Summary of March 2023 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 8-10, 2023, via Zoom. Actions taken are summarized.

AJCA-NAJ-AJSC Finances
Unaudited financial reports through December 31, 2022, were reviewed, showing:

• AJCA revenues of $3,443,122 and expenditures of $3,421,188 for net income from operations of $21,934, before unrealized loss on investments of $359,843;
• NAJ revenues of $628,855 and expenditures of $592,633, for net income from operations of $36,222 before unrealized loss on investments of $142,960; and
• All-Jersey Sales Corporation (Jersey Marketing Service) revenues of $320,088 and expenditures of $219,849 for a net income from operations of $100,239.

The 2022 investment summary and unaudited Research, Scholarship and Special Funds summary were approved. Market value of all investments at December 31 was $6,411,742.

Financial statements through January 31, 2023, were approved, reporting net income for all companies of $256,985.

 

Genome-Edited Animals
With the rise of genomically edited animals in the industry, the board discussed how registration of these animals will be handled with AJCA. The summary of registration criteria is listed at the bottom of this article.

 

2023 Research Foundation
The AJCC Research Foundation received seven proposals for 2023 competitive grant awards. The committee recommended no funding for 2023 projects. A committee will be organized to define the focus of future research projects. Body weights for cows and calves were discussed as two high priority areas.

 

Jersey Journal
A print-on-demand option will be added to Jersey Journal beginning with the April issue. Viewers will have the option to contact the AJCA office and place an order (at additional cost) to have a printed copy sent to their address. The service is provided through a third-party and shipping will be included with the printing costs.

Beginning June 1, 2023, subscription rates will increase to $45. This increase will include two issues a year printed and mailed to all subscribers—January and September. The remainder will be available online only, or by utilizing the print-on-demand option.

 

Lists Added to USJersey Website
Three new lists will be added to the USJersey website: weekly registration report by sire; monthly report by highest completed lactations for milk, fat, and protein; and bi-monthly appraisal report by highest scores by lactation.

 

National Youth Achievement Contest
The scorecard for the achievement contest was reviewed and updated to maximize contestants work with Jerseys and related dairy activities. In addition, the top five candidates will have a Zoom interview that will be available to the judges before the final placing. All changes will be in effect for the 2023 contest year.

 

Future Annual Meetings
With no location site for the 2025 AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings, a committee is being formed by President Chittenden to work with host states for the planning and fundraising of future annual meetings.

 

BullsEye Modifications
Sire identification (ID), maternal grandsire ID, and great-grandsire ID was added to BullsEye. The additions of these fields will help narrow sorting and selection of sires.

 

The All American Show & Sale
Recommendations of The All American Show & Sale planning committees were reviewed and approved. Unaudited financial statements for 2022 showed a net loss of $41,476 after unrealized loss on investments. The 2023 budget was approved, based on revenues of $135,000 and expenses of $134,750.

In 2024, sponsorships for the event will increase as follows: show class sponsorship, $300; banner-trophy sponsorships, $350; and other trophy sponsorships, $200.

 

Recognitions
The following awards will be made at the 2023 AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings:

• Master Breeder: Phillips (Flip) and Susan Ferry, Johnstown, N.Y.;
• Distinguished Service Award: James S. Huffard III, Crockett, Va., and Walter Owens, Frederic, Wis.;
• AJCA-NAJ Award for Meritorious Service: Cari Wolfe and Larry Wolfe, Reynoldsburg, Ohio;
• Young Jersey Breeder Awards: Jed and Laura Barnes, Mt. Upton, N.Y.; Dustin and Carrie Gingerich, Shippensburg, Pa.; David King, Fremont, Ohio; and Michelle Moore, Frederic, Wis.;

 

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 2022 and also January 2023 were reviewed and approved. There were 982 Equity participants at the end of January.

Jersey Marketing Service activity for 2022 was reviewed. The spring sale calendar was reviewed through the 66th National Heifer Sale on June 23 in LaCrosse, Wis.

 

Annual Meetings
The 155th Annual Meeting of the American Jersey Cattle Association will be held Saturday, June 24, at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, Onalaska, Wis. The 65th Annual Meeting of National All-Jersey Inc. will be held Friday morning, June 23.

A President and four Directors from the Second, Sixth, Eighth, and Eleventh districts will be elected. An NAJ Director from District #1 will be elected at the annual meeting.

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Genome-Edited Animals—Jersey animal which has been genome edited (Intentional Gene Alteration (IGA)) by deletion or suppression of a portion of the genome or by addition of a DNA construct sourced from another animal.

• Obligations of Applicant—Entities submitting an application for registration are obligated to report to the AJCA when an animal being submitted for registration is the result of IGA. Entity must provide documentation to validate what DNA construct was inserted, where in the genome it was inserted, and confirming that it is present and functional in the animal that is being submitted for registration.
• Approval of the IGA and subsequent registration eligibility will be at the sole discretion of the Association Board of Directors, who will consider factors including the impact of introducing the IGA into the Jersey population. Eligibility for registration will be restricted to those animals possessing an IGA that has been appropriately reviewed and approved by the applicable regulatory agency — currently the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Pre-approved edits – Edits to the genome pre-approved by the Association Board of Directors will be listed and made available to the membership.

• Naming
  1. The suffix, “-GE” will appear in the name of a genome-edited animal.
  2. The suffix, “-GED” will appear in the name of a descendant of a genome-edited animal.

•  Parentage – All genome-edited animals must have parentage confirmed to the extent possible.