Premium Genetics Bring Sales Average Up for Jersey Breed in 2023

In 2023, the prices for Registered Jerseys sold at public auctions fell in line with recent trends. Based on sales reported to the Jersey Journal, the American Jersey Cattle Association reports a new historical high breed average of $4,009.86 on 938 head. Though the average shatters the previous record from 2022, it is skewed by the sale of several elite animals. The median of $2,000 is a more realistic assessment of prices paid at public auction.

As well, a significantly smaller group of animals were sold at public auction in 2023, down more than 550 head from the previous year. This, coupled with premium prices for a handful of animals, contributed to the higher average price.

The statistics also document a rapidly changing environment for cattle marketing. Today, the popular commercial sales of years past have essentially disappeared. During 2023, just one volume sale managed by Jersey Marketing Service (JMS) offered Registered Jerseys in quantities close to years past. As industry dynamics change, including the way commercial dairy producers purchase replacements, the volume sale format is less popular than it was just five years ago.

2023 Auction Sale Summary

157	Cows, two years and over	$4,456.53	$699,675
	9 calves under three months, sold with dam	491.67	4,425
262	Bred heifers	2,443.61	640,225
	151 3rd trimester bred heifers	2,062.32	305,975
	49 2nd trimester bred heifers	2,159,69	105,825
	62 1st trimester bred heifers	3,684.27	228,425
78	Open yearlings	3,430.45	267,575
375	Heifer calves	4,531.20	1,699,200
1	Bull	63,600	63,600
14	Embryos or flush packages	2,307.14	32,300
24	Choices of calves	7,360.42	176,650
27	Rights to flush	6,577.78	177,600
938	Lots	$4,009.85	$3,761,250

The balance of inventory and demand for replacement is also being equalized as producers better manage replacement needs using sexed semen and capitalize on attractive cull cow prices and a thriving market for beef on dairy genetics. Soaring interest rates, high feed costs and low milk prices cause producers to think hard about every replacement raised or purchased. Locale is a major factor in price and demand as well. Large numbers of dairy cows continue to head to Idaho, Kansas, Texas and South Dakota as processing plants are constructed and the business environment is deemed more favorable here than in other parts of the country.

Though fewer commercial sales are being held, niche markets for specialty genetics continue to thrive. Twenty-five lots sold for $20,000 or more during 2023, most through three sales managed by cattle breeders—the Best of Triple T and Heath, Decades of Dupat and South Mountain Spotlight—or the Jersey breed’s preeminent sales, the All American Jersey Sale and the National Heifer Sale. Several Jersey breeders found success with events that featured their genetics and those of guest consignors, including the Post Time at Ratliff’s IV, with an average of $2,813.27 on 98 lots, and the Spring Spotlight at Kilgus Tag Sale II, with an average of $2,514.89 on 47 lots.

Today, premium genetics tend to fall into the category of either “genomics” or “high type,” and sale managers often catalog both to attract buyers. Among the top 20 prices paid in 2023, there was an equal balance of elite genomics and fancy show cows. Genetics companies capitalized on the opportunity to purchase top genetics in a public offering. Jersey breeders made purchases to round out their show strings or to develop genetics from well-known cow families in their own herds.

The 19 public auctions included in the sales analysis were held in the United States during the calendar year 2023 and submitted to the Jersey Journal by January 1, 2024. 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 high-selling individuals.

High-Averaging and Grossing Sale

The previously mentioned Decades of Dupat sale was the high-averaging and grossing sale of 2023. The Wickstrom family of Hilmar, Calif., hosted the sale to celebrate 50 years of breeding Registered Jerseys. In all, 99 Jersey lots sold for an average of $10,829.29 and a gross of $1,072,100.

The two-day event held March 4-5 at the farm was managed by Nathan and Jenny Thomas and the late Michael Heath. Decades of Dupat was among the last sales to be orchestrated by Heath before his untimely passing on March 23. Chris Hill was the auctioneer and Norm Nabholz read pedigrees. The lineup included consignments from Wickstrom Jersey Farms Inc., Kash-In Holsteins and Jerseys of Tulare, Calif., and other guest consignors. Genomic lots were coordinated by Brad Barham of Redland Genetics.

Seven of the 20 high-selling individuals for 2023 were struck off at the venue, including the high-selling individual, Dupat Monster 26455-P-ET. She was purchased by ABS Global Inc., de Forest, Wis., for $110,000, and consigned by Wickstrom Jersey Farms. The daughter of Four J Monster {6}-P-ET, GJPI +184, was the breed’s #1 polled female for GJPI and Cheese Merit Dollars (CM$) on sale day. Today she has a GJPI of +168 and is +826 for CM$. She has Genomic Predicted Transmitting Abilities (GPTAs) of +1,316M, +78F (+0.06%) and +50P (+0.01%). “Monster 26455-P” is backed by eight Very Good or Excellent dams.

