Wisconsin Stories
The host state of the 2023 Annual Meetings- Wisconsin- is known as “America’s Dairyland” for good reason. Being the state with the most dairy farms as well as the highest in cheese production makes them a popular location to milk the high component Jersey. Second only to California in milk production and the number of milk cows, the state is an asset to the dairy industry.
Annual Meetings of the former American Jersey Cattle Club (AJCC) and the current American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) have been held in Wisconsin four times previously; in 1977, 1987, 2001, and 2011.
Wisconsin Jersey breeders meet these national rankings by being well recognized by their peers through American Jersey Cattle Association. The state is home to 34 previous Young Jersey Breeder award recipients. Three Master Breeder awards were taken back to the Badger State as well as eight Distinguished Service and six Meritorious Service awards.
Youth participation on a national level is also substantial in Wisconsin. With six members receiving National Jersey Youth Achievement accolades and eight winning either the National Youth Production or Pot O’ Gold contests.
Leadership from all over the state has been pivotal in the moving forward for the Jersey industry. Having two Jersey breeders elected president of the AJCA and two Jersey enthusiasts elected president of the National All Jersey Inc. (NAJ) along with eight NAJ directors and 11 AJCA directors. The cheese state has also contributed five National Jersey Queens and eight National Court Attendants, as well as five All American judges.
While Wisconsin is rich in dairy product manufacturing it is most notably overflowing with influential Jersey breeders and their herds.
2nd in milk production
1st in the export of specialty cheeses
Our state’s nearly 1,200 licensed cheesemakers produce over 600 types, styles and varieties of cheese – nearly double the number of any other state.
Wisconsin cheesemakers make 25% of the nation’s cheese, producing 3.52 billion pounds in 2022.
2022 1st in production of specialty cheeses
1st in production of cheese
2nd in amount of milk cows
1st for number of dairy farms
Hosted Annual Meetings 4 times before; 1977, 1987, 2001, 2011
34 Young Jersey Breeders
3 Master Breeders
8 Distinguished Service award recipients including Walter Owens 2023 recipient
6 Meritorious Service award recipients
6 National Jersey Youth Achievement contest winners
3 Youth Production contest winners
5 Pot O’ Gold Production contest winners
2 NAJ Presidents and 8 NAJ Directors
2 AJCA Presidents and 11 AJCA Directors
5 Queens and 8 Court attendants
5 All American Judges
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