The National Jersey Youth Production Contest provides 10 awards in each of two divisions: (1) limited to first-lactation cows calving before reaching 30 months of age, and (2) all other cows. Participants are eligible for an award in only one division, and an overall contest winner will be recognized.
Eligibility
*Pay close attention to dates.
1. You have been no younger than nine (9) and not older than 20 (inclusive) on January 1, 2025.
2. You must be a member (junior or Lifetime) of the American Jersey Cattle Association on or before March 1, 2026.
3. Cows must be recorded by the American Jersey Cattle Association in the Herd Register or with Generation Count 4 or greater.
4. Lactation records must be completed between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.
5. Records must have a Data Collection Rating of at least 90.
4. On or before the cow’s freshening date and through completion of the lactation, you must be listed as the Recorded Owner
on the registration certificate, either (1) as the sole owner or (2) by your name in joint ownership. If the joint ownership includes more than one junior eligible for this contest (see 1 and 2, above), the entry will be made in the names of the eligible junior co-owners.
5. You may submit NO MORE THAN three (3) records. The highest ranking record within age division will be used.
6. Previous Overall Winners of the contest are not eligible.
Entry Rules
Records completed on AJCA Performance Programs: All 305-day records will be available on the AJCA database. To confirm, log on to infoJersey.com and request the Performance Progeny Report for your cow(s).
DHIA Records: Send the individual cow page listing the 305-day lactation.
Entry Deadline
All entries must be received by the AJCA on or before March 1, 2026. Entries will not be accepted after this date.
Mail this form to American Jersey Cattle Association, Attn: Youth Production Contest, 6486 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-2362. Fax the form to 614/861-8040. Download the form from the USJersey website at http://bit.do/JuniorProduction and submit it electronically to info@usjersey.com with “National Youth Production Contest” in the subject line.
Rankings
Records will be standardized on a 305-day, 2x m.e. basis using values provided by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB), then ranked by dollar value calculated using the FMMO protein, butterfat, and other solids values for the previous year, plus a weighted average PPD.
Awards
A total of $550.00 (first, $100.00; second, $75.00; third, $50.00; and fourth, $25.00 in each division, plus an additional $50.00 to the overall winner) plus plaques and special awards will be presented. Recognition certificates will be sent to every participant.
List of Previous Winners
2024
1. Coltan Seals
2. Nicole Arrowsmith
3. Sara Reed
4. Clancey Krahn
5. Jessica Hewitt
6. Cassie Bohnert
7. Lee Taylor
8. Sarah Diehl
9. Regan Johnson
10. Jamie Gibbs
2023
1. Emma Vos
2. Tyler Seals
3. Sara Reed
4. Coltan Seals
5. Nicole Arrowsmith
6. Kylie Konyn
7. Clancey Krahn
8. Jessica Hewitt
9. Regan Johnson
10. Sophia Bollenbacher
2022
1. Regan Jackson
2. Mary Holtz
3. Sara Reed
4. Tyler Seals
5. Kylie Konyn
6. Jamie Gibbs
7. Regan Jackson
8. Clancey Krahn
9. Morgan Osborne-Whotthlie
10. Tara Knapp
2021
1. Lydia Chittenden
2. Josh Seals
3. Mary Holtz
4. Kathryn Bosley
5. Regan Jackson
6. Caroline Arrowsmith
7. Gracie Krahn
8. Meghan Hettinga
9. Coltan Seals
10. Kylie Konyn
2020
1. Colin Wussow
2. Josh Seals
3. Lydia Chittenden
4. Gracie Krahn
5. Kylie Lehr
6. Kathryn Bosley
7. Mary Holtz
8. Lane Bollenbacher
9. Hannah Diehl
10. Meghan Hettinga
2019
Katarina Emerich, Mooers, N.Y.
2018
Catherine Savage, Dickerson, Md.
2017
Kaila Wussow, Cecil, Wis.
2016
Gerret Boer, Dalhart, Texas
2015
Emily Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y.
2014
Olivia Price Pearson, Lincolnton, N.C.
2013
Dylan Ellenburg, Morristown, Tenn.
2012
Cassandra N. Krull, Lake Mills, Wis.
2011
Cassandra Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y.
2010
Amber Ettinger, Kinards, S.C.