A pair of other high genomic heifer calves that were purchased by Select Sires and Semex of Plain City, Ohio, at Decades of Dupat were the second and third high-selling individuals. Kash-In Happy New Year-ET, a 2023 New Year’s Day baby, sold for $90,000. The high-component daughter of Ahem Gifted Geppetto {6}-ET, GJPI +149, ranked #2 for CM$ on sale day and #12 for GJPI. She currently ranks #159 for genetic merit with a GJPI of +199. She has GPTAs of +1,077M, +75F (+0.10%) and +50P (+0.05%). She is +879 for CM$, +0.7 for Cow Conception Rate (CCR) and +1.4 for Heifer Conception Rate (HCR). “New Year” was consigned by Kash-In Jerseys.

JX Jer-Z-Boyz Moore Mae 83892 {6}-P-ET sold for $80,000. The December 2022 daughter of DG Bar Maid Moore-ET, GJPI +139, is currently the breed’s #13 polled female with a GJPI of +199. She is plus for CCR, HCR and Daughter Pregnancy Rate and is +848 for CM$. “Mae 83892 {6}-P” is a potential seventh-generation Very Good or Excellent. She was consigned by Jer-Z-Boyz Ranch, Pixley, Calif.

Another individual that sold in Hilmar and ranks on the list of the year’s 20 high sellers is Budjon-Vail Jordan C Shaneese-ET. Kash-In Jerseys placed the final bid of $51,000 on “Shaneese” to buy out partners Carly and Rebecca Shaw and retain sole ownership. The daughter of Chilli Action Colton-ET, GJPI -75, is the Winner of the 2022 National Jersey Jug Futurity. She was Reserve Intermediate Champion of the International Jersey Show in 2022 and All American Winter Calf in 2019.

“Shaneese” completed a 3-4 lactation of 25,610 lbs. milk, 1,258 lbs. fat and 999 lbs. protein and was raised to Excellent-93% in October 2023. Ownership of “Shaneese” now includes the Kasbergen grandchildren—Kamryn, Kate and Colt. Kamryn showed “Shaneese” at the International Junior Jersey Show in October, where she topped her class as a four-year-old, and at the All American Junior Jersey Show in November, where stood fifth. “Shaneese” is out of Shulte Bros Tequila Shot-ET, Excellent-95%, a two-time All-Canadian.

Three other genomic lots sold through Decades of Dupat also rank on the list of the year’s 20 high sellers. Select Sires partnered with Jerseyland Sires to purchase the year’s ninth high-selling lot for $40,000. Selling as a choice of two full sisters, the genetics companies chose Dupat Jalapeno 26678-ET. The November 2022 daughter of Forest Glen Jiggy Jalapeno-ET, GJPI +150, ranks among the breed’s top 500 for GJPI with an index of +184. She is +1.3 for Type and has a Genomic Jersey Udder Index (JUI) of +21. She was consigned by Wickstrom Jersey Farms.

Another deep-pedigreed genomic heifer calf, JX Dupat Zippy {5}-P-ET, sold for $32,000 to Peak Genetics of Watertown, Wis. Sired by Goff S-S-I Listowel Dabo-P-ET, GJPI +160, she ranks #180 among polled females with a GJPI of +174. The May 2022 heifer has GPTAs of +429M, +63F (+0.19%) and +35P (+0.09%). She is backed by eight Very Good or Excellent dams. “Zippy {5}” was consigned by Wickstrom Jersey Farm.

Sexing Technologies, S. Charleston, Ohio, purchased Kash-In Chief 70016 for $27,500. The October 2022 daughter of JX River Valley Chief {6}-ET, GJPI +144, has a GJPI of +172. She is +1.6 for Type and has GPTAs of +1,604M, +89F (+0.05%) and +64P (+0.02%). “Chief 70016” was consigned by Kash-In Jerseys.

Second High-Averaging Sale

South Mountain Spotlight was the second high-averaging and third high-grossing sale of 2023, with an average of $9,496.36 on 55 lots and gross receipts of $522,300. The July 1 sale was hosted by Ernest Kueffner and Terri Packard of Kueffner Holsteins and South Mountain Jerseys at the Washington County Ag Center in Boonsboro, Md. The auctioneer was Adam Fraley. The sale catalog was created to honor Heath, a fellow Boonsboro Jersey breeder who convinced Ernie to invest in Jerseys more than 30 years ago and played a key role in every sale the couple managed over the years.

Like Decades of Dupat, seven females that sold in the South Mountain Spotlight ranked among the top 20 high-selling individuals for the year. The high seller, South Mountain Whistlin Dixie-ET, was purchased by Glamourview, a partnership of Iager and Walton of Walkersville, Md., for $60,000. The daughter of ST-Lo Nuance-ET, GJPI +13, sold bred to Avonlea Chocochip-ET, GJPI -35, in mid-June. For her new owners, she stood third in the winter yearling class at the International Jersey Show in October and then earned All American laurels at the All American Jersey Show in November.

