For six decades the National Heifer Sale has been the single largest contributor to the youth development activities sponsored by the American Jersey Cattle Association.
The standard, since the sale’s inception in 1958, has always been for each consignor, a 10% donation to the fund for the simple reason that Jersey youth are the lifeline of the breed’s future. This year, some folks were determined they wanted to invest more with their consignments.
This year the fund will receive a check in excess of $38,000, due in part to extra contributions of many consignors.
Donating above the 10% level were California Jersey breeders: Yosemite Jersey Dairy, Jerseyland Sires, Ahlem Farms Partnership, Red Top Jerseys, Charles Ahlem, Wickstrom Jersey Farms Inc., James Ahlem, and William Ahlem Jr., along with other breeders across the country, Chris and Cheryl Sorenson, Pine River, Wis., 2 To Too Girls, Dalhart, Texas, D&E Jerseys, Dalhart, Texas, and John Kokoski of Hadley, Mass.
On July 2, 2016, in the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina ballroom, 40 lots of the breed’s leading genomic heifers crossed the auction block for a strong $4,740 average. Twenty-three buyers in 13 states made purchases totaling $189,600. Texas Jersey breeders purchased the most lots with six buyers taking 15 animals back to the Lone Star State.
California Jersey breeders took the challenge to send their best to the sale benefitting the youth programs as seven of the nine high sellers were consigned by breeders from Hilmar.
For the fourth consecutive year, the premier heifer sale in the breed was an all-virtual sale broadcast live around the world on JerseyAuctionLive.com.
Sale manager Jersey Marketing Service continued the latest concept of a sale, where the animals sold in absentia, via video feeds projected on large screens in the ballroom. Auctioneer Chris Hill and pedigree reader Greg Lavan talked about and sold each heifer while the audience watched from their tables. The videos were also played to the world through JerseyAuctionLive.com and bidders from across the nation could bid via the internet.
The consignments came from 18 states and had an average GJPI of +151. Thirty-two of the 40 heifers carried A.I. interest from various companies. At sales end, eight animals had topped $6,000 each.
Leading Ladies of San Diego
As the lights lowered and videos of heifers began to show on the big screens in the ballroom, the audience came to life as the video of a top 100 heifer, Dupat Machete 14706, began to play on the screen.
Active bidding from around the ballroom continued for several minutes for the 10-month-old heifer calf until Dan Carroll of Sexing Technologies, Navosta, Texas, placed the final bid of $15,700 on “14706.” The company was the volume buyer of the sale purchasing nine head for $65,450.
She is the #2 daughter of Sunset Canyon Machete-ET, GJPI +202, in the breed and carries a GPTA of +1,591M, +45F, +47P, +$545CM, +6.2 PL and +209 for GJPI. She sold carrying A.I. interest from seven different companies. She ranks 77th in the breed overall for GJPI. She tested free of Jersey Haplotype 1 (JH1) and has a BBR of 100.
Her dam is a Very Good-84% daughter of All Lynns Louie Valentino-ET, GJPI +129, with a two lactation m.e. average of 24,319–1,172–891. She ranks among the top 1.5% of the breed for GJPI at +140. The grandam is also Very Good and has a top record of 3-0 285 20,640 4.9% 1,016 3.6% 747 104DCR. The next two dams both average over 5.3% for butterfat test. “14706” was consigned by Wickstrom Jersey Farms Inc., Hilmar, Calif.
The second high seller is a maternal sister to last year’s high seller at the sale. Hillview Mackenzie Key-Linda-ET was purchased for $15,500 by the Key-Linda Syndicate, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
The three-month-old daughter of Missiska Mackenzie-ET, GJPI +187, was consigned by Chris and Cheryl Sorenson, Pine River, Wis.
“Key-Linda” sold ranked as the 61st heifer for GJPI at +211 and the #2 daughter of her sire, “Mackenzie” in the breed. She carries a GPTA of +1,340M, +70F, +50P, +$599CM, +5.7PL, and a GJUI of +15.5. Six different A.I. organizations expressed interest in working with this breed leader. She tested free of JH1 and has a BBR of 100. Her polled full-sister, Hillview Mackenzie Key-Lipstick-P-ET, is the fifth highest ranking polled animal in the breed at +198 for GJPI.
Her dam, Hillview Headline Keylime-P, Very Good-87%, ranks among the top 1.5% of the breed for GJPI at +141. She was the high seller at the Sorenson Hillview Milking Herd Dispersal in October 2015 when she was purchased for $16,500. Her best record was at 2 years and 10 months in 365 days, when she produced 24,170 4.1% 1,000 3.3% 806 DHIR. She is sired by Schultz Rescue Headline, GJPI +96. She has numerous sons in A.I.
