22. Many have been previously mentioned.
Many Jersey breeders who hosted sales last year or have developed popular series sales are planning events again this year. Make plans now to support these events, spend some quality time with fellow Jersey breeders and bring something special home. And watch for future sales too, posted on the Jersey Journal website calendar.
whollycowbella@hotmail.com
dreamroadjersey@yahoo.com
bgc33@cornell.edu
timlawton581@gmail.com
denkeljerseys@aol.com
heavenscentjerseys@gmail.com
kevetta.farms@gmail.com silverspf@aol.com
Dairyland and Ohio Fall Sales Combine Offerings
With favorable milk prices and replacements scarce, six dairy producers from four states capitalized with purchases from the combined Dairyland Protein Sale and Ohio Fall Production Sale. Conducted online, bidding opened on October 22, 2024, and closed in real time two days later via CowBuyer.com. In all, 21 milking cows and bred heifers sold for an average of $2,088.10. An offering of individual lots and group lots, the sale was managed by Jersey Marketing Service.
Sale Analysis
8
21 Lots $2,088.10 $43,850 Median price $2,150.00
Sale Management:
Jersey Marketing Service
The volume buyer, William Hughes of Killbuck, Ohio, purchased the high-selling lot, a group of five fresh cows consigned by fellow Ohio Jersey breeders J William and Rachel Hodge or Norwich. Selling for $2,550 each, the group of four first-calf heifers and a second lactation cow sold fresh 90 days or less. All were backed by Very Good or Excellent dams; many with multiple generations of Very Good or Excellent dams.
A standout is WRJ Popcorn Lennox-P, a daughter of Pine Tree Popcorn-PPET, GJPI +60, out of Very Good-87% daughter of Wilsonview If Matt-ET, GJPI +42. Her Excellent-92% grandam, sired by River Valley Cece ChromeET, GJPI +61, has an m.e. average of 20,866―916―748 and a best record of 4-6 305 23,640 4.3% 1,005 3.5% 826 96DCR. Her Very Good-85% third dam has a five lactation m.e. average of 22,696―942―780. The next dam is appraised Very Good-87% and has three records―all over 25,700 lbs. milk, 980 lbs. fat and 760 lbs. protein. Her fifth dam is Very Good-87% as well and has 25,090 lbs. milk, 1,258 lbs. fat and 858 lbs. protein at 3-11. The next dam is also Very Good.
Also in the group was JX WRJ Archie Parker {6}, a Very Good-81% daughter of JX Jer Bel Maldini Archie {5}-ET, GJPI +64. She is out of an Excellent-90% daughter of Glynn
Headline News-ET, GJPI +40, with three records over 22,000 lbs. milk and a best record of 4-4 305 23,540 4.8% 1,104 4.0% 948 96DCR. She has three Very Good maternal sisters with records to 22,460 lbs. milk, 1,061 lbs. fat and 838 lbs. protein. The grandam of “Parker {6}” is appraised Very Good-81% and has a four lactation m.e. average of 18,936―997―751. Her Very Good-84% fourth dam has a five lactation m.e. average of 21,439―1,131―803. The next four dams are appraised Very Good or Excellent as well.
The other young cows were sired by ISAU Cairnbrae Bontino, GJPI -45, and Primus Dashiell Sturgis-ET, GJPI +84. In all, Hughes purchased seven head for $16,250.
Two Jersey breeders purchased lots that sold for the second high price of $2,150 each.
Covington Jerseys LLC, Leon, Iowa, purchased one of them, JX Dodan LH Tucker Pearl {6}. Selling as Lot 1, she was consigned by D&D Jerseys and Lloyd Heinz of Newton, Wis. Sired by Rowleys 1996 Daniel Tucker {6}-ET, GJPI +57, she sold fresh with her first calf in late July. She gave 58 lbs. milk for the tester in September.
Her dam is a Very Good-82% daughter of JX ABS Chapman {4}-ET, GJPI -9, with a two lactation m.e. average of 20,840―1,013―809. Her Very Good86% grandam, sired by Steinhauers Samson Lemonhead, GJPI +61, has an m.e. average of 21,708―1,255―851 on two lactations. The next dam, Dodan LH Visionary Tessa, Excellent-90%, has a pair of records over 23,000 lbs. milk and a best record of 3-2 305 28,710 4.7% 1,344 3.7% 1,048 98DCR.
