General Managers Report

Overview

After several years of COVID impacts on our services and events, it was pleasing to put these matters behind us and aim to return to what was our normal level of activity across the country. It was pleasing to be out amongst the membership at a number of events.

There is no doubt that Covid-19 has changed people’s habits and expectations following several years of COVID impacts and we will need to consider this further in the events and activities that we aim to run or be involved with moving forward.

We have seen a year of strong service demand, enhanced global promotional opportunities and most exciting strong member growth which bodes well for the Association and Breed.

Staff.

Delivering the services, we do would be impossible without out the Associations staff both in the office and in the field. Our staff are dedicated and work tirelessly to deliver the services you require and support member events and activities throughout the year. My thanks to Pete, Rosie, Doris and Jenny in the office. I also acknowledge the retirements of Jenny Hunter after 18 years and Doris Gauci with 4 years with the Association. We wish both Jenny and Doris the very best in their respective retirements.

With record bookings our class team has performed under significant pressure to ensure all classification needs both for member and industry are delivered. Our class team is led by our Senior Classifiers Les Bennett, Reece Attenborough and Jamie Drury who provide a highly professional service and I acknowledge the pressure they work under across the country while managing their personal business needs at home.

In 2022 Jersey Australia took the significant step and investment in engaging a Field Officer and this role has played a significant role in driving our membership and increased service delivery The role has created many opportunities across the country and delivered much value to the Association.

Services

It has been an exceptionally busy year with services across Australia. Registrations were up 70% to 12,471 units. We had 5 full herd establishment and a couple of major catch-up herds throughout the year driving these numbers.

Total Cow Registrations

Across both the Autumn and Spring tours classification bookings exceeded 9000 cows for the first time in many years leading to 5811 cows receiving their initial or upgraded class score.

Total Class

Export numbers were down once again with the China market retracting after several strong years. The Association has been working hard to expand the international markets for heifers to both manage market risk of being too reliant on China as well as seeking greater returns for breeders for heifers.

Export Heifers

Australian Jerseys in North America as well as attending the Lahore International Dairy Expo in Pakistan and follow on farmer and industry presentations. It was exciting to be involved in both these programs on behalf of the

Industry Engagement

The Association has a strong engagement within the industry, we are representing both the Breed and other Breed Associations on the DataGene Genetics and Data & Services Standing Committee, were strongly represented at the Herd 23 Conference and Ginfo Forum, completed our involvement in the Dairy Australia South Coast Calf Ways Project

The Association also hosted the World Jersey Cattle Bureau Online Conference which attracted attendees from many countries on key topics of Global Data Sharing, Gene Editing, Social Licence and the Jersey Most Profitable and Sustainable Cow Project.

Global Promotions

World Dairy Expo was a key initiative of Jersey Australia to drive the market opportunities for

Association and members

Throughout the year we also engaged with representatives from South Africa, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and China to support and grow export opportunities. The increased activity bodes well for jersey breeders in Australia to expand export opportunities.

I take this opportunity to thank our Members and Board for your ongoing support and encouragement. It is very much appreciated.

Glen Barrett General Manager