Jersey Genetics are Thriving in Vermont

FEATURED HERD PROFILE

Jersey Genetics are Thriving in Vermont

Megan Hill, a third-generation dairy farmer, is the herd and genetics manager for her family’s dairy, Four-Hills Farm, in Bristol, Vt. In addition to managing her family’s more than 2,000 head dairy herd, Megan is also a Jersey Youth Academy Class IV alumni, a director for the Vermont Jersey Breeders Association, and has served on the sale committee for the New England Jersey Breeder’s Sale.

In recent years, the Four-Hills prefix has become recognized across the country on the national show circuit exhibiting Ayrshires, Holsteins, and Jerseys.

Megan began her experience in the show ring as soon as she could. As a pee wee showman, Megan’s parents decided to start her with a Jersey heifer. At this point, Four-Hills did not have any Jersey calves at the farm, so Megan picked out a small heifer named “Reese’s Pieces” from another farm. “ Reese’s Pieces” lived to be 14-years-old, and provided Megan and family with several daughters to show over time. When Megan first started showing in 4-H and open shows, Jerseys were not the main focus of all the breeds at Four-Hills.

“The farm was doing big things in the Holstein and Ayrshire rings, but had just started to buy and exhibit Jerseys,” said Megan. “I fell in love with Jerseys during my time in pee wee. And because my two older cousins were already well established with our best Ayrshire and Holstein families, the Jerseys kind of fell into my lap, so I ran with it!”

Four-Hills has only grown more successful since that time. Milking over 2,000 cows, it is one of the largest dairy operations in New England. With a farm this large, the Hill family has worked hard to ensure the longevity of the family operation. Megan says that the second generation on the farm has been supportive and more than willing to let the third generation join the ranks as valued members of the team.

Management Strategies at Four-Hills

“Generational transfers are hard,” explained Megan. “Many families struggle with that transition. I think the planning we’ve done and are working toward, will help make the transition from second to third generation go smoothly.” As part of the farm transition, Megan and her cousin, Britney, have taken on the role of herd managers since returning from college. Megan also discussed the challenges of managing such a large mixed herd. She says that Holsteins make up 95% of the total herd, which means

A few of the Registered Jerseys at Four-Hills enjoying that much of the equipment and barn the pasture at their Bristol, Vt., home. space is designed for Holsteins. As the herd has grown, Four-Hills now milks the Jerseys and the Ayrshires in their own group rather than alongside the Holsteins. They decided to make this switch to increase efficiency in the parlor while reducing injuries to the milking cows. (continued to page 28)

The Hill family takes a minute to celebrate after a win at the Easter New York Jersey show. Photo credit Cowsmopolitan.

Nutrition is another driving factor for grouping the milking herd by breeds. They wanted to feed the Jerseys a ration appropriately built for them to increase production and keep them in shape. While mixing new rations has proven to be challenging for the farm, Megan is still hopeful for the outcome.

As the genetics manager at Four-Hills, Megan spends much of her time making the breeding decisions for the farm. She mates all of the Jerseys individually according to their genetic needs. She aims to breed for production at least every three generations, while still maintaining the large, stylish frame, that is a trademark of Four-Hills show Jerseys. The Holstein breeding at the dairy looks slightly different. Those dairy cows are categorized and bred based on cow type—genomic, red, or angus mating. From there, they are bred using bulls Megan has pre-selected to use in that category for the current proof run.

While managing such a large herd, Megan has seen first-hand the efficiencies Jerseys have over the Holsteins. In trying to customize Jersey-specific rations, the farm has noted that less feed is consumed by the Jerseys, resulting in less manure. Naturally, a smaller breed requires less space per cow which saves room in the barns and pastures.

Four-Hills ships their milk to AgriMark, and they are paid based on pounds shipped with bonuses for fat, protein, and quality. Given that the Jerseys produce higher amounts of fat and protein, this presents a major advantage for the farm. Most co-ops have applied a milk quota for dairy farmers, capping the amount of milk that farmers can sell. Megan says that this provides incentive to switch to–or add more–Jerseys in order to stay under base while still increasing fat and protein shipped.

Given these efficiencies, the Hill family is thankful Jerseys were added to the operation. Megan says her grandmother always liked Jerseys, so one year for Mother’s Day, Megan’s father and his siblings surprised her with a Jersey calf. As any typical Jersey project does, it multiplied quickly. Megan’s father bred them using mainly type bulls for many years. Much of the Jersey herd on the farm goes all the way back to these original family lines.

