Summary of June AJCA, NAJ Board Meetings

from Jersey Journal, August 2021

Address of AJCA President

The summer meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) Boards of Directors were held June 22 and 23, 2021, at the Isle Capri Hotel, Bettendorf, Iowa. Actions taken are summarized.

AJCA-NAJ-AJSC Finances

The 2020 year-end audited financial statements for the companies, the auditorreviewed 2020 Research Fund, and the year-end financial summary for Scholarship and Special Funds were presented and approved.

Unaudited financial reports through May 31, 2021, were reviewed, showing: • AJCA revenues of $1,562,050 and expenditures of $1,411,288, for net income before the All American Show & Sale of $150,762; • NAJ revenues of $395,216 and expenditures of $279,518, for net income of $115,698; and • All-Jersey Sales Corporation (Jersey Marketing Service) revenues of $67,812 and expenditures of $66,571 for net income of $1,241.

Market value of investments at May 31, 2021, was $7,384, 517.

Genomic Testing Services

The board approved implementing genomic testing correction fees as follows:

AJCA Nom. Other Nom.

REAP herds $1.50 $3.00 Non-REAP $2.50 $5.00

These fees will be effective September 1, 2021.

AJCC Research Foundation

Results from projects funded in 2020 and summaries of 2021 projects in progress funded by the AJCC Research Foundation were reviewed.

The Foundation’s 2022 Request for Proposals has been issued with project submissions due December 1.

The board approved proceeding with funding to Dr. Francisco Penagaricano and Dr. Kent Weigel of the University of Wisconsin-Madison to update the risk of culling research.

Jersey Journal

The board discussed the future of the printed magazine and how to keep it sustainable and relevant. Staff was directed to adapt content to keep the print magazine more timely and informative while incorporating more of the traditional reports to the website.

JNS Haplotype Testing

Two organizations have developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect the causative mutation for Jersey Neuropathy with Splayed Forelimbs (JNS) in the genome of individuals. The board voted to accept the PCR tests results developed by ABS Global and ST Genetic Visions as official and to take precedence when the CDCB haplotype results are in conflict.

National All-Jersey Inc.

Milk production, feed prices and Federal Order class prices continued to be the prominent discussion in the NAJ board meeting. Staff updated the board on the relationship of Class I and Class III pricing to negative PPDs. An upcoming hearing for Make Allowances in Class III and Class IV products was also discussed.

The board approved USJersey pursuing an update to the Capper/Cady Sustainability study completed in 2009.

Charlie Garrison, The Garrison Group LLC, Washington, D.C., updated the NAJ board on federal policy issues including: Farm Workforce Modernization Act; additional COVID relief for Ag; nutrition assistance programs; expanded choice of milk in schools; Dairy Pride Act; climate change and the next Farm bill; international trade; and tax code changes to pay for the infrastructure bill.

Jersey Marketing Service (JMS) reported on new opportunities for the company developing from the unprecedented year of 2020.

The use of JerseyBid.com and JerseyAuctionLive.com have increased in the spring with heavy use as more buyers shift to internet bidding. Two large heifer dispersals were held on JerseyAuctionLive and more than 1,300 animals were sold virtually by the truckload. In July 2021, new monthly sales benefitting the All American

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Policy of The Jersey Journal

Effective March, 2018 by the American Jersey Cattle Association Board of Directors

The purpose of the Jersey Journal is to promote Jerseys and to serve as the media to carry Jersey news and ads to the owners of Jerseys and other interested parties. To fulfill this purpose, the following policies have been established by the Board of Directors:

Editorial Policy. The editorial policy of the Jersey Journal is to reflect the positions and programs of the Jersey breed as established by the Board of Directors.

Advertising Policy. The policy of the AJCA concerning breed advertisements in the Jersey Journal is that all advertising may include references to Registered Jerseys and those eligible for Identification services of the AJCA as well as animals of other dairy breeds owned by the advertiser. Advertising involving politics and ads criticizing Jerseys and/or Jersey programs will be declined.

As an integral part of the AJCA recorded name, Generation Count must be published and included with shortened names. Ads must include bulls’ Breed Base Representation values when available. Advertising offering semen for sale must completely identify the seller.

The Jersey Journal will use CDCB genetic evaluations for foreign animals if information is available. If CDCB information is not available, the origin of the information used will be listed.

Letter to the Editor. This column is made available to include discussion of opinions, policies and problems, and other subjects provided the comments are constructive. Derogatory letters mentioning individual names or animals will not be published, neither will political or anonymous letters.

