Jersey enthusiasts from all over the country are headed to Syracuse, N.Y. for the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. annual meeting, July 1-4, 2009. Building on the theme “Jersey Worlds Combine in 2009,” the program includes seminars, tours, recognition banquets, and the 52nd National Heifer Sale punctuating annual meetings for each organization on three consecutive days.
In addition, the first North American Jersey Cheese Awards will be presented. The contest is modeled after the highly successful World Jersey Cheese Awards, the first breed-specific cheese competition held last May in Jersey during the International Conference of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau.
President James Ahlem, Hilmar, Calif., will call the 51st annual meeting of National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) to order at 7:30 a.m. EDT on Thursday, July 2. The company reported all-time member participation in its Equity program for 2008. The NAJ subsidiary Jersey Marketing Service, reported its fourth best year in history at $9.4 million in public auction and private treaty sales.
At the conclusion of this meeting, Dr. Chad Mueller and Garrett Tschida of Oregon State University will present findings from their NAJ-funded research on the growth and development of Jersey steers.
The annual meeting of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau is scheduled for Friday, July 3, with Dr. Gonzalo Maldonado of Colombia presiding. Evening activities will be held at Sycamore Hill Gardens, Marcellus, N.Y. There, Kathy Guidi, maitre fromager and the founder and president of Artisan Cheese Marketing of Toronto, will talk about opportunities for Jersey milk cheeses in the fast-growing artisan retail segment.
Then, at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, president David Chamberlain of Wyoming, N.Y., will conduct the 141st annual meeting of the American Jersey Cattle Association. Executive Secretary & CEO Neal Smith will report on the multiple all-time records set by the company in 2008.
That will be followed by the 52nd National Heifer Sale at the Empire Expo Center in Syracuse. Consignments include 50 Jersey heifers ranked in the top 10% of the breed today for genetic merit. Jersey Marketing Service will manage the sale.
William and Carolyn Ahlem, Sabino Ahlem Herrera, D.V.M., and Ed Fisher will receive the Master Breeder Award. The Distinguished Service Award will be presented to Dr. Robert C. and Helene Z. Dreisbach, Mercer, Penna. And, the AJCA-NAJ Award for Meritorious Service will be presented to Ronald E. Pearson, Ph.D., Blacksburg, Va.
The Young Jersey Breeder Award is presented by the American Jersey Cattle Association to individuals or couples who are at least 28 years old and under the age of 40 on January 1 of the year nominated, who merit recognition for their expertise in dairy farming, breeding Jersey cattle, participation in programs of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc., and leadership in Jersey and other dairy and agriculture organizations.
The 2009 award recipients will be recognized at a banquet the evening of July 1. They are Roger and Cathleen Alexander, Liberty, Penna.; Kimberly Clauss, Hilmar, Calif; Eric D. Daggett, Derby, Vt.; Jake and Kate Hardy, Belleville, Penna.; Shari Strickhouser, Elkhorn, Wis.; and Ron and Nicolle Wussow, Cecil, Wis.