“The show families that everyone knows Four-Hills for today stem from a longtime family friend, Joe Allen,” explained Megan. “Between 2005- 2010 we purchased some show heifers from him, one of which was Kellogg-Bay Amedeo Gladys-ET. She essentially made up my entire Jersey junior show career and has daughters, granddaughters, and greatgranddaughters all over the U.S. performing exceptionally well in their classes.

“In 2005, Joe saw a winter calf at a sale and told my uncle about her; she ended up being DF Sultan Burganne. She won her heifer class both years at World Dairy Expo and was also named Junior Champion in 2007. Her daughters, Four-Hills

Kellogg-Bay Amedeo Gladys-ET is the matriarch of the Registered Jersey herd at Four-Hills Jerseys.

DF Sultan Burganne, Junior Champion at World Dairy Expo in 2007, has proven to be a brood cow for the Hill family.

Four-Hills Farm is one of the largest herds in Vermont, milking more than 2,000 Jerseys, Holsteins and Ayrshires in Bristol. The REAP herd has an average appraisal of 84.7% on 112 cows. There are 15 Excellent and 88 Very Good Jerseys in the mixed herd. The highest appraised Jersey in the herd is Four-Hills Velocity Gloriana, Excellent-94%. She was named Grand Champion of the World Dairy Expo Junior Jersey Show in 2019 and the Overall Premier Performance Cow in the All American Junior Show the same year. In July she was named the winning production cow at the and Reserve Grand Champion of the Eastern New York Summer Jersey Show.

1st Blue 3241-ET and Four-Hills Response Bahama-ET, have done extremely well in the show ring. “Bahama” has turned into a tremendous brood cow with two daughters topping the spring yearling class at World Dairy Expo last year.”

Needless to say, from one Mother’s Day surprise, Four-Hills has produced a long line of show-stopping Jerseys who not only perform well in the show ring, but who have also proven to be an advantageous addition to the milking herd.

Dairy Farming in the Northeast

Farming in Vermont comes with many pros and cons. Though New England is not as known for its dairy industry, it is still home to approximately 1,000 dairy farms. The close proximity to Boston and New York City are large advantages for farms in New England like Four-Hills. The population is dense in these urban areas, and people are generally interested in understanding where their milk comes from. Unfortunately, many people are far removed from farms and find research on the internet as truth. This affects not only the general public, but also lawmakers who are creating policies for dairy farmers. Megan says that as the times change, Four-Hills has made strong efforts to engage with their local community and show them what they do and why they are passionate about it. Many New England dairy farmers are doing the same, as this allows them to build trust with and educate their surrounding communities.

Megan is proud to be part of Four-Hills

(continued to page 30)

Story written by Abigail Shaw, freelance writer for Jersey Journal

(continued from page 28)

team as a third generation dairy farmer. Her goal has always been to return to the farm even though she knew farming with family would not be easy, especially with five grandchildren—herself included— going back to the farm at once.

“It’s really hard to change the mindset of ‘that’s the way it’s been done for years,’ doesn’t mean it still needs to be done that way,” said Megan. “Fortunately, I think the generation ahead of us has been open to the ideas and practices we’ve come up with. Sure, there is usually push back, but the older generation usually let us try [new methods] with the mindset that mistakes are the only way to learn.”

Building a Strong Dairy Future at Four-Hills

Since the show ring is not the main focus of the farm, the family does not buy show animals–they breed them. Megan is proud of the success that Four-Hills has had in recent years. At the 2021 World Dairy Expo, the dairy was named Premier Breeder of the Jersey heifer show. Winning Premier Breeder was quite a reassuring and unforgettable moment for Megan because it meant as genetics manager, she has created cattle for the dairy to build their reputation with.

Megan’s breeding expertise has also been proven in her personal herd separate from the family farm. Megan’s first bred and owned cow carrying the “M” in her prefix, Four-Hills M Fancy Victory, recently scored 89 points as a two-yearold. Needless to say, this was yet another proud moment for Megan, and she is looking forward to seeing what else the “M” line will produce.

Four-Hills faces the uncertain future with positivity. Unsure of what the current quota system in the northeast will mean for milk prices in the future, the farm is holding off on expansion for now.

Four-Hills Velocity Gloriana has won at both World Dairy Expo and The All American Junior Jersey Shows.

