National Heifer Sale 2021
New Series High Average for National Heifer Sale
First, it happened in Ohio in 2018, and, then again in New York in 2019. It came about virtually last year thanks to the pandemic. It happened again this year on June 25 in Iowa when the National Heifer Sale concluded with a new high average for the series at $11,138.88 on 27 lots. Four years, four consecutive record-high averages have been posted for the premier event to raise funds for national Jersey youth programs. It is the third consecutive time the average has surpassed $10,000. The gross of $300,750 ranks fourth for the series.
The 64th National Heifer Sale was a virtual one, held under a tent at Cinnamon Ridge Dairy in Donahue. Jersey breeders watched pre-recorded video of the lots on four giant screens as the sale was conducted, with Todd Woodruff crying and Jersey Marketing Service Manager Greg Lavan reading pedigrees. Fittingly, the event ended with a brilliant display of fireworks.
Prices were as steamy as the weather in the heart of the Corn Belt, with eight lots selling for $10,000 or more, led by the highest genomic lot of the bunch selling for $85,000. The second high seller was a choice that was struck off for $35,000―a new breed history record for a choice.
The previously mentioned high seller was JX Gure Behia Skyler 3946 {5}, purchased by Matthew Steiner of Pine Tree Dairy, Marshallville, Ohio, and consigned by Chateau Basque Jerseys, Ceres, Calif.
JX Gure Behia Skyler 3946 {5} was the high seller of the all-virtual 65th National Heifer Sale, purchased by Matthew Steiner for $85,000. She was consigned by Chateau Basque Jerseys. Receiving the Kenny Stiles Memorial Award on behalf of the dairy for consigning the heifer is Tyler Boyd, second left. Also pictured are 2020 National Jersey Queen Natatlie Berry, JMS Manager Greg Lavan and Hannah Diehl, winner of the Fred Stout Experience Award.
| Number | Average Price | Total Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3 bred heifers | $4,833.33 | $14,500 |
| 2 open yearlings | $7000.00 | $14,000 |
| 20 heifer calves | $11,062.50 | $221,250 |
| 1 rights to flush | $16,000.00 | $16,000 |
| 1 choice of calves | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| 27 lots | $11,138.89 | $300,750 |
| Median Price | $6,500.00 |
This needle-in-the-haystack story validates genotyping and the discovery of animals whose genetic merit would otherwise not be found. “Skyler 3946 {5}” was genotyped as an incentive for consignors to genotype up to three prospects free of charge. Chateau Basque deemed her a good candidate because she was P-level 9 and her dam had a relatively high PA JPI. Good candidate was an understatement as the heifer received a genomic evaluation that ranked #54 for JPI and #20 for CM$ among all Registered Jerseys on sale day.
The February 2021 daughter of Progenesis Skyler-ET, GJPI +114, has GPTAs of +565M, +82F (+0.25%) and +42P (+0.10%), with a combined fat and protein yield of 124 lbs. Today she ranks #67 for genetic merit with a GJPI of +154 and is +654 CM$. She tested free for JNS and A2A2 for beta casein.
Her dam is sired by JX Blue Mist Mesquite {3}-ET, GJPI +132. Unfortunately, she was sold for dairy purposes before her true genetic merit was discovered. The next dam, JX CDF Mate 174 {6}, is a Very Good-86% daughter of JX Ahlem Jumbo Mate {5}, GJPI +90, with a two lactation m.e. average of 22,234―1,051―825. She ranked among the top 1.5% for genetic merit on sale day. The next two dams have m.e. lactation averages over 22,400―980―760 on four records.
The partnership of Peak and Semex, Watertown, Wis., purchased the previously mentioned choice for $35,000. They chose JX Ahlem Fever Dream 59605 {6}-P-ET over her full sister. The October 2020 heifer calf is sired by JX Dupat Fever {5}-P-ET, GJPI +99. She has GPTAs of +1,521M, +58F and +47. She ranks #45 among polled females with a GJPI of +141. As well, she tested free for JNS and A2A2.
Her dam, Ahlem Listowel Dream 53757-PP, ranks #3 on the polled list with a GJPI of +162. Many of her maternal sisters rank for genetic merit as well. Their dam, Ahlem Critic Dream 49784-P, Very Good-83%, has a three lactation m.e. average of 24,061―1,162―878. She ranks among the top 1.5% genotyped cows with a GJPI of +93.