The fourth dam of “Pearl {6} is appraised Very Good-83% and has four records―all over 24,000 lbs. milk. She has a top record of 4-4 305 30,770 4.3% 1,322 3.6% 1,111 97DCR. The next dam is a Very Good-88%, high-component daughter of ISDK Q Impuls, GJPI +8, with a 2-10 record of 25,370 lbs. milk, 1,775 lbs. fat (7.0%) and 922 lbs. protein (3.6%). The next dam is Buddvu Allys Lou-ET, Excellent-91%, with 30,530 lbs. milk, 1,720 lbs. fat and 1,251 lbs. protein at 4-3. The next two dams are also appraised Excellent. The next dam is the well-know Greenridge FW Chief Althea-ET, Excellent-92%, runner up in the 2000 Jersey Journal Great Cow Contest and protein champion in the 2000 Leading Living Lifetime Production Contest.
Kenny Jersey Farm LLC, Enon
Valley, Pa., purchased the other lots to sell for $2,150 each, a group of seven third trimester bred heifers consigned by Steven R. Shoemaker, Salem, Ohio. All are out of Very Good dams but one, whose dam has not been appraised.
Among the highlights was Clareshoe Chief Lola, a daughter of JX River Valley Chief {6}, GJPI +117, who sold 10 days from calving, due to ISDK VJ Raastrup HIHL Gislev, GJPI +132. Her dam is an Excellent-90% daughter of Oaklane Dazzler Disco 2127-ET, GJPI -3, with a two lactation m.e. average of 17,788—839—674. Her Excellent-92% grandam has 17,290 lbs. milk, 865 lbs. fat and 705 lbs. protein at 4-11. The next dam is Excellent-91% and the next four dams are Very Good.
Also in the group was Clareshoe Spiral Yarn {5}, a daughter of Progenesis Spiral-ET, GJPI +102, who sold due to “Gislev” the same day as her herdmate. Her dam is a Very Good-81% daughter of Kash-In Solar-PP-ET, GJPI +35, with a 3-3 record of 22,560 lbs. milk, 1,061 lbs. fat and 845 lbs. protein. Her Very Good-82% third dam has six lactations and a best record of 19,210 lbs. milk, 687 lbs. fat and 668 lbs. protein at 5-11. The next dam is appraised Very Good-87% and has a top record of 4-3 266 18,320 3.9% 723 3.3% 596 96DCR.
The other heifers are sired by BW Graduate, GJPI +137, Kash-In Kimber-ET, GJPI +80, and River Valley Mercedes-ET, GJPI +69. They are due to Bar MB Craze Castro, GJPI +78, Black Label Thrashing Kamakazi-ET, GJPI +126, and Valsigna Upcycle-ET, GJPI +112.
Sales $2,150 and Over
(Consignors in Parentheses)
William Hughes, Killbuck, Ohio
WRJ Popcorn Lennox-P, cow 2 yrs. $2,550
(J William and Rachel Hodge, Norwich, Ohio)
WRJ Bontino Willa, cow 3 yrs. 2,550 (J William and Rachel Hodge)
JX WRJ Archie Parker {6}, cow 2 yrs. 2,550 (J William and Rachel Hodge)
WRJ Bontino Penellaphe, cow 2 yrs. 2,550 (J William and Rachel Hodge)
JX WRJ Sturgis Libby {6}, cow 2 yrs. 2,550 (J William and Rachel Hodge)
Covington Jerseys LLC, Leon, Iowa
JX Dodan LH Tucker Pearl {6}, cow 2 yrs. 2,150 (D & D Jerseys, Newton, Wis.)
Jason Johnson, Northwood, N.H., is serving his second term as Director of the First District of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA). He was elected to serve his first term in 2021 and his second in 2024. With the redistricting that will occur in 2025, he will continue to represent an area identified as District 1 and serve through elections of 2026
He is currently serving on the Development and Information Technology and Identification Committees and the All American Open Show Committee. He has also sat on the All American Sale Committee.
A fourth-generation dairy farmer, Jason grew up in New Hampshire and earned a dairy management degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1996. He has managed dairies in several states and two countries and is currently the associate director of the organic farm program at Lactalis U.S. Yogurt (LUSY).
He and his wife, Heather, and children, Regan, Ryleigh and Asher, raise a few milk cows and bred heifers and care for a small flock of chickens at the home farm in Northwood.
what is similar across each operation?