However, as Megan and her cousins are becoming more involved in the farm, they are hopeful to continue growing the herd in the future. In the last year, Four-Hills has been updating facilities to maximize milk as well as quality of milk from the cows they currently have. Additionally, the family is looking into different avenues of income for Four-Hills. For example, Megan has had great success on the genetics side of the operation and plans to continue to improve and increase revenue for the farm.

Megan’s drive and passion for the Jersey industry are evident to all who meet her, and she is a tremendous encouragement for young people who have considered moving back home to the family farm. She is bringing her knowledge, expertise, and experiences gained in college and throughout her life to help grow Four-Hills into an even more successful operation than it already is. The future for dairy farms is never certain, but FourHills will stand strong as a new generation learns from the wisdom of their parents while integrating new methods and ideas.

For more Jersey news be sure to visit USJerseyJournal.com

Best of Triple T and Heath Averages $6,500

With hopes of bringing home a show winner or genetic superstar, buyers headed to the Pickaway County Fairgrounds and Ag Center in Circleville, Ohio, on May 7, 2022, for the Best of Triple T and Heath. Buyers unable to attend in person could watch online and bid in real time through CowBuyer.com. The sale was managed by the team of Nathan and Jenny Thomas, North Lewisburg, Ohio, and Michael Heath, Westminster, Md. Chris Hill was the auctioneer and Norm Nabholz read pedigrees.

Sale Analysis

Number Avg. Price Total Value

4 Cows, two years and over $7,375.00 $29,500 16 Bred heifers 4,537.50 72,600 13 Open yearlings 5,926.92 77,050 48 Heifer calves 6,611.46 317,350 4 Rights to Flush 13,175.00 52,700 1 Choice of calves 11,500.00 11,500 86 Lots $6,519.77 $560,700 Median price $5,550.00

Sale Management: Nathan and Jenny Thomas and Michael Heath Auctioneer: Chris Hill

Buyers’ expectations were founded on facts. A heifer that sold in the sale last year, SVHeaths Kid Rock Jaden, was Junior Champion of The Jersey Event and the International Jersey Show for her new owners. A pair of other heifers earned purple banners at the All American Jersey Show (Rivendale Joel Keep Her SecretET, Junior Champion, and Four Hills Joel Badger 67489-ET, Reserve Junior Champion). The high seller of the 2020 sale, Milk and Honey Vaden Fern, was tapped Reserve Intermediate Champion of the All American Jersey Show in 2021.

This year, the 86 Jersey consignments sold for an average of $6,519.77 and a gross of $560,700. Holstein consignments sold as well and contributed to an overall average of $6,447 on 143 lots.

A pair of genomic lots brought the two high prices for Jerseys. Select Sires Inc., Plain City, Ohio, purchased the high seller, rights to the next in-vitro fertilization (IVF) session for JX Ahlem Chief Harmony 60643 {5}. With a final bid of $31,000, the genetics company is guaranteed a minimum of eight #1 or #2 embryos. Lot 1G was consigned by Ahlem Farms Partnership, Hilmar, Calif.

From the deep-pedigreed “Harmony” cow family, the February 2021 daughter of JX River Valley Chief {6}-ET, GJPI +156, ranked #3 in the breed for Cheese Merit Dollars (CM$) and #5 for Genomic Jersey Performance Index (GJPI). Today, she ranks #49 for GJPI with an index of +167. She has Genomic Predicting Transmitting Abilities (GPTAs) of +1,090M, +84F (+0.14%) and +41P. She is +817 for CM$ and +1.9 for Type.

Her dam is a Very Good-80% daughter of JX Faria Brothers Kobe {3}-P-ET, GJPI +142, with a first lactation m.e. of 22,189–1,090–829 at 1-11. She has a GJPI of +149. Her grandam is a Very Good-84% daughter of Sunset Canyon Dazzler-ET, GJPI +93, with a six lactation m.e. average of 20,531–1,028–794. Her third dam, Ahlem Headline Harmony 37641, Excellent-92%, has eight lactations and a top record of 4-3 295 3x 23,380 4.4% 1,035 3.6% 845 94DCR. Her fourth dam, Ahlem Action Harmony 33374, Excellent-95%, has nine lactations—seven over 20,000 lbs. milk—and a best record of 23,640 lbs. milk, 1,081 lbs. fat and 914 lbs. protein at 5-10. The next is appraised Excellent-90% and has 22,230 lbs. milk, 1,013 lbs. fat and 811 lbs. protein at 3-11. The next four dams are Very Good.

