The cattle have moved in, the trade show is ready ... and all eyes turn to Madison, Wis., for the 2014 edition of World Dairy Expo. So you don't miss a minute of the action, here's the daily schedule:

TUESDAY

• 2:00 p.m. International Jersey Show, Coliseum, heifers
  
• 7:00 p.m. Top of the World Sale, Estrumate Sale Pavilion, on Jersey Auction Live, a few of the heifers to be offered pictured above

WEDNESDAY

• 7:30 a.m. International Jersey Show, Coliseum, cows to Grand Champion
  
• 6:30 p.m. Dinner with the Stars, honorees include Dairyman of the Year, James Huffard, and Industry Person of the Year Dr. Curt Van Tassell

THURSDAY

• 11:00 a.m. Dairyland Protein Sale, Janesville
  
• 12:00 p.m. World Dairy Expo Virtual Farm Tour: Lyon Jerseys, Exhibition Hall
  
• 7:00 p.m. National Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet, honorees include Dutch Hollow Farm LLC, Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeders; Amanda Lutz, Progressive Dairy Producer; and many scholarship winners

ALL DAYS

• USJersey Exhibit, Coliseum, Arena Level 101-102

Follow "From Inside the Sale Ring" for breaking news on both sales over the next few days. For more on how to use Jersey Auction Live, click here.

October Sales from Jersey Marketing Service: Look for catalogs to be posted soon for the California Gold Sale, Oct. 9 from Hilmar, Calif.; Ohio Fall Production Sale, Oct. 16 in Wooster; and the Prairieland Fall Production Sale, Oct. 25 in West Union, Iowa.



JPI SET FOR DECEMBER UPDATE

Calling Jersey Performance Index "a strategy for breed improvement," the AJCA Board of Directors has approved updates to the JPI formula that will take effect with the December CDCB-AJCA genetic evaluations.
Traits and their relative weights in JPI for 2015, with changes from the previous version noted in parentheses, are 43% PTA protein (+1%); 15% PTA fat (no change); 15% Functional Trait Index (no change); 10% Productive Life (-2%); 6% Somatic Cell Score (no change); and three fertility traits: 7% Daughter Pregnancy Rate (-3%), plus 2% Cow Conception Rate and 2% Heifer Conception Rate (both new traits).

Regrouping by functional categories, production gets 58% of the emphasis in the new formula. Udder health at 20% is a combination of direct selection for lower Somatic Cell Score (especially important to capture quality premiums), plus udder traits included in the Functional Trait Index (FTI). There is 11% on herd life, through PTA Productive Life plus the body and feet traits in FTI. Lastly, 11% is placed on fertility.

JPI for 2015 was developed from the most extensive evaluation of production, longevity and health data ever undertaken for a JPI update. Geneticist Kent Weigel of the University of Wisconsin–Madison analyzed records from 328,312 Jersey cows with first calving from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2012. Unlike previous updates, which included only cows with completed productive life, Dr. Weigel's procedures included cows from the current population, the result being a contemporary assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. Jersey cow population.

The objective of Jersey Performance Index is to increase lifetime net income. Income sources considered were from protein, fat and total solids, as well as milk quality premiums, salvage value and calf value. Expenses included feed for lactation, growth and maintenance during the rearing, lactating and dry periods, as well as breeding costs and replacement costs.

While most component traits of the JPI index have trended in desired directions since 2010, fertility traits have not been improving, leading to the decision to increase selection pressure by adding the cow and heifer conception traits. Also, because the demand for and value of protein continues to grow in domestic and international milk markets, the slight shift of 43% protein to 15% fat puts additional selection pressure on protein yield.

Expected genetic response from JPI is annual gains of 5.2 lbs. PTA protein and 6.2 lbs. PTA fat, 6.7 days of Productive Life, plus changes in desirable directions for somatic cell score and cow fertility.

"The Board action to update JPITM is grounded in science and the economics of profitability," observes AJCA President Chris Sorenson. "We are confident that it charts the proper course for selecting productive, fertile, healthy, long-lasting and trouble-free Jersey cows."

Look for an extended article on the updated Jersey Performance Index in the December Jersey Genetic Summary (Green Book).

• Promote your herd and genetics
  
• Gain wider exposure for your prefix
  
• Build your own pedigrees by how those animals perform in their new homes
  Generate repeat business from satisfied buyers
  
  Between now and December 8, take advantage of Time 2 Transfer. Every animal you've sold since January 1, 2011 can be transferred at the under 60-day fee. That's a savings of $3.00 per animal for non-REAP herds, and $5.00 for those enrolled on REAP.
  
  The price drops another $2 per animal when you use infoJersey, or submit in groups using Excel spreadsheets, reports generated from herd management software, or field-delimited text files.
  
  Contact the staff in Herd Services and your AJCA-NAJ Area Representative for more information.
  
  STAFF ADDITIONS
  
  Colton Hoffman, Shinglehouse, Penna., has been named Assistant General Manager for National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ), effective September 22, 2014. Hoffman will provide assistance in customer service, maintenance of membership and other company resources, economic analysis, and the development and marketing of NAJ programs and services.
  
  Hoffman earned a B.S. in Animal Sciences, Business Option from The Pennsylvania State University, where he was a member of its Platinum Award winning team at the 2014 National Dairy Challenge. While pursuing his studies, he worked for a year at First Citizens Community Bank as an agricultural loan and marketing intern. His responsibilities included assisting with the Dairy Profit Team and company trend analysis, organizing the bank's Agriculture Forum, and managing business development loans.
  
  Hoffman has a wealth of dairy herd management skills acquired by working on the 800-cow Holstein and Jersey dairy operated by three generations of his family in northern Pennsylvania. He has also worked as a relief A.I. technician for Select Sires Inc.
  
  Also joining the staff as Customer Service Specialist is Megan Kirkendall, Westerville, Ohio. Kirkendall will provide member service and administrative support for the Herd Services, Research and Genetic Programs, and Development departments.
  
  She will finish her degree in Food Business Management from The Ohio State University in December. There, she was employed by the OSU Marching and Athletic Bands as a secretary and librarian, assisting in daily office operations and working directly with band members. Kirkendall also worked as a student assistant to the business manager at the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center and as an intern in agriculture producer and accounts management at Haughn & Associates Insurance Agency.
  Return to Industry Buzz.
  9.29.2014