Every three years the World Jersey Cattle Bureau holds an international conference in one of the major developed Jersey countries. In 1982 it was Canada’s honour to host a highly memorable conference with the theme “See Canada ‘82”.

In late June 2005 Jersey Canada has grasped the opportunity to host its third conference in the fifty three year history of the World Bureau! This time around the theme of the conference will be the futuristic “Shaping Tomorrow” with a definite focus on Jersey youth.

From June 20^th until June 26^th over 80 pre- conference delegates will experience the wonders of both Eastern and Central Ontario and Western Quebec on their seven day program. Not only will they visit some “knock your eyes out” super quality herds and savour the sights of the nation’s capital, Ottawa and the charm of Montreal. Delegates and a large crowd of others will partake in a world-class Jersey sale “World #1 Jersey Sale” at the spectacular Lookout Farm overlooking North Hatley and the verdant countryside of Quebec’s Eastern Townships on the evening of Wednesday, June 22^nd. Embryo lots from Australia, the United States and the very cream of the breed in Canada along with fifty lots of live animals will make for a breath- taking offering in breath-taking surroundings! The very next day, June 23, another Jersey spectacular will take place at the Ayer’s Cliff fairgrounds with a large Jersey show pitting top flight animals of the breed in competition.

An exceptional roster of international speakers will stimulate torrents of discussion as they challenge delegates to think about advancements in organic farming; animal health and marketing issues; the future of marketing milk and milk components; environmentally sound practices with Jerseys, the “green cow”; genetic improvement and international growth of the Jersey breed. These conference sessions will be a counterpoint to farm tours, sight-seeing and council meetings of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau, the organization fostering galloping growth of the Jersey breed worldwide!

During conference week one of the crown jewels of the program will be a National Jersey Youth Heifer Show that has attracted entries of more than 200 heifers from over 120 young people-some from Jersey backgrounds and some new to the breed! An educational adjunct to a day of lively competition by young people will be a demonstration of Canada’s new Multi Breeds Classification System, set to be launched in the latter half of August 2005.

Conference week wraps up with an impressive closing Gala banquet with auctions of Jersey collector and keepsake items, awards presentations and presentations on upcoming council meetings and the 2008 World Bureau Conference in Jersey, home of the breed. This event takes place on the evening of Sunday, July 3^rd at the Waterloo Inn. The conference has attracted registrations from 15 countries plus Canada!!

Post-conference over 90 delegates will head west to Alberta for a July 4^th til 10^th program that features the Alberta Jersey Provincial picnic near Didsbury, all the majesty and glory of the world-renowned Rocky Mountains and the natural wonders that are part of them, top Jersey herds in the province and the famed Calgary Stampede.

For those wanting even more a further post-conference tour from July 10^th until July 15^th will take 50 participants through the Rockys, into the interior of British Columbia and on to the Fraser Valley and the Pacific Coast. There again top Jersey herds will be on the program and stunning sights will abound.

Over five years ago a dedicated planning team from Jersey Canada’s growing membership set themselves to planning this great series of events. They have been pleasantly overwhelmed by the number of delegates registering for options and the wave of support from generous sponsors!