Vierra Dairy Farms and Semex Alliance, Guelph, Ont., partnered to purchase the second high seller, JX Hilmar Tucker Ophelia {6}-ET, for $20,000. Sired by Rowleys 1996 Daniel Tucker {6}-ET, GJPI +141, the December calf also ranked among the top 100 for GJPI and CM$ on sale day. Today, she ranks on the list of the Top 500 Females for GJPI with an index of +157. She has GPTAs of +1,127M, +62F and +49P, with component tests of +0.03 for both fat and protein. She is +748 for CM$ and +1.1 for Type.

Her dam, sired by Hillview Listowel-P, GJPI +137, has a GJPI of +148. Her Very Good-81% grandam, sired by CDF Viceroy-ET, GJPI +78, has a three-lactation m.e. of 18,537–1,017–731. Her Very Good84% third dam has 22,150 lbs. milk, 979 lbs. fat and 784 lbs. protein at 4-5. Her fourth dam is appraised Very Good-84% and made 25,500 lbs. milk, 1,434 lbs. fat and 932 lbs. protein as a senior two-yearold. The next dam is Very Good-83%.

“Ophelia {6}” was consigned by Charles Ahlem, Hilmar, Calif.

Glamourview, a partnership of Iager and Walton, Walkersville, Md., purchased the third and fourth high sellers. The partners chose MM-T Pockets Andreas Sally-ET, for $19,200. The full-aged senior calf is sired by Sunset Canyon Andreas, GJPI -191, and from the “Season” line of the “Sofie” cow family.

Her dam, Elliotts Tequila Suspense-ET, Excellent-94%, has 22,110 lbs. milk, 933 lbs. fat and 749 lbs. protein at 3-8. Several maternal sisters to “Suspense” have earned hardware on the tanbark trail. Elliotts Comerica Sable, Excellent-95%, won the 2015 National Jersey Jug Futurity. Elliotts Tequila Seniorita, Excellent-91%, was named All-Canadian Senior Two-Year-Old in 2014 and Arethusa Impression SunshineET, Excellent-94%, earned reserve honors in the class two years later. Their dam, Milo Vindication Season, Excellent-94%, has received AllBreed Access All-American or Reserve All-American laurels three times and was All-Canadian Mature Cow in 2012. She has a top record of 4-6 305 20,610 6.2% 1,269 3.6% 735 96DCR.

“Sally’s” third dam is Bri-Lin Rens Sofie, Excellent-90%. She was named Cow of the Year by Jersey Canada in 2012 and made 21,506 lbs. milk, 1,118 lbs. fat and 816 lbs. protein as a four-year-old. The next four dams are Very Good in Canada.

“Sally” was consigned by Mike Maloney, North Bangor, N.Y.

Glamourview purchased M-Signature JJ Hardy Eloise for $17,300. The fancy spring yearling is sired by SV Excite JJ Hardy-ET, GJPI -193, and out of an Excellent-91% daughter of Hawarden Impuls Premier, GJPI +16. “Eloise” topped her class for consignors, Bailee, Calla, Mason, and Matthew Mazzaro and Duane Cole, Williamsfield, Ohio, at the competitive New York Spring Carousel Show in April.

The crew that helped with the success of the Best of Triple T and Heath, including sale managers Jenny and Nathan Thomas, third and fourth right, and Michael Heath, sixth left; auctioneer Chris Hill, in the box, center; and Norm Nabholz, pedigrees, in the box, second left.

whollycowbella@hotmail.com

dreamroadjersey@yahoo.com

bgc33@cornell.edu denkeljerseys@aol.com

heavenscentjerseys@gmail.com

kevetta.farms@gmail.com

(continued from page 34)

Her grandam is a Very Good-86% daughter of Griffens Governor-ET, GJPI -109. The next two dams are appraised Very Good-87% and Excellent-92%, respectively. Her third dam is Jaspar Renaissance Evesta-ET, Excellent-91%. She is a full sister to Jaspar Renaissance’s Evening, EX-91 3E (CAN), with 22,979 lbs. milk, 1,375 lbs. fat and 875 lbs. protein at 6-11. She was named All-Canadian as a senior yearling, senior two-year-old and senior three-year-old.

The sixth dam of “Eloise” is VG-85 in Canada and has more than 137,000 lbs. milk across 11 lactations. The next two dams are Excellent in Canada and have lifetime totals over 135,000 lbs. milk.

