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2004 Annual Council Meetings
Vice President (North America) - Report
What a time of change and feverish activity the Jersey associations in North America are knowing in early 2004! Canada
continues to reel from the impact of discovery of one single cow with BSE in May 2003. The discovery of one animal with
the same disease in the USA (Canadian origin) in December 2003 has shifted our world on its axis yet again. We will not
belabour this point other than to say that we fervently hope better and brighter days are ahead for our highly, highly
integrated cattle industry!
That being noted other activities are clicking along at “warp speed”. The American Jersey Cattle Association and its
members continue to astound with incredible accomplishments. This association and the cow it supports are truly standouts
in the US dairy industry! In 2003 AJCA registrations topped 69,000 head, the eighth best total in association history,
over 130 years of recording! Stop and ponder the significance of such statistic in a total dairy industry with many less
cows today than even a decade ago! The AJCA also recorded the third best year in history for packaged performance/type
evaluation programmes with over 98,000 cows and 929 enrolled! And the great news continues – over 67,000 appraised for
conformation – an all-time record! Jersey Marketing Service, the AJCA’s cattle marketing arm, recorded its fourth highest
year in history as they managed the movement of over 5300 head of cattle worth well over $7,000,000 in American funds!
Far from resting on its laurels the AJCA is driving into 2004 with more than 20 sales on the Jersey Marketing Service
calendar! The AJCA over the past year in particular has forged ahead with special on-farm events that sing the benefits
of the Jersey breed and provide education and consultation on how to manage Jerseys for maximum profitability. There is
a “brown wave of money-making efficiency” sweeping the US dairy industry.
In Canada the decided focus has been on expanding the Jersey influence in the domestic market. This has been accomplished
through re-vamping of our Jersey Owner’s Manual and translating it into French for the buoyant and growing market in
Quebec, releasing over 40 new releases about exciting Jersey happenings that have been well-received and re-printed in the
farm press, revitalizing our website, and going after new members and registry activity work.
Jersey Canada is actively seeking alliances with appropriate industry partners to reduce duplication of services and
increase operating efficiencies, all to benefit dairymen.
Much effort is being expended in Canada to ensure that the 17th International World Conference of the Bureau is one to
remember! This event, from June 26th until July 4th, 2005 will be amazing! Prior to the event our international friends
can partake in a pre-conference tour to Quebec and Eastern Ontario or take part in the AJCA annual meeting in Western
Pennsylvania which is in relatively close proximity to the conference focus areas of Western Ontario. Post conference
events will allow for a taste of the rugged majesty of Canada’s west and the Rocky Mountains!
I will not be with you all in Argentina and Chile and I regret that greatly. Our Jersey Canada annual meeting is very
soon after the Argentina portion and at the same time as the Chile visit. I have, however, been in contact with those who
have been working on our website development and the WJCB news release creation to ensure that we are moving ahead on
those two important fronts!
Have a superb set of meetings and remember that we have limitless potential to grow the Jersey influence on a world wide
basis because the Jersey cow is adaptable, profitable and designed for the future!
Out theme for the 17th World Conference is “Shaping the Future” and that is what we must be all about in a proactive,
positive, energetic manner!
Respectfully submitted.
Russell Gammon
February 2004
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