Well, good cows are good cows, no matter the breed, the state, or the country. But certainly, I had the opportunity in every operation to take cows to the next level. I worked with owners who were willing to invest in great genetics knowing that livestock investments don’t always pan out. Outside Mapleline Jerseys, owned by John Kokoski and his family, all were tiestall facilities. When I left their farm, I was just on the cusp of the technological revolution in dairy, something I would have liked to experience while managing cows. But I am super excited I get to see our producers, even in the organic space, embrace and thrive with these tools.
Jason is a director for the National Dairy Shrine and vice president of the New England Jersey Breeders Association. He has served the Vermont Jersey Breeders Association as president, vice president and director. In 2015, he received the A.C. “Whitie” Thompson Memorial Award at World Dairy Expo.
The Jersey Journal visited with Jason about his dairy industry experience and his service on the AJCA board.
Describe your dairy activities as a young person. What were your early aspirations for a career?
For me, 4-H is really where it all began, with a special person named Becky Colby, who helped me get started with showing. She was in her 20s when I was a kid but took time to invest in me and get me going in the show ring. Once I got a bit older, judging piqued my interest in 4-H and college. At that point, however, I was going to be a teacher and was not really interested in a career in dairy. That changed when I realized I did not have the patience to teach junior high or high school. What herds have you managed in your career?
• Crasdale Farms, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
• Absolute Holsteins and Jerseys: our farm in Forestville, Wis.
• Billings Farm, Woodstock, Vt.
• Mapleline Jerseys, Hadley, Mass.
• Johnsonacres: our farm in Northwood, N.H.
Having managed dairies in two countries and four states,
What did you learn new or different at each one?
At Crasdale Farms, I learned so much about fitting cattle and exhibiting at national shows. At my own place in Wisconsin, I learned how to run a business (sometimes the school of hard knocks). At Billings Farm, I learned all about cheese and started a value-added dairy business to diversify. Here I also learned how to deal with 60,000 visitors a year, mostly nice. In every operation I have seen how diversification is key to success.
Describe your responsibilities with your current employer. Currently I serve as the associate director of the organic farm program for LUSY. My primary responsibility is to lead a team responsible for all things related to the direct supply, from payroll to procurement to milk quality to sustainability initiatives. I also serve on the global corporate social responsibility working group for Lactalis Group, our parent company, which is now the largest dairy company in the world. This has given me the opportunity to travel internationally a bit as well.
How has your experience directly “on the farm” helped you do your job now “off the farm?”
It has really given me an unbelievable advantage to connect with producers. I was there once, and hope I bring credibility to the relationship piece of processor-producer interactions. I really try to balance the benefits for both the producer and the private processor. The most enjoyable thing for me is to connect customers and consumers with dairy producers at the farm. Why did you decide to serve on the AJCA board?
I just wanted to give back. If I can help to serve the organization that motivated me as a young dairy person, that is a win for me.
How does your current job help you serve on the AJCA
(continued to
AJCA Director Jason Johnson and his wife, Heather, right, and their children, Ryleigh, Asher and Regan, take in the scenery at Yellowstone National Park.The Johnsons raise Registered Jersey cattle using the prefix Johnsonacres. Jason has served on the AJCA board since 2021.
Showing was the hobby that sparked Jason Johnson’s interest in the dairy industry and is a favorite pastime for his family today. Here is pictured with daughter Regan at the All American Jersey Show in Louisville, Ky.
Director Bio: Jason Johnson
(continued from page 29)
board?
I certainly get to see the industry from the 50,000-foot level. There is way too much information most of the time, but the global connections help keep the big picture on the forefront. We always need to be willing to embrace change. I see that every day in my work in the dairy industry. I think we need to remember that as an organization.
Are there certain initiatives that you have been particularly passionate about during your board tenure?
I think keeping our focus on youth is critical. Without the next generation, the organization will not be able to sustain itself and thrive. The restructuring of the AJCA Districts and looking at the big picture moving forward has been something so necessary.
From your work with Lactalis, what do you see as trends in the industry? How can the Jersey breed capitalize?
Full fat and high protein are where dairy products will be—and Jerseys deliver both. In the organic sector, they are the choice for grazing efficiency and high components. We continue to see a push to incorporate Jerseys, even in large Holstein herds. They will and should be the future of the efficient operation when it comes to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and providing the lowest carbon footprint. Consumers will demand transparency as we move forward, and carbon neutrality will not be an option. The entire industry, whether conventional or organic, is consolidating and that will not stop.