“Whistlin Dixie” is out of Crossbrook HG Dixie-ET, Excellent-94%, Reserve Grand Champion of the 2015 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF). Her third dam is Arethusa Huronia Centurion Veronica 20J, Excellent-97%, the 2004 National Grand Champion and 2006 Supreme Champion of World Dairy Expo. “Whistlin Dixie” was consigned by Kueffner and Packard and David and Charity Packard of Boonsboro.

Glamourview purchased several other show prospects at South Mountain Spotlight as well, including South Mountain RCD Rock N Roll-ET for $30,000. The winter calf sired by Mr Kathies Kid Rock, GJPI -214, is from the “Rosey” cow family developed at South Mountain Jerseys. Her dam, South Mountain Andreas Rascal-ET, Excellent-93%, was Reserve Intermediate Champion of The Jersey Event in 2020. The next dam, South Mountain Voltage Radiant-ET, Excellent-94%, is the Winner of the 2018 National Jersey Jug Futurity. She is a two-time All American and Reserve Grand Champion of the International Jersey Show.

“Rock N Roll” was consigned by the partnership of Kueffner and Packard and RCD Jerseys. At the sale, Kueffner and Packard also bought out their partnership with RCD on ownership of Lot 1, “Rock N Roll’s” dam, “Rascal,” to become sole owners with a final bid of $26,000.

A pair of fancy young cows consigned by Kueffner and Packard were the second and third high sellers of South Mountain Spotlight. Drentex Velocity Glitterbug sold for $41,500 to La Casa de Leche LLC and Country Ayre Farms, Dewittville, N.Y. The Excellent-91% daughter of Arethusa Jade Velocity-ET, GJPI -149, was first milking yearling at The Jersey Event in 2022 and placed second in her class at the Maryland State Fair.

Peter Vail and Budjon Farms, Lomira, Wis., purchased Spring View Joel Kinsley, an Excellent-93% daughter of Guimo Joel-ET, GJPI -127, for $41,000. She was Intermediate and Honorable Mention Grand Champion of the Maryland State Fair in 2022.

South Mountain Spotlight was the venue for the purchase of two other fancy show cows. Arethusa Gentry Chevelle-ET was purchased by Megan Moede, Algoma, Wis., for $39,000. The  Excellent-91% daughter of Rapid Bay Indiana Gentry-ET, JPI -166, is from the “Comet” line of the “Veronica” cow family. “Chevelle” was Reserve All American Winter Yearling in 2021 and Honorable Mention Intermediate Champion of The Jersey Event in 2022. For her new owner, she was Reserve Intermediate Champion of the International Junior Jersey Show in October and placed second in the open show’s senior three-year-old class.

“Chevelle’s” dam, Arethusa Veronicas Comet-ET, Excellent-95%, was Grand Champion of the RAWF in 2010. Her grandam is “Veronica.” “Chevelle” was consigned by RCD Jerseys, Kueffner and Packard.

The other fancy show cow, SSF VIP Janie, Excellent-93%, sold for $25,000 to Ava Hebgen and Avery Best of de Forest, Wis. Sired by River Valley Venus VIP-ET, GJPI -140, she was Supreme Champion of the Northeast All Breeds Spring Show in 2023 and Honorable Mention Grand Champion of the Ohio Spring Dairy Expo in 2022. She was consigned by RCD Jerseys, Kueffner, Packard and Rodney Hetts of Boonsboro.

Other High Averaging Sales

The Best of Triple T and Heath was the third high-averaging and second-high-grossing sale of 2023. The ninth sale of the series was a bittersweet one for co-managers Nathan and Jenny Thomas as it came just four weeks after the passing of co-manager Michael Heath. In all, 81 Jersey lots were auctioned for an average of $6,851.85 and a gross of $555,000 on April 22 in Circleville, Ohio.

Four lots sold for prices ranked among the year’s 20 best, including the year’s high-selling open yearling, Big Guns Kid Rock Villa-ET. Glamourview placed the final bid of $35,000 to add the “Kid Rock” daughter to their elite show string. She is the reigning Junior Champion of the New York Spring Carrousel and two of her maternal sisters have been named National Junior Champion: Big Guns Andreas Virtue-ET in 2018 and Big Guns Andreas Velvet-ET in 2020. Their dam, Big Guns Jamaica Vanilla, Excellent-95% was All American Aged Cow in 2016 and All-Canadian Five-Year-Old in 2012.

“Villa” was consigned by Madison S. Fisher of Frostburg, Md., and placed fourth in the spring yearling class at the International Jersey Show in October for Glamourview.