2021 AJCA-NAJ ANNUAL MEETINGS
Candidates for AJCA and NAJ Elections AJCA President Nominee Jonathan Merriam Jonathan Merriam, Hickman, Calif., has been nominated for President of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA). He currently is serving his third term as AJCA president. Merriam grew up on the family dairy farm in Hickman and now works as the genetics specialist at Ahlem Farms Partnership in Hilmar, Calif. The 7,000-cow dairy owned by Carolyn Ahlem, Sabino AhlemHerrera and Roger Herrera milks cows on three dairies using several AJCA programs, including REAP and JerseyMate, and JerseyTags for permanent identification. Ahlem Farms Partnership is a charter investor in Project Equity and a contract advertiser with the Jersey Journal. The dairy is also a founder of Hilmar Cheese Company. All three herds have herd averages over 17,600 lbs. milk (actual) and herd average JPIs over +21. Among herds with 750 or more cows, Ahlem Farms Jerseys ranks seventh for protein with an average of 18,753 lbs. milk, 870 lbs. fat and 713 lbs. protein on 1,713 cows. Ahlem Farms Partnership ranks 10th for fat with a herd average of 18,217 lbs. milk, 888 lbs. fat and 686 lbs. protein. The home dairy ranks #14 in the nation for genetic merit with a herd average JPI of +47 on 3,534 cows. Eighty-nine percent are genotyped. Merriam grew up on 400-cow dairy farm in central California, where he and his family milked 250 Registered Jerseys and 150 grade Holsteins. His grandfather, William Merriam, established the dairy herd with Jerseys in 1929 and added Holsteins in the 1960s, when the creamery required their addition due to public concern about high fat milk. As a youth, he was active in 4-H and FFA, where he earned the American FFA Degree. A highlight of his show career was exhibiting Supreme Champion at the California State Fair with a cow bred by James Pappas of Stardust Jerseys. He also exhibited cattle at The All-American Junior Jersey Show and helped with the All American Jersey (continued to page 36)
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AJCA Director Nominee Jason Johnson Jason Johnson, Northwood, N.H., has
AJCA Director Nominee Lori Sollenberger
been nominated to serve as Director from the First District of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA). A fourthgeneration dairy farmer, he grew up in New Hampshire and earned a dairy management degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1996. He has managed dairies with diverse management styles in two countries and four states, including his home dairy and Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, Vt. Jason is currently employed by Stonyfield Organic as farmer relationship manager. In this capacity, he is responsible for direct supply milk procurement, animal
Lori Sollenberger, Everett, Pa., has been nominated to serve as Director from the Third District of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA). Early in her Jersey career, Lori had a goal of representing breeders from her area on the AJCA Board of Directors. But when she sold a good portion of the herd and pursued cheesemaking, she put aside that goal. She assumed she no longer fit the mold of the conventional Jersey breeder sitting on the board. But with the growing interest in niche and artisan foods in recent years and the Jersey being the perfect cow to produce these value-added products, she revisited that goal and made the decision to run for Director.
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AJCA Director Nominee Moira Tierney Poitras Moira Tierney Poitras, Brimfield, Mass.,
AJCA Director Nominee Joe Vanderfeltz Joe Vanderfeltz, Lawton, Pa., has been
has been nominated to serve as Director from the First District of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA). She operates Poitras Jerseys and Sire Services with her husband, Scott, and their daughters, Katelyn and Madelyn. The Poitrases have operated the independent semen sales company for 12 years. The 16-head herd of Registered Jerseys has an appraisal average of 87.5% on 10 milking cows. Heifers are raised on the home farm. Cows are managed with herds owned by Peter Hawkes Jr., in Alstead, N.H., and Smyth’s Trinity Farm, in Enfield, Conn. A favorite family pastime is showing cattle. Highlights from the 2020 show season include three Junior All American nominations in the contest sponsored by Cowsmopolitan. Hi-Poits Colton Teresa, Very Good-88%, garnered the award for (continued to page 30)
nominated to serve as Director from the Third District of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA). Vanderfeltz and his wife, Melinda, and sons, Kyle and Corey, milk 220 Jersey and 180 Holstein cows at VanFel-JM Dairy. VanFel Jerseys is enrolled on REAP and a contract advertiser with the Jersey Journal. The herd has a 2020 actual herd average of 17,703 lbs. milk, 854 lbs. fat and 697 lbs. protein on 160 lactations. Over the years, the dairy has consistently ranked among its peers for production. In 2019, it ranked among the top 10 in the nation for milk, fat, and protein in the category for herds with 80-149 cows. With the most recent appraisal, the herd includes 21 Excellent and 134 Very Good cows and has an average of 82%. The Holsteins average 27,500 lbs. milk, with component tests of 3.9% fat and 3.2% protein. Milk (continued to page 34)
JERSEY JOURNAL