“Key-Linda’s” grandam was purchased by the Sorensons in the 2009 National Heifer Sale in Syracuse, N.Y. Circle S Abe Key Largo-P was consigned by Joanna Lidback, Barton, Vt., a recipient of the this year’s Young Jersey Breeder award. “Key Largo” is appraised Very Good-86% and has a son “Key Lingo-PP” at Taurus Service. She has three completed lactations all exceeding 21,000 lbs. milk, 900 lbs. fat and 700 lbs. protein. She has a best record of 4-5 365 31,214 4.2% 1,312 3.2% 994 DHIR. She is sired by the former #1 JPI sire, Ahlem Lemvig Abe-ET, GJPI +86. The next dam is Very Good-86% with more than 18,000 lbs. milk and 900 lbs. fat.
The next three dams are Excellent-90%, Very Good-89% and Excellent-90% with strong production records.
In a surprise twist as Hilmar Lemonhead 28-ET’s video began to play on the screen JMS Manager Greg Lavan made the announcement that owner Charles Ahlem, Hilmar, Calif., had just committed to donating 100% of the proceeds of her sale to the youth funds.
Bidding quickly escalated on the P9 heifer and Dan Carroll once again placed the final bid of $11,300 for Sexing Technologies.
“Lemonhead 28” is sired by Steinhauers Samson Lemonhead, GJPI +158, and ranks on the top 500 heifer list for GJPI. She carried a GPTA of +$520CM, +5.4 PL, +1.1 DPR, GJUI +27.4, and a GJPI of +184 at sale time. Seven A.I. companies expressed interest in working with her for sons. She also tested free for JH1 and has a BBR of 100.
Her maternal sister by All-Lynns Celebrity Voltage-ET, GJPI +101, is appraised Very Good-87% and has a 1-8 m.e. of 21,849–1,074–811. She, along with two more sisters, rank among the top 1.5% for GJPI in the breed.
Their dam is a Very Good-84% daughter of Mainstream Iatola Sparky, GJPI +139. She has a 3-0 record of 27,720 lbs. milk, 1,210 lbs. fat and 974 lbs. protein. She ranks among the top 1.5% for GJPI at +152 and has a GJUI of 20.3. The next dam is appraised Very Good-80% with a top record of 24,800 lbs. milk, 1,146 lbs. fat and 870 lbs. protein at 2-10. She is sired by Sunset Canyon Benefactor, GJPI +133.
The next two dams have produced record in excess of 20,000 lbs. milk and three of the next four dams are appraised Very Good-85% or higher.
The highest GJPI heifer in the sale (+218) sold for the fourth high price of $9,100. Paired as a choice with another heifer, Yosemite Marcin Golda V33913 {5}, was selected and purchased by Sexing Technologies. The choice of heifers was consigned by Yosemite Jersey Dairy, Hilmar, Calif.
Sired by the #1 sire in the breed, Glynn Valentino Marcin, GJPI +236, “Golda V33913 {5}” tested free of JH1 and has a BBR of 100. She carried a GPTA of +1,790M, +53F, +63P, +3.2PL. She is the #3 daughter of “Marcin” for GJPI and ranks 30th in the breed for GJPI. and has A.I. interest from five organizations.
She sold bred to Rectors Sparky Moon, GJPI +173, and due in December.
Her dam is appraised Very Good-82% and is sired by Oomsdale TBone Golda {3}-ET, GJPI +129. She has a 2-11 record of 22,900 lbs. milk, 1,276 lbs. fat and 917 lbs. protein on 3x milking.
The next dam is Yosemite Abe Trimmer H3274, Very Good-83%, a top butterfat producer with lifetime averages exceeding 5.4% on four lactations. She has a top record of 21,903 lbs. milk, 1,179 lbs. fat and 891 lbs. protein at 3-8.
Sexing Technologies continued their purchases of top genetics with the fifth high seller, Ahlem News Carol 48068-ET. The Texas based A.I. company purchased her for $8,600. The P9 heifer was consigned by Ahlem Farms Partnership, Hilmar, Calif.
“Carol 48068” is a December 2015 heifer that tested free for JHI and has a BBR of 100.
Sired by Glynn Headline News-ET, GJPI +214, she carries a GPTA of +1,000M, +52F, +42P, +$555CM, +5.4 PL and GJPI +197. She ranks among the top 200 GJPI heifers in the breed and had A.I. interest expressed by seven organizations. She has four maternal brothers in A.I. sampling and several sisters that rank among the top GJPI heifers in the breed.
Their dam is an Excellent-91% daughter of BW Renegade-ET, GJPI +105, and ranks on the top 1.5% list for GJPI. She has a 2-11 record of 20,820 lbs. milk, 1,207 lbs. fat and 804 lbs. protein. The next dam, BW Iatola Carol ET515-ET, Excellent-90%, is a well-known daughter of BW Avery Katie ET121-ET.
“Carol” has a 6-4 record of 24,040 lbs. milk, 1,174 lbs. fat and 857 lbs. protein. The next dam, “Katie,” is the dam of BW Academy-ET, GJPI +88. She is appraised Excellent-93% and has four records exceeding 30,000 lbs. milk, 1,400 lbs. fat and 1,000 lbs. protein. The next dam is BW Berretta Prize G525, Excellent-92%, and a finalist in the 2015 Jersey Journal Great Cow Contest.
Jerseyland Sires, Turlock, Calif., purchased the sixth high selling heifer—Red Top Illusion 34139. The California-based sire proving group paid $6,700 for the eight-month-old calf from a high-producing maternal line.