What do you most enjoy about being involved in the dairy industry?
The connections with people are what I enjoy most. I just spent two days
in Maine looking for new producers and it was so fun and inspiring to be on farms, seeing how efficient dairy farmers are, how determined they are, and how innovative this industry is. I also get amped up on the technological side of things. We are entering a time of immense information, enabling the development of unbelievable management tools, from robots on the farm to robots in the production floor of a yogurt factory. It is simply an amazing and exciting time to be in the dairy industry.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of finding a way to stay in the industry even without a family farm to return to. I have worked on both sides of the isles, from production to processing, but ultimately finding a way to stay in the industry I am passionate about was key. I do the job I do today because I can still be connected to cows.
Describe how you feel about having your children involved with agriculture as well.
We have always strived to give them the option of being involved in agriculture— sometimes no option when the cows are out! Between my work and Heather being a large animal veterinarian, they certainly have not been able to escape agriculture. Regan is all things dairy while she begins a demanding career as a full-time firefighter/emergency medical technician. She is probably the reason we can still have cows. Between my travel schedule and Heather’s crazy vet practice, Regan provides the woman power to keep the dairy farm operating, fitting it around her work schedule. Our second child, Ryleigh, has no interest at all as she says she is the one always stuck rounding up the fence jumpers. She is happily beginning an education in community psychology and will always carry the agriculture roots with her. Asher? He loves his chickens and is looking forward to the days when someone in the Midwest will hire him to operate big equipment. Apparently, our 25-horsepower Kioti is less than inspiring to him.
Frozen in Time Sale Offers Unique Genetics
This past summer, Jersey Marketing Service managed a unique offering of Registered Jersey genetics. The Frozen in Time Semen and Embryo Sale auctioned eight lots of embryo packages and 29 lots of semen from legacy Jersey sires. The sale was conducted online through CowBuyer.com on August 12, 2024. The embryo packages averaged $1,181.25.
Corey Miller, Lyndonville, N.Y., purchased the high-selling embryo package for $1,500. The lot included five grade-1 in-vitro fertilization embryos sired by Guimo Joel-ET, GJPI-135, and out of Arethusa Grand Veanna. The package was consigned by Ryan Krull of George, Iowa.
“Veanna” is an Excellent-94% daughter of Rapid Bay Grandious, GJPI +93, with 19,310 lbs. milk, 1,058 lbs. fat and 749 lbs. protein at 5-5. Her dam, Arethusa Response Vanity-ET, Excellent-93%, has a best record of 5-10 305 22,760 6.4% 1,465 3.3% 751 98DCR. She has at least 20 Excellent maternal sisters, including Arethusa Response Vivid, Excellent-96%, Supreme Champion of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in 2014.
The next dam is Huronia Centurion Veronica 20J, Excellent-97%. She was Reserve National Grand Champion in 2002 and National Grand Champion two years later. She is also a two-time Supreme Champion of the Pennsylvania All-American Dairy Show and Supreme Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion of World Dairy Expo. “Veronica” was winner of the 2015 Jersey Journal Great Cow Contest and Jersey Canada’s inaugural Cow of the Year in 2011. She has seven complete lactations―four over 20,000 lbs. milk― and a best 365-day record of 24,442 lbs. milk, 1,380 lbs. fat and 955 lbs. protein at 6-8. She has 110 registered progeny to date and numerous other descendants.
Joseph H. Allen of Panton, Vt., purchased the co-high-selling semen lots with a final bid of $875 each. Each lot was five units of St-Lo Video-ET, GJPI -49. The lots were consigned by Hass Acres LLC, Evansville, Wis.
Five Jersey breeders from four states purchased embryos. Ten from nine states made semen purchases.
maxwell@tourmyfarm.com
rockbottomdairy@yahoo.com
highlandfarmsdairy@gmail.com
www.USJerseyJournal.com
waverlyfarm@comcast.net
info@ladylanefarm.com
martindairyllc@embarqmail.com
jbansen@gmail.com
jennie.seals@gmail.com
desijosi@wilsonview.com
Calendar
(continued from page 10)
Shows
MAR. 22—CLEMSON SPRING DAIRY SHOW, Clemson, S.C.; 8:00 a.m. (EDT) heifer show.
MAR. 23—CLEMSON SPRING DAIRY SHOW, Clemson, S.C.; 10:00 a.m. (EDT) cow show.