The next three dams have actual records over 20,000 lbs. milk. The sixth dam, Ahlem John Dream 2771, Very Good-88%, has a best record of 3-0 305 3x 22,190 4.0% 882 3.4% 755 96DCR. The next dam, Ahlem Freedom Dream 452, Excellent-90%, has a top record of 28,020 lbs. milk, 1,309 lbs. fat and 1,020 lbs. protein at 5-0.
The second high selling lot was a choice between JX Ahlem Fever Dream {6}-P-ET and her full sister. Peak and Semex, represented by Jacob Leum, center, placed the final bid of $35,000 and chose "Dream {6}-P-ET." She was consigned by Ahlem Farms Partnership, represented by Jonathan Merriam, far left. The choice is the breed's new historical high-selling choice. Also pictured are Queen Berry, Lavan and Diehl.
“Dream 59605 {6}-P” was consigned by Ahlem Farms Partnership, Hilmar, Calif.
Bos Dairy LLC, Lovington, N.M., placed the final bid of $18,000 on the third high seller, Pro-Hart Demos Tillie-PP. The homozygous polled daughter of All Lynns Demos-P-ET, GJPI +119, is plus for components, with GPTAs of +418M, +28F (+0.04%) and +25P (+0.04%). She has a GPTA of +89 and tested free for JNS and A2A2. She is +0.1 for Daughter Pregnancy Rate, +1.1 for Cow Conception Rate and +1.0 for Heifer Conception Rate.
Her dam, Grammar CriticP Tracy-P, was purchased by consignor Cole Provoast, Prescott, Mich., in the 2014 Pot O’Gold Sale. The Excellent-95% daughter of Schultz Legal Critic-P, GJPI +50, has six lactations and a best record of 5-8 305 3x 21,380 4.8% 1,034 3.5% 742 92DCR. She was Youth Champion of the 2017 Michigan Summer Jersey Show and the 2018 Michigan State Fair. The next two dams are appraised Very Good. Her Very Good-83% fifth dam has seven lactations―four of them over 20,000 lbs. milk―and a best record of 4-3 292 3x 23,740 4.5% 1,066 3.4% 809 94DCR.
The fourth high seller, Legendairy Dove, also has roots to the Pot O’Gold Sale nine generations back. The five-month-old daughter of Primus Viceroy Caliban-ET, GJPI +114, was purchased by Peak Genetics, Watertown, Wis., for $17,000 and consigned by Thomas L. and Jennie L. Seals, Beaver, Ore. “Dove” has GPTAs of +1,148M, +39F and +42P. She has a GJPI of +135, which ranks among the top 1.5% for genetic merit, and is +7.0 for Productive Life.
Her dam, JX Legendairy GM Danae {6}, Very Good-85%, has a first lactation m.e. of 21,092―1,001―770 at 1-11. She ranks among the top 1.5% genotyped cows with a GJPI of +102. The next dam is a Very Good-81% daughter of Sunset Canyon Daybreak-ET, GJPI +84, with a three lactation m.e. average of 19,603―1,070―812. The next dam, Sun Valley Renegade Damzel, Very Good-85%, has a pair of records over 23,100 lbs. milk, 1,200 lbs. fat and 860 lbs. protein. Her sixth dam is Excellent-93%. Her seventh dam, Sun Valley Expo Delite, Excellent-92%, placed in the 2007 Leading Living Lifetime Production Contest. Her eighth dam is Excellen-91%. Her ninth dam is Duncan Brave PR Dee, Very Good-84%, winner of the 1989 National Jersey Youth Production Contest and the 1990 Pot O’Gold Production Contest. She has five lactations―all over 20,000 lbs. milk.
Sexing Technologies, Navasota, Texas, purchased the fifth high selling lot: rights to IVF Pine-Tree 348 Dalton Jala 2617-P. With a final bid of $16,000, the company determines the mating sire for “Jala 2617-P” and receives a minimum of eight #1 or #2 embryos. The lot was consigned by Matthew Steiner.
“Jala 2617-P” is sired by All Lynns Listowel Dalton-P-ET, GJPI +112, and out of Wetumpka Viceroy Java-P. The January 2021 heifer calf has GPTAs of +901M, +57F (+0.06%) and +44P (+0.05%). She is +1.0 for DPR, +1.8 for CCR and +2.3 for HCR. She ranks #84 among polled females with a GJPI of +131 and is JNSF.