When the Editor receives ads or letters which are believed to be questionable, these will be referred to the Development Committee of the Board. A majority vote of the committee will be final. When the committee is divided or so requests, the material in question will be submitted to the Board of Directors for a decision.

Officers and directors of the USJersey organizations were elected during the Annual Meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) held on June 25 and 26, 2021, in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Jonathan Merriam, Hickman, Calif., was re-elected to a fourth one-year term as President of the American Jersey Cattle Association on June 25. The third generation of his family to breed and own Registered Jerseys, Merriam is the genetics specialist at Ahlem Farms Partnership, Hilmar, Calif., having previously worked in A.I. sire procurement, extension and education. He has served on the boards of the California Jersey Cattle Association and Jerseyland Sires and was co-chair of the 2016 National Heifer Sale. He was General Chair of The All American Jersey Shows & Sales in 2019, and served as chair of The All American Sale Committee in 2017.

Jason Johnson, Northwood, N.H., was elected to his first three-year term as AJCA Director from the First District, succeeding Tom Sawyer, Walpole, N.H.. A fourth generation dairy farmer, he earned a dairy management degree from the University of New Hampshire. Jason is currently a farmer relationship manager with Stonyfield Organic. He is responsible for direct supply milk procurement, animal welfare, milk quality and sustainability programs for the northeast milk supply. He and his wife, Heather, and children, Regan, Ryleigh, and Asher, raise and breed their Johnsonacres Jerseys at their home in Northwood. He is currently serving as vice president of the New England Jersey Breeders Association.

Joe Vanderfeltz, Lawton, Pa., was elected to his first term as Director from the Third District, succeeding Mark Gardner of Dayton, Pa. 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. In 2019, the herd ranked among the top 10 of the nation for milk, fat, and protein in herd sized of 80-149 lactations. The family farms about 700 acres of corn and alfalfa as well, growing most of the forages for the herd. The couple was awarded the AJCA Young Breeder Award in 2003.

Bradley Taylor, Booneville, Miss., was re-elected as AJCA Director from the Fifth District. He owns and operates Taylor Jersey Farm Inc. with his wife, Carla; sons, Lee, Carl and Holden; and parents, Royal and Marthell. The 120cow Registered Jersey herd is enrolled on REAP, the comprehensive service package of registration, Equity milk marketing support, type appraisal and performance programs offered by the AJCA and NAJ. Taylor is a member of the All American Sale Committee and was appointed to the AJCA Type Advisory Committee in 2017. He has served on the Southeast Area Council of DFA for eight years and served as secretary. He is the Vice President of Mississippi Jersey Cattle Club. Bradley also serves on the Dairy Research Advisory Council for Mississippi State University.

Ralph Frerichs, LaGrange, Texas, was elected to a three-year term as AJCA Director from the Ninth District, succeeding John Boer, Dalhart, Texas. Ralph previously served on the AJCA Board of Directors from 2009-2015. During that time he served as vice president from 2013-2015 and chaired the Development Committee earning him an ex-officio seat on the National AllJersey Inc. board. He and his wife, Faith, brother, Robert and son, Neal, operate Frerichs Dairy Inc. The herd is home to 190 Registered Jersey cows, the Jersey Barnyard tourist attraction and Texas Jersey Cheese Company, producing allnatural Jersey cheese by hand.

Chairs of standing committees for 2021-22 are Bradley Taylor, Booneville, Miss., Finance; Joel Albright, Willard, Ohio, Breed Improvement; Garry Hansen, Mulino, Ore., Development; Karen Bohnert, East Moline, Ill., Information Technology and Identification. Albright will also serve as vice president for the coming year.

National All-Jersey Inc.

Following his re-election to the board to represent District #3 of National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) on June 26, John Kokoski, Hadley, Mass., was elected to continue as president by the Board of Directors. Kokoski has been a member of the NAJ Board since 2007. He heads up the family-operated Mapleline Farm LLC. The enterprise includes a 135-cow Registered Jersey herd enrolled on REAP and a dairy plant that processes and distributes a full line of Jersey milk products to grocery retailers, restaurants and university food service. Kokoski is a past director of the Massachusetts Cooperative Milk Producers Federation and has served more than 25 years on the New England Dairy Promotion Board.

Rogelio “Roger” Herrera, Hilmar, Calif., was re-elected to a second term as Director from District #2. Herrera manages Ahlem Farms Vista and Ahlem Farms Jerseys in Hilmar, Calif. He and