MAR. 27—OHIO SPRING DAIRY EXPO, Ohio State Expo Center, Columbus, Ohio; 8:00 a.m. (EDT); Roger Turner, Sun Prairie, Wis., judge.
MAR. 28-30—DAIRY HEIFER EXTRAVAGANZA, Payne County Expo Center, Stillwater, Okla.
MAR. 29—NEW YORK SPRING CAROUSEL JUNIOR JERSEY SHOW, Erie County Fairgrounds, Hamburg, N.Y.; 1:00 p.m. (EDT); Cassie Menedez, Edmeston, N.Y., judge.
MAR. 31—NEW YORK SPRING CAROUSEL JERSEY SHOW, Erie County Fairgrounds, Hamburg, N.Y.; 10:00 a.m. (EDT); Kelly Barbee, Concord, N.C., judge.
APR. 6-10—SOUTHERN NATIONAL JERSEY
SHOW, Payne County Expo Center, Stillwater, Okla.
APR. 25—NORTHEAST SPRING NATIONAL JERSEY SHOW, Springfield, Mass.; 8:00 a.m. (EDT). MAY 28-31—SOONER STATE DAIRY SHOW, Payne County Expo Center, Stillwater, Okla.
SEPT. 13—TENNESSEE STATE JUNIOR JERSEY SHOW, Nashville, Tenn.
SEPT. 29-OCT. 3—WORLD DAIRY EXPO, Madison, Wis.
NOV. 7-10—ALL AMERICAN JERSEY SHOWS AND SALES, Louisville, Ky.
Top 305-day Production Records of 2024
The following production records are the highest 305day records completed in 2024 as reported to the American Jersey Cattle Association. The records are based on actual pounds milk, fat, protein, and cheese yield.
By Milk Production
1. JX WINGERTS METAL AZELIA 8238 {6}
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. JX VIERRA LEONEL 17762 {4}
9. CINNAMON RIDGE PEACOCK AZALEA
10. JX RED TOP STEPH 50881 {4}
By Fat Production
1.
2.
3.
4. WOODMOHR LADY VICTORY
5. BREW-LINE SHOWDOWN POUNCE
6.
7. JX EVERGREEN RONALDO 5127 {4}
8. SUNNYBEND BARNABAS SPRINKLES
The reported lactations were compiled from data submitted to The American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) from USDA-AIPL and the regional processing centers. All published records appear on Official Performance Pedigrees of the AJCA.
Diley Jerseys, Williams Jerseys & Lauren & Luke Albright, Canal Winchester, Ohio
97DCR 3,632 Woodmohr Jerseys, Bloomer, Wis.
Stacy Brewer, Bangor, Penn.
98DCR 3,184 Wilsonview Dairy, Tillamook, Ore.
4,019 Evergreen Dairy, Antigo, Wis.
94DCR 3,424 Walk-Le Farm LLC, Thomasville, Penn.
98DCR 3,187 Wilsonview Dairy
3,301 Regan Jackson, Clear Brook, Va.
Kara Alice Maxwell, Donahue, Iowa
Evergreen Dairy
owenswlsd@yahoo.com
abby.tauchen@gmail.com
hounddogkarl@yahoo.com
https://ddjerseys.usjerseyjournal.com/
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GENETIC IMPROVEMENT
Sires Ranked by Number of Sons Registered, 2024
In 2024, there were 86,774 animals recorded by the American Jersey Cattle Association. Those animals were sired by 2,331 different bulls (2,016 recorded sires). Which bulls are used most widely? Who are the leading sires of sons?
A total of 60 bulls sired 10 or more sons registered in 2024. In total, these bulls sired 30.3% of all Jerseys—male and female—and 85.7% of all males recorded (1,361) during the year. The 42 bulls siring 13 or more sons are listed below.
Studying the top 10, 20 or 30 of these bulls is important for two reasons. First, they are largely determining the breed’s production capability in the near future. Second, they are going to continue to exert their influence upon the breed’s genetic merit for production and functional fitness for many years through their registered sons. Since the introduction of genomics to the dairy industry, this list has trended towards GCode bulls being the most heavily used.
The relative genetic contribution of the 60 sires with 10 or more
sons to the genetic pool for 2024, is indicated by the weighted average (bottom line of the table). The average GJPI is +135 of the sires and they have a +4.1 Productive Life (PL) and are +13.8 for GJUI. This average is higher than the raw average of their PTAs. The bulls with the highest PTAs are contributing the most to the average genetic merit of sons registered in 2023.