Back to the Future Partners of Portland, Ore., took home the fifth high seller, SV Joel Rosette-ET, a potential 12th generation Excellent, for $17,200. The summer yearling is sired by Guimo Joel-ET, GJPI -114, and backed by a deep-pedigreed, show winning cow family. Her dam, SV Velocity Rosie, Excellent-93%, is the reigning Supreme Champion of the Ohio Dairy Expo. Last year, she stood second in the four-year-old class at the International Jersey Show. In 2020, she was Reserve National Grand Champion. She has 17,172 lbs. milk, 1,161 lbs. fat and 675 lbs. protein at 3-4.

“Rosette’s” grandam, Heaths Prime Rosario-ET, Excellent-91%, was fifth senior two-year-old at the 2015 All American Jersey Show. Her third dam, South Haven Gov Rose, Excellent-91%, topped the junior three-year-old class at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Jersey Show in 2012. Her sixth dam, Hollylane Mirage Roseena, EX-90 2E (CAN), made 29,127 lbs. milk, 1,309 lbs. fat and 1,056 lbs. protein at 5-5. The next two dams also have records in excess of 23,000 lbs. milk and lifetime totals over 100,000 lbs. milk. Her ninth dam, Franken Monarch Rosel 24R, EX-3E (CAN), is a three-time Grand Champion of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and was National Grand Champion in 1987.

“Rosette” was consigned by Spring Valley Farm Jerseys, Westminster, Md.

Sales $7,000 and Over

(Consignors in Parentheses)

Select Sires Inc., Plain City, Ohio

Rights to IVF Session with JX Ahlem Chief Harmony 60643 {5} ............................................................................. $30,000 (Ahlem Farms Partnership, Hilmar, Calif.)

Vierra Dairy Farms and Semex Alliance, Guelph, Ont.

JX Hilmar Tucker Ophelia {6}-ET, heifer calf 4 mos. ... 20,000 (Charles Ahlem, Hilmar, Calif.)

Glamourview - Iager and Walton, Walkersville, Md.

MM-T Pockets Andreas Sally-ET, heifer calf 8 mos.... 19,200 (Mike Maloney, North Bangor, N.Y.) M-Signature JJ Hardy Eloise, open yearling 14 mos.. 17,300 (Bailee, Calla, Mason and Matthew Mazzaro and Duane

Cole, Williamsfield, Ohio)

Back to the Future Partners, Portland, Ore.

SV Joel Rosette-ET, heifer calf 10 mos....................... 17,200 (Spring Valley Farm Jerseys, Westminster, Md.)

Juniper Farm Inc., Gray, Maine

Electras Krock Enjoy, cow 2 yrs. ................................. 13,400 (Shelby M. Rader, Conneaut Lake, Pa.)

Interstate Heifer Care, Anna Cappellina and Katharine Knowlton, Blacksburg, Va.

Kash-In VIP Keisha-ET, heifer calf 2 mos. .................. 13,000 (Madison S. Fisher, Frontburg, Md.)

Bos Dairy LLC, Lovington, N.M.

Miss Almonds Accent-ET, heifer calf 5 mos................ 12,200 (Triple-T, M. and J. Ducket, K. Doeberiner and L. Bowen,

North Lewisburg, Ohio)

Pagel Harrison, Sumner, Iowa

Four-Hills Bontino Breathtaking-ET, heifer calf 7 mos. ............................................................................... 11,700 (Megan and Sarah Hill, Bristol, Vt.)

Schluter Holsteins, Red Bud, Ill.

Choice of (20) September 2022 Heifer Calves out of Pleasant Nook Guns Foxy Lady, Schulte Bros Tequila Gia-ET or SVHeaths HGun Corolla-ET........................................ 11,500 (Zach, Blake and Mitch Schulte, Watkins, Iowa)

Schaapman Holsteins, Abbeville, Ga.

Vierras Andreas Serena-ET, bred heifer 20 mos.......... 9,700 (Kane Vande Pol, Escalon, Calif.)

Jason and Jared Pareo, Veguita, N.M.

Schulte Bros Colton Cameo-ET, heifer calf 5 mos........ 9,200 (Zach, Blake and Mitch Schulte)

Plainfield Farms LLC, Belmont, Ohio

Goldfawn Victorious Vera, heifer calf 4 mos.................. 9,100 (Tony Kohls and Nathan Goldenberg, Arlington, Minn.)

Ella Lorne and Charlyn Jerseys, Milton, Ont.

