ADDRESS OF THE AJCA PRESIDENT
Adapting to the Challenges of 2020 Address of Jonathan Merriam, President to the 152nd Annual Meeting of the American Jersey Cattle Association, June 27, 2020, Columbus, Ohio
T
hank you for attending the 152 nd Annual Meeting of the American Jersey Cattle Association whether in person or virtual. During these challenging times, we have been forced to make many adjustments to our daily lives and to scheduled activities. These annual meetings ar e j us t o ne of those adjustments that we have made. Although we were not able to meet in Merriam Oregon this week, President like originally planned, we are able to meet in a different format to conduct business and plan to meet in Oregon in a couple years. Personally, these challenges have impacted me a variety of ways. My job has not really changed much since milk production is an essential job, so my day-to-day is fairly normal, but meetings
Gardner Vice President Third District; Breed Improvement Chair
Boyd Twelfth District
AUGUST 2020
related to dairy, school and church have all become virtual for the time being. I have two daughters working in the health/medical fields so they are on the front lines, so to speak. Their jobs are essential, but how they conduct their jobs has changed with continual testing, patient quarantines and uniform adjustments and additions to help protect them as well as the patients they serve. My son graduated from high school this year, so his last few months of his senior year was spent at home with my wife who works in education. Although this was often a blessing as they grew closer, I usually had to read the environment when I got home from work because some days they had a little too much time together. We have also been the main care providers for my parents who are in their 80s. Although, they are both fairly healthy, they are in the high risk age category, so we have done their shopping and helped take care of things around their house both inside and out. Through all the new challenges, we have also seen many blessings. Some of the best have been related to increased family time. We are all aware of how this pandemic has affected the dairy industry from extremes in milk prices, the dumping
of milk, and adjustments in day to day interactions with employees and deliveries. Some of us know of fellow dairy producers who have personally contracted COVID-19 and even some who have lost their lives to the virus. These challenges have impacted us, but Jersey producers are a special group of people who have faced and overcome adversity time and time again and we will this time as well. A perfect example of this was the National Heifer Sale last night. It was another record sale average. Yes, it was a smaller offering, but Jersey breeders pulled together and supported one another. What a blessing that is. As I visit with members, some of the things they miss the most is interaction with fellow members. With meetings, shows and sales being canceled and/or postponed, opportunities to meet face to face have been removed. Hopefully we will have opportunities before the year is over, but only time will tell. I am grateful to serve an association filled with members who continue to take care of one another and take care of their operations the best they can under the challenging circumstances. I am grateful for the AJCA staff who has continued to work through these challenging (continued to page 28)
Taylor Fifth District Finance Chair
Sawyer First District Development Chair
Boer Ninth District IT and ID Chair
Albright Fourth District
Bohnert Sixth District
Ferry Second District
Hansen Tenth District
Kasbergen Eleventh District
Maxwell Eighth District
Phillips Seventh District
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