Bulls by Group
The top 10 bulls ranked by the number of sons registered sired a total of 12,519 offspring, of which 393 were sons. The group was the highest combination of type and production traits of the groups, ranking second for production and first for Final Score Type and genomic Jersey Udder Index at +16.1. The third group was the highest for most production traits including Milk at +1,006 and Cheese Merit Dollars at +663.
* Bulls included are Generation Count 4 or higher with a BBR 100.
For 60 bulls siring 10 or more sons:
ahlemfarms@aol.com
claussjerz@yahoo.com
March 1 Deadline for Production Contests
Entries are due no later than March 1 for the Living Lifetime Production Contest and the National Jersey Youth Production Contest.
To be eligible for the Living Lifetime Production Contest, cows must be
natalie.sanders@hotmail.com
alive as of December 31, 2024, with either minimum production credits on DHIR test of 225,000 lbs. milk, 10,000 lbs. fat, and 8,000 lbs. protein.
To enter the contest, submit a DHI cow page with lifetime production credits for each animal nominated to Lori King, Herd Services Manager
beth@marcootjerseycreamery.com
at the AJCA office, 6486 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-2362. Entries may also be faxed to her attention at 614/861-8040.
Entries are also due March 1 for the National Jersey Youth Production Contest. Contestants between the ages of 9 and 19 on January 1, 2024, are eligible if they are the recorded owner of the cow on or before her freshening date. Registered Jerseys completing DHIR or DHIA records of 305-days or less between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, may be entered.
Call the Communications Department for entry forms at 614/322-4451. The form is also available from the USJersey website.
In Memoriam
Elizabeth Joyce Brown
Elizabeth “Joyce” Brown, Centerburg, Ohio, 90, passed away peacefully at her home on January 10, 2025.
She was born on August 20, 1934, to the late Rex and Marcella Moreland and grew up on Chapman Farm, owned by her parents. She married Robert W. Brown on February 11, 1955.
In 1967, after Robert left his 12year job as a storeroom truck driver for Pittsburgh Plate Glass, the couple took over management of Chapmore Farm. Joyce was a dedicated wife and homemaker and worked alongside Robert milking and promoting their Registered Jerseys. The family showed cattle under the farm name, Brownline Jerseys, exhibiting at the Ohio Spring Dairy Expo, Ohio State Fair, World Dairy Expo and the All American Jersey Show.
Joyce was active in 4-H in her youth and carried that dedication to the organization into adulthood as an advisor in Knox County for over 35 years. She was a lifetime member of Milford Church of Christ, where she played piano, served with the Dorcas Society and could be counted on to prepare delicious dishes for church functions. She was famous for pies made for the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival.
If you ever had the opportunity to meet Joyce, it was evident she was an angel on earth. She always wore a smile, had a positive attitude and thought of others before herself. She enjoyed feeding and watching birds and loved flowers and her cat.
Joyce is survived by children, Brenda (Ralph) Uhe of Footville, Wisc., Stuart (Dee) Brown of Centerburg and Cindy Brown of Walhonding, Ohio; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Eileen Johns of Aluchua, Fla.; and her caregiver, Katie Gribben.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Bob, in December 2020.
Memorials may be made to Milford Church of Christ, 3648 Johnstown Rd., Centerburg, OH 43011.
Patricia Virginia Wickstrom
Patricia Virgina “Pat” Wickstrom, Hilmar, Calif., 90, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her immediate family on January 13, 2025. She was born in Turlock, Calif., on September 27, 1934, to the late Earl and
Virginia Goodell. She graduated from Hilmar High School in 1952 and earned a degree from San Jose State College in 1956. That same year, she married her lifelong partner, Duane Wickstrom, embarking on a journey that spanned nearly seven decades.
Pat’s life was a testament to education, family and community service. She began her career as an accredited teacher and dedicated years to educating others as a substitute teacher.
In 1968, Duane and Pat established Wickstrom Jersey Farm with 160 cows and bred cattle using the Du-Pat prefix. Pat managed the office and supported the family business alongside Duane. She was also his steadfast right hand in all things: his biggest softball fan, an active supporter of his work on dairy boards, and a proponent of his Rotary Club activities.
Pat was also a staunch supporter of all things Jersey as Duane helped to found Jerseyland Sires in 1979, was a twoterm director of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and received the AJCA Master Breeder Award in 2002. Their two sons, Scott and Mike, followed in his footsteps as AJCA board members as well and are now milking several thousand Jerseys on two farms in Hilmar with their families.
