Congratulations to David and Beth Ertl, Edison, Ohio, receiving the Young Jersey Breeder Award!
The Young Jersey Breeder Award is presented 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.
David and Beth met at the Ohio State Fair in 2000 and bonded through their love for the Jersey breed. A month after taking their marriage vows in 2004, David accepted a position as manager for a 200-head commercial dairy operation in northern Ohio and after a year, incorporated their Jersey herd into the farm. David’s knowledge of the breed eventually influenced the farm owner to change his breeding and soon they were using only high JPI Registered Jersey™ sires.
In 2009, David and Beth entered into a partnership with the farm’s owner and have increased their Jersey cattle holdings to 295 head, of which 170 are in milk. The 2010 AJCA lactation average on 134 lactations was 20,512 lbs. milk, 1,027 lbs. fat and 745 lbs. protein with a cheese yield of 2,560 lbs.
David and Beth’s herd ranks among the top 25% herds in the U.S. for herd average Jersey Performance Index (JPI). During the past year, six different bulls, representing four different cow families, were sent to A.I.