Her dam is the historical high seller of the National Heifer Sale, purchased by Steiner in 2019 for $103,000 from Cheryl Carlson of Tully, N.Y. She is a Very Good-85% daughter of CDF Viceroy-ET, GJPI +98, with a projected m.e. of 23,805―1,302―914 at 2-5. She ranks among the top 1.5% for GJPI with an index of +110. The next dam is an Excellent-90% daughter of Wilsonview Jevon Magnum-ET, GJPI +79, with an m.e. average of 22,783―1,183―897 on two records. Her Very Good-85% third dam has a three lactation m.e. average of 21,847―1,194―816. Her Very Good-86% fourth dam has an m.e. average of 21,013―1,082―778 on two lactations.
Jerseyland Sires, Turlock, Calif., bought the sixth high seller, Lucky Hill Hid Without a Doubt {6}, for $13,000. The high-component daughter of JX Ahlem World Cup Hidalgo {5}-ET, GJPI +102, is from a cow family that has sold well at elite Jersey Sales. She has GPTAs of +37F (+0.21%) and +14P (+0.09%) and ranks among the top 1.5% for genetic merit with a GJPI of +130. She is +1.1 for Type, +14.6 for Jersey Udder Index and +5.5 for Productive Life. She is +6.27 for Health Trait Index and tested JNSF and A2A2.
Her dam is a Very Good-84% daughter of JX Kash-In Shootout {5}-P-ET, GJPI +28, with an m.e. average of 19,998―1,085―812 and component tests of 5.5% fat and 4.1% protein on three lactations. She ranks among the top 1.5% genotyped cows with a GJPI of +100. Her maternal sister was the third high selling female of the 2017 All American Jersey Sale. A daughter of another maternal sister was the third high seller of the 2019 National Heifer Sale.
The grandam of “Without a Doubt {6}” is Lucky Hill Ballistic Winnie-ET, Very Good-85%. She has an m.e. average of 19,165―1,066―779 on four lactations and ranks for genetic merit with a GJPI of +106. The next dam, Lucky Hill Joker Waborita, Very Good-87%, has five lactations―all over 20,000 lbs. milk―and a top record of 6-10 285 23,560 4.7% 1,118 3.7% 862 101DCR. The next two dams are appraised Very Good as well.
“Without a Doubt {6}” was consigned by Lucky Hill Farm, Danville, Vt.
In all, 18 Jersey breeders from nine states made purchases.
2020 National Jersey Queen Natalie Berry and 2020 Iowa Dairy Princess Meghan Hettinga display a basket of Mississippi items donated for the benefit of the National Jersey Queen Fund.
Fundraising Activities
Items were also auctioned to raise funds for specific causes. Bradley and Carla Taylor, Booneville, Miss., donated a basket with Mississippi items on behalf of fellow Mississippi Jersey breeders for the Charlene Nardone National Jersey Queen Fund. The basket was purchased by Eric and Terry Lyon of Toledo, Iowa, for $350. Trans Ova donated a pair of IVF certificates purchased by Kash-In Jerseys, Tulare, Calif. One certificate benefitted AJCA Jersey youth programs to the tune of $1,000. The other supported the AJCA-NAJ Annual Meeting Fund established by Iowa Jersey breeders with $1,000 as well.
Beyond Buyers and Sellers
Since 1958, the National Heifer Sale has been the single largest contributor to national youth development activities of the American Jersey Cattle Association. It is standard for each consignor to donate a portion of the animal’s selling price to the fund. This year, $30,075 will be contributed in support of the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest and the National Jersey Youth Production Contest, to fund travel for Youth Jersey Breeder Award recipients to annual meetings and to sponsor other youth activities throughout the year.
AJCA-NAJ Executive Secretary Neal Smith, left, and AJCA President Jonathan Merriam, right, thank the Maxwells - John, Amy and Joan - for hosting the 64th National Heifer Sale.
AJCA-NAJ Executive Secretary Neal Smith, left, thanks sale co-chairs, Eric Lyon, Blake Schulte and Kevin Knapp, for their service in the record-setting event.
Meghan Hettinga, left, and Hannah Diehl, second right, were recognized as winners of the Fred Stout Experience by committee members Tara Bohnert Yoder, second left, and Aaron Horst.