Off the farm, Pat was a Boy Scout den mother and a Girl Scout leader. She was president of the Parent Teacher Association, a volunteer for the Emanuel Medical Center and chair and co-chair of the annual Swedish smorgasbord dinner at Hilmar Covenant Church. She was a member of Soroptimist International, the Philanthropic Educational Organization, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Tuesday reading club. She served 25 years on the board of the Merced County Office of Education.
Pat also found joy in travel, which included international destinations while Duane served with the World Jersey Cattle Bureau. She also enjoyed cheering on Hilmar’s sports teams.
Pat is survived by three children and their spouses, Scott (Vicki) Wickstrom, Susan Vierra and Michael (Margaret) Wickstrom; a sister, Marilyn Johnson; seven grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, Duane, in December 2021.
Memorials may be made in Pat’s honor to a charity of your choice.
Camille Marie Kopriva Regli
Camille Marie Kopriva Regli, Fortuna, Calif., 86, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025, surrounded by family. She passed after a long battle with lung complications caused by Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and a recent battle with multiple myeloma.
The eldest of five children, she was born on July 18, 1938, in Bowbells, N.D., to Eugene and Dolores Kopriva. Growing up during the transformative years of World War II, the family moved to Key West, Fla., where her father taught navigation in the Navy, and then to several other states. They eventually settled in St. Maries, Idaho, where Camille completed high school. She continued her education at Humboldt State University and then at San Francisco State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in medical technology in 1960.
During the summer of 1958, while home in Fortuna, Camille’s roommate, Pat Regli, introduced her to her older brother, Joe, who had returned from serving in the Army in Germany. The two married on September 17, 1960, and Camille worked as a lab technician for St. Joseph Hospital until their first child was born in 1961. Together, they raised five children on their family farm, Seawood Jerseys, where she dedicated herself to motherhood, community involvement and feeding calves.
Among the challenges in her life was the flood of 1964. Both the dairy and the lower level of their home were submerged, and they lost several animals and a prized bull. Camille recalled a man in a “frog suit” coming to the window in a boat to rescue the children, all under five. While the children stayed with local family and friends, Camille undertook the daunting task of cleaning up, aided by local nuns who purchased baby formula and donated funds to make repairs.
The farm is now continued in Ferndale, Calif., under the name Regli Jerseys, operated by their son, Jim, who was named the 2024 Master Breeder by the California State Jersey Cattle Association.
Camille discovered her passion for painting in 1975 while taking classes at College of the Redwoods. Her oil paintings, particularly showcasing the scenic beauty of the Ferndale Valley, won numerous awards and can be found in many homes throughout Humboldt County. She co-founded the Ferndale Arts Cooperative in 1990 and (continued to page 38)
In Memoriam
(continued from page 37)
managed the fine arts building at the Humboldt County Fair for many years.
She was a 4-H leader and chaperone for ski club trips well into her 70s. She was active with Ferndale Band Boosters, involved with the Philanthropic Educational Organization and a docent at the Ferndale Museum.
Camille cherished family gatherings and time with friends, including her beloved card groups. She cheered on grandchildren at sporting events, FFA competitions and 4-H activities. Above all, she was an active member of Assumption Church. From daily mass to praying the rosary, her devout faith inspired friends, children and grandchildren.
In addition to her son, Jim, and his wife, Susan, she is survived by four other children, Michael (Sally) Regli, Rebecca (John) Leveille, Bernadette (John) Church, and Dennis (Denise) Regli; 13 grandchildren; eight greatgrandchildren; sister, Mary Caswell; brother, Andy (Joanne) Kopriva; brother-in-law, Phil (Harlean) Regli; sister-in-law, Pat Cahill; brother-in-law, John (Sally) Regli; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; a brother, Jim Kopriva; a sister, Karel Perras; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Eileen and Wes Simpson; brothers-in-law, Dick Cahill, Vance Caswell and Jimmy Regli; and in-laws, Antone and Elizabeth Regli.
Memorials may be made to Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa, P.O. Box 1297, Santa Rosa, CA 95402, for the support of the special project, 1st Daughter House in Ferndale, Calif.; Assumption Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1097, Ferndale, CA 95536; Alpha-1 Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134; or St. Vincent de Paul, Redwoods Council, 35 West 3rd St., Eureka, CA 95501.