Kevetta Joel Visa-ET, heifer calf 4 mos......................... 9,000 (Kevin and Annetta Herrington, Dansville, N.Y.)

Olivia Schluter, Red Bud, Ill.

Kevetta Joyride Valet-ET, heifer calf 4 mos................... 9,000 (Kevin and Annetta Herrington)

Duane T. Cole, Burghill, Ohio

Roc-N-Roll Shania-ET, heifer calf 5 mos....................... 9,000 (Kristy Ellsworth and m Decker, Mount Morris, N.Y.)

David and Valerie Zubikowski, Port Jervis, N.Y.

Miss Venetian Little Gold Nugget, heifer calf 11 mos.... 8,800 (Duane Cole, Elijah Dobay and Tabatha Sherbourne,

Burghill, Ohio)

Sexing Technologies, S. Charleston, Ohio

Rights to IVF Session with JX Vierra Whiskers {5}-ET ................................................................................. 8,700 (Vierra Dairy Farms, Hilmar, Calif.) JX Legacy Tenpenny 31713 {5}-ET, heifer calf 9 mos. . 8,200 (Legacy Ranch, Tipton, Calif.)

Bo Pheasant, Martinsburg, Pa.

Rexlea Joel Emblem, cow 3 yrs.................................... 8,000 (Rexlea Jerseys Inc., Schomberg, Ont.)

Matt Boop and Jackson Cloninger, Millmont, Pa.

Ehrhardt-MPH Ferdinand Confusion, heifer calf 5 mos.7,900 (Kevin Ehrhardt and Michael Heath, Baldwin, Md.)

Luke Alsleben, Glenco, Minn.

Vierra Carpe Diem-ET, heifer calf 8 mos. ..................... 7,800 (Vierra Dairy Farms)

Mark Brindeiro, Artesia, N.M.

MM VIP Fame-ET, bred heifer calf 16 mos. .................. 7,000 (Misty Meadow Dairy, Tillamook, Ore.)

How a Junior Member Reserves a Prefix

Any junior that has a customer number can reserve a prefix. There is a $10 fee for the service. The only time there is no charge for a prefix is when a lifetime membership to the association is purchased.

Juniors must be members of the American Jersey Cattle Association to be eligible for Production Awards, Youth Acheivement Contest, Pot O’Gold Contest, Scholarships and showing at The All American Junior Jersey Show. Junior memberships are FREE to youth between the ages of seven and 20. To join, please send the junior’s birthdate to Herd Services.

For more information on becoming a junior member or purchasing a lifetime membership, contact the Herd Services Department at 614.861.3636.

paxtonll.llp@gmail.com

catheo2@nep.net wickfsvetclin@aol.com

jnbschuc@yahoo.com

mshedden12@gmail.com

maxwell@tourmyfarm.com

rockbottomdairy@yahoo.com

highlandfarmsdairy@gmail.com

Proposals Sought for Jersey Cattle and Product Research

The AJCC Research Foundation has issued a request for research proposals to be funded in 2023 addressing significant issues for the Jersey breed and Jersey milk producers.

Current priorities for research funding are: • Nutrition of high-producing Jerseys, particularly practical feeding methods to maximize production of valuable milk components; • Factors affecting management of

Jersey calves; • Factors affecting semen production of Jersey bulls; • Factors affecting yield and/or quality of products manufactured from Jersey milk; • Factors affecting economic impact of Jerseys: efficiencies, net income, longevity, and lifetime profit; • Optimizing the genetic basis for improving animal health and/or enhancing product quality; • Enhancing environmental impact associated with Jerseys; • New technologies for safe and sustainable food production from

Jersey cattle; and • Feasibility of adding value and increasing consumer acceptance of Jersey-derived products through enhanced product quality and branding.

Application deadline is December 1, 2022. The Research Advisory Committee of the American Jersey Cattle Association will evaluate the proposals, then forward its recommendations to the AJCA Board of Directors, which will award funds at its meeting in March 2023.

Submissions are evaluated for (a) merit (e.g., potential to advance practical knowledge, creative approach to the problem); (b) competence (i.e., high probability of successful completion within the proposed time frame); and (c) relevance (e.g., problem derived from one of the areas of research priority).

Since 1988, the Foundation has awarded more than $900,000 in seed money for selected projects.

Detailed information about the Competitive Grants Program can be found on the USJersey web site (permalink http:// bit.do/JerseyRFP) or requested from the American Jersey Cattle Association office at 614/861-3636.