Prefixes
Prefix names serve as a trademark for animals of your own breeding and are a valuable asset in advertising. Prefix names not in use may be reserved for your exclusive use. Prefix names are free to new members; a nominal fee is charged to non-members.
Reserve a prefix name
A breeder of registered cattle may reserve for his exclusive use a prefix name, if it is not in use, or very similar to other prefix names in use in the files of the AJCA. The name may not be used by any other breeder unless such other breeder submits the written permission of the proprietor of the reserved prefix. The proprietor’s right to the prefix name shall be lost by five (5) consecutive years of non-use of the prefix.
See the Rules for Registration and Transfer of Jersey Cattle (Rule II, Names of Animals, (e) Prefixes) for complete details
Prefix restrictions +
- The prefix can be a farm name, but it cannot be a name that pertains to known and established bloodlines of Jersey cattle, i.e. Design, Sybil, St.Mawes, etc…
- Only animals bred by the proprietor of a prefix may bear the prefix name of the breeder.
- In reserving the prefix names, seniority in use shall control, and upon a request to use a prefix that has theretofore been in use, the Executive Secretary shall consult the senior user and allow them to reserve the prefix, and failing to do so within thirty (30) days, the later user may reserve such prefix.
- A name used by each of five (5) or more owners five (5) or more times in the five (5) years preceding a request is considered to be in common use and may not be used by any single breeder.
- A charge established by the Board of Directors will be made for reserving a prefix, except when obtained in connection with a membership. A certificate of such reservation will be provided to the proprietor of the prefix.
- The denial of the right to register a prefix name shall not constitute a denial to the right to use an unregistered prefix name.
- Upon the sale of a farm and a majority of the herd, by the registered user or prefix name, such registered prefix name may be transferred to the purchaser of the herd, provided the transfer is forthwith recorded with the Association and the appropriate fee is paid. Members of a family may use the same prefix, if names and owner numbers of family members have been submitted to the association.
- A reserved prefix may be used, but is not required to be used, when a person authorized to use the reserved prefix is both the breeder and the first owner on record of the animal being registered.
- The reserved prefix of the Breeder of record must be used when naming animals, when the First Owner of the animal being registered is not also the Breeder of record. The Breeder of record may waive this requirement upon written notification to the AJCA at the time transfer of ownership is filed.
- When the rights to flush a female are sold, the seller (i.e., Breeder of record) may grant to the buyer the right to name the resulting animals using the buyer’s reserved prefix, if the buyer makes the mating decision and buys all resulting embryos. The seller must submit written permission allowing use of the buyer’s reserved prefix along with the transfer of ownership of the embryos to the Association.
Prefix reservation form +
Prefixes may be reserved at the time you become a member of the American Jersey Cattle Association. Other individuals may reserve an available prefix for a fee outlined in the Fees for Programs and Services document. Use the form below to request a prefix.