Summary of March 2022 AJCA, NAJ Board Meetings
The winter meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) Boards of Directors were held virtually March 9-11, 2022, via Zoom. Actions taken are summarized.
AJCA-NAJ-AJSC Finances
Unaudited financial reports through December 31, 2021, were reviewed, showing:
• AJCA revenues of $3,496,724 and expenditures of $3,260,485 for net income from operations of $236,239, before unrealized gains on investments of $65,745;
• NAJ revenues of $869,607 and expenditures of $704,616, for net income from operations of $164,991 before unrealized gains on investments of $26,003; and
• All-Jersey Sales Corporation (Jersey Marketing Service) revenues of $167,238 and expenditures of $188,010 for a net loss from operations of $20,772.
The 2021 investment summary and unaudited Research, Scholarship and Special Funds summary were approved. Market value of all investments at December 31 was $7,666,502.
Financial statements through January 31, 2021, were approved, reporting net income for all companies of $262,053.
The continued use of electronic voting for the elections of the AJCA and NAJ was endorsed by the boards of directors.
The AJCA board voted to appropriate $100,000 and the NAJ board voted to appropriate $100,000 of 2021 net income for future research and development projects.
2022 Research Grants
The AJCC Research Foundation received nine proposals for 2022 competitive grant awards. Three (3) projects were approved for funding totaling $27,008, as follows:
Brito, Andre F. and Kleves V. Almedia, (University of New Hampshire). Predicting dry matter intake in lactating Jersey cows using model evaluation and cross-validation, $11,467;
Johnson S. and J. Bohlen, (University of Georgia). Assessing biological and genetic predictors for estrous profiles in Jersey cattle, $7,010;
Kononoff, Paul J. and Addison L. Carroll, (University of Nebraska). Exploring commercial strategies to determine feed preference of lactating Jersey cows in automatic milking systems (AMS), $8,531.
Beginning I.D. Pilot Program
Directors of the AJCA discussed the Beginning I.D. pilot program. The program is set up to allow larger herds to identify cattle in the herd for basic pedigree information, including a one-time Parent Average. Herds can also receive reduced rates on JerseyTags if they opt into the program. More value-added options were discussed that could compliment the program in the future. Minimum herd size had been 2,000 cows. The board voted to lower participation size to 1,000 cows.
Registration Status
The board reviewed a request to upgrade registry status on two males in A.I. programs. Both were UR (Unregistered) and had BBRs (Breed Base Representation) levels of less than 100. Both were registered after the most recent changes to the registry rules were updated. The board declined the request to upgrade registration status.
Breed Improvement
Changes to the April 2022 tri-annual genetic evaluation were reported. The biggest impact for Jerseys will be seen in Net Merit Dollars (NM$).
Changes to Appraisal Program
Beginning in 2022, type trait appraisers will handle the impact of extreme Rear Teat Placement Rear View (RTRV) and Rear Teat Placement Side View (RTSV) with up to a 2-point deduction in final score.
A recommendation has been sent to the JPI Advisory committee regarding the weighting of RTRV of 0.8 and RTSV of 0.6.
Trent Kilgus, Fairbury, Ill., was appointed to the Type Advisory Committee in a December 2021 Zoom meeting. He will replace Bradley Taylor, Booneville, Miss., whose term expired in 2021.
2024 Invitation for Annual Meetings
An invitation from the New England Jersey Breeders was accepted for hosting the 2024 AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings in the Springfield, Mass., area.
The All American Show & Sale
Recommendations of The All American Show & Sale planning committees were reviewed and approved. Unaudited financial statements for 2021 showed a net gain of $20,082 after unrealized gain on investments. The 2022 budget was approved, based on revenues of $140,250 and expenses of $140,050.
The most noticeable change will be the All American Jersey events schedule. Upon approval from the North American International Livestock Exposition Executive Committee, the schedule will be:
• The All American Junior Show on Friday, November 4, followed by the Pot O’Gold Sale;
• The All American Sale and Youth Award Ceremony on Saturday, November 5;
• The All American Jersey Show will be a two-day event, Sunday, November 6 (heifers) and Monday, November 7 (cows), followed by Supreme Champion; and
• The National Jersey Jug Futurity will remain Sunday afternoon.
(For a complete report visit the summary.)
Recognitions
The following awards will be made at the 2022 AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings:
• Master Breeder: Jeff and Alta Mae Core, Salvisa, Ky.;
• Distinguished Service Award: Bill and Marion Barlass, Janesville, Wis.;
• AJCA-NAJ Award for Meritorious Service: Jeff Ziegler, Marysville, Ohio;
• Young Jersey Breeder Awards: Abe and Katrina Cobb, Perkins, Okla., and Nathan Rassau, Enon Valley, Pa.;
National All-Jersey Inc.
Directors of National All-Jersey Inc. received in-depth briefings about Federal Order activity, research, and a range of issues before Congress, including work beginning on the next Farm Bill.
Unaudited financial statements for the year 2021 and also January 2022 were reviewed and approved. There were 1,014 Equity participants at the end of January.
Jersey Marketing Service activity for 2022 was reviewed. The spring sale calendar was reviewed through the 65th National Heifer Sale on June 25 in McMinnville, Ore.
Annual Meetings
The 154th Annual Meeting of the American Jersey Cattle Association will be held Saturday, June 25, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Portland, Ore. The 64th Annual Meeting of National All-Jersey Inc. will be held Friday morning, June 24.
The AJCA Board of Directors will meet June 22 at the DoubleTree Hotel. The NAJ Board will meet at the same location on June 21.
The nomination petition deadline is April 21 for the AJCA elections. A President and four Directors from the Fourth, Seventh, Tenth, and Twelfth districts will be elected. Nomination petitions for NAJ Director #4 must be filed not later than April 25.
