November 2025 AJCA & NAJ Board Meetings.
The summer meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and the National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) Board of Directors were held November 5-6, 2025 in Louisville, Ky.
Summary of the November 2025, AJCA, NAJ Board Meetings
The boards of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) met November 5-6, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. Actions taken are as summarized.
AJCA-NAJ-AJSC Financial Outlook
Financial statements for the AJCA and National All-Jersey Inc. and Subsidiary, All-Jersey Sales Corporation (Jersey Marketing Service) were reviewed. Through nine months, the AJCA reported revenues of $2,436,115 and expenditures of $2,279,468 before the All American. NAJ reported revenues of $404,267 versus expenditures of $343,205. JMS revenues were $148,910; expenditures were $79,978. A net income through September 30, 2025, for all organizations was reported of $263,641 before the All American.
Budgets for 2026 were approved. Total AJCA revenues were budgeted at $3,135,451 against expenditures of $3,208,175. The AJCA budget was based on 83,000 registrations, 12,000 transfers, 139,000 cows enrolled on all performance programs (135,000 on REAP), 205,000 JerseyTags units, 5,200 genomic and ID qualification tests, and 227 pages of paid advertising in Jersey Journal.
The budget for NAJ was based on 950 Equity investors and All-Jersey Sales Corp. revenues of $151,000. The budgeted revenues for NAJ-AJSC combined were $695,300, and budgeted expenditures of $661,651 were approved.
Market values of investments at September 30 were: Building Fund, $1,814,718; Investment Trust, $1,251,726; Scholarship and other awards funds, $1,171,337; Jersey Youth Academy, $758,923; and AJCC Research Foundation, $3,516,875.
The Investment Advisory Committee met with investment managers on November 9 to review current portfolios and set investment strategies for 2026.
Young Sire Usage in Herds
The board voted to recommend to Jersey breeders that 50% of the dairy matings in their herd are to proven bulls and 50% to young sires. Individual young sires should be used lightly with no more than 2% of the dairy matings in a herd to an individual young sire. Utilization of proven bulls found to sire the most productive daughters should be used most heavily.
Type Appraisal Trait Reporting
Greenbook bull lists will now display linear type traits as “+” or “-“ rather than with leading letters. The list and description of traits affected is shown below.
New Young Sire Program Developed
The Board has approved the development of a Young Sire Proving Program designed to strengthen breeder involvement in breed improvement and ensure the continued progress of the Jersey cow. The program will focus on progeny testing young, purebred bulls from pedigrees with proven performance, aiming to identify and return the most promising sires to Active A.I. service.
To be eligible, nominated bulls must meet the following standards: 99% or higher Percent Jersey Ancestry; rank in the top half of Active A.I. bulls for genomic JPI; Must be sired by proven bulls; and both the dam and maternal grandam must carry official production and appraisal records.
Participation will be a shared responsibility between breeders, AJCA, and program members. The program is structured to reward collaboration. Breeders receive limited semen for on-farm use, members gain early access to semen at reduced cost once daughters are milking, and if a bull proves successful and re-enters Active A.I. service, profits are shared equally among the breeder, AJCA, and participating members.
Regional and National Show Designations
Funding for the 2026 regional shows, was evaluated and discussed. Funding will be allocated as follows to these regional and national shows:
• California Spring Show; Northeast All-Breeds Spring Show; and Western National Show will receive $500 for direct expenses in the youth shows;
• $1,000 will be allocated to supplement the premiums paid to junior exhibitors at both the Central National Junior Show (Madison) and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Junior Show (Harrisburg);
Designations are also contingent upon enforcement of the PDCA Show Ring Code of Ethics, with all cows subject to ultrasound and milk sample testing.
August 1 will continue to be the date for fall show transfers for junior show eligibility. For a spring national show, April 1 will be the deadline to meet requirements.
Discussion of Jersey Journal
The Board directed staff to investigate transitioning to two printed issues per year—one in the first half and one in the second half, and discontinue the monthly digital “flip” magazine in favor of developing a digital newsletter. The newsletter would be launched once a strong advertising base is established. The newsletter would be published a minimum of once per month and delivered to all USJersey customers with an email on file.
2026 AJCA-NAJ Annual Meeting Schedule
The dates of the AJCA-NAJ annual meetings will be June 16-20, 2026, in Springfield, Mo., at the DoubleTree Hotel. A schedule was approved by the board of directors including visits to the College of the Ozarks, Bass Pro Shop, and StarStruck Jerseys in addition to the regularly scheduled events.
Committee Appointments
Named as associate chairs for the 2026 All American planning committees were Tyler Boyd, Hilmar, Calif., sale; Trent Kilgus, Fairbury, Ill., open show; Colin Wussow, Cecil, Wis., junior activities and Lynda Lehr, Canastota, N.Y., futurity.
Retirements for 2026 Announced
The Board of Directors received official retirement dates from Executive Secretary Neal Smith and Treasurer Vickie White.
White will retire on September 30, 2026, after 46 years of service, and Smith will retire on December 31, 2026, following 39 years of service. President Chittenden has appointed a search committee to begin identifying successors for both positions.
National All-Jersey Board Meeting
President Corey Lutz presented his strategic observations on the future direction and growth potential of National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ), emphasizing that All-Jersey processing continues to expand nationwide and creates new opportunities for the organization. His key points included:
On-Farm Processing: With approximately 1,200 dairy processing plants nationwide, Lutz noted significant growth in on-farm bottling and cheese production. He emphasized that NAJ is well-positioned to highlight the Jersey cow’s advantages—higher butterfat, superior protein, and richer flavor—attributes that are essential for premium farm-branded products.
A2/A2 Milk Opportunities: Lutz reported strong potential in the expanding A2/A2 milk market. As Jersey genetics continue to make strides in A2/A2 beta casein, NAJ can play a leading role in consumer education and industry communication. The global A2 market is projected to reach nearly $6 billion by 2035, and Jersey producers are well-suited to capitalize on this growth.
Higher Protein Components: He highlighted increasing consumer demand for higher-percent protein foods, not just higher protein volumes. Jersey milk naturally meets this expectation, offering more protein per unit. NAJ can continue to promote and further advance this natural competitive advantage.
Multiple Component Pricing (MCP): Lutz reiterated NAJ’s long-standing goal for all Federal Milk Marketing Orders to adopt MCP. He emphasized that component-based pricing is more relevant than ever, especially as Holstein herds have increased their component levels, influencing market trends.
Continued advocacy is needed to ensure the Jersey cow’s component strengths remain a central part of pricing reform discussions.
Lutz concluded that NAJ has meaningful opportunities for leadership and growth across these areas, and that focused advocacy, communication, and education will position the organization—and the Jersey breed—strongly for the future.
Board Appointment
The NAJ Board appointed Tom Seals, Beaver, Ore., to fill the District 1 seat vacated by Jason Cast, Beaver Crossing, Neb. With this shift, AJCA President Chittenden will name a member to fill the seat previously held by Seals.
Next Meeting
The next meetings of the AJCA and NAJ boards of directors will be March 11-12, 2026. The All American Planning Meetings are scheduled for March 4-5, via Zoom.
Deadlines for President and Director nomination petitions to be filed with the Executive Secretary are April 16 for AJCA (65 days prior to the Annual Meeting), and April 19 for NAJ (60 days prior).