Consigned by Red Top Jerseys, Hilmar, Calif., “34139” sold with a DPR of +2.0 and PL of 4.2. She carried a GJPI of +172 and had A.I. interest from six companies. She is a carrier of JH1 and has a BBR of 100.
The October 2015 heifer is sired by Pearlmont Visionary Illusion, GJPI +174, and out of a Very Good daughter of D&E Headline Vince-ET, GJPI +83.
The dam has a 1-9 m.e. of 26,403–1,077–917. She is fresh on her second lactation with test weights up to 97 lbs. milk daily. She ranks among the top 1.5% of the breed for GJPI at +139.
The next dam is Very Good-84% and sired by Senn-Sational Paramount Ace, GJPI +14, and has two lactations exceeding 26,000 lbs. milk, 1,100 lbs. fat and 900 lbs. protein. The next two dams are also appraised Very Good-84% and have actual completed records of more than 23,000 lbs. milk, 1,200 lbs. fat and 860 lbs. protein.
Faria Brothers Dairies, Dumas, Texas, purchased the seventh high seller through an online bid with JerseyAuctionLive.com.
D&E Mackenzie Kira 15260 sold for $6,300. She was consigned by D&E Jerseys, Dalhart, Texas.
“Kira 15260” is an August 2015 heifer with a GPTA of +81F, +$602CM, +3.8 PL and a GJPI of +200. She ranks among the top 150 females of the breed for GJPI. “Kira 15260” is a carrier of JH1 and has a BBR of 100. The heifer is sired by “Mackenzie,” and sold with A.I. interest from half a dozen companies for potential sons.
Her dam, D&E Virtual Kira 23078, is appraised Very Good-82%, and has a 1-8 record of 19,350 lbs. milk, 987 lbs. fat and 710 lbs. protein. She ranks among the top 1.5% of the breed for GJPI at +189. She has two maternal sisters also ranking among the top 1.5% of the breed for GJPI. A maternal brother, D&E Plus King Kong, GJPI +150, is in A.I. sampling at Genex.
The next dam is D&E Legal Kira 22022, Very Good-86%. She has two lactations exceeding 23,000 lbs. milk, 1,000 lbs. fat and 870 lbs. protein. Her three lactation m.e. average is 25,096–1,152–914. The next dam is a Very Good-81% daughter of Ahlem Lemvig Abe {6}-ET, GJPI +84, and has a 4-9 lactation in 300 days of 20,170 lbs. milk, 976 lbs. fat and 752 lbs. protein.
Selling for the eighth high price of the day at $6,200 was the consignment of Wickstrom Dairies LP, Hilmar, Calif. Valsigna Marcin 27457 was purchased by Sexing Technologies.
“27457” is sired by “Marcin,” and ranks 200th in the breed for GJPI at +198. The P9 heifer carries GPTAs of +1,212M, +48F, +$47P, +$509CM, and PL of +4.3. Six A.I. companies expressed interest in working with the new owners for sons of “27457.” She tested free for JH1 and has a BBR of 100.
Her dam, Valsigna Kilowatt 18713, is appraised Very Good-81% and has a three lactation m.e. average of 20,732–1,041–801. The next dam is Very Good-85% and sired by Sunset Canyon Shawnee-ET, GJPI +90. She has a 2-11 lactation of 24,020 lbs. milk, 1,109 lbs. fat and 826 lbs. protein. She is out of an “Abe” daughter with a 3-7 record of 22,850 lbs. milk, 1,307 lbs. fat and 972 lbs. protein.
Steve Rowley, Foxworth, Miss., was the second high volume buyer of the day, purchasing five head for $17,350.
Trans Ova Donation
Jersey breeders were not the only ones contributing funds to the youth programs of the American Jersey Cattle Assocation at the National Heifer Sale. For the third consecutive year, Trans Ova Genetics, Sioux Center, Iowa, donated one in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle with reverse sort semen to benefit the youth education program at the AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings. The cycle was purchased by Wickstrom Jersey Dairy Inc., for $1,850.
Sales $3,800 and Over
(Consignors in Parentheses)
Sexing Technologies / Accounting Dept, Navasota,
Texas
Dupat Machete 14706, heifer calf 10 mos. $15,700
(Wickstrom Jersey Farms Inc., Hilmar, Calif.)
Hilmar Lemonhead 28-ET, heifer calf 9 mos. 11,300
(Charles Ahlem, Hilmar, Calif.)
Yosemite Marcin Golda V33913 {5}, bred heifer 14 mos.
………………………………… 9,100
(Yosemite Jersey Dairy, Hilmar, Calif.)
Ahlem News Carol 48068-ET, heifer calf 6 mos. 8,600
(Ahlem Farms Partnership, Hilmar, Calif.)
Valsigna Marcin 27457, heifer calf 11 mos. 6,200
(Wickstrom Dairies, Lp, Hilmar, Calif.)
Lylestanley Volcano Julia B 2329-ETS, heifer calf 4 mos.
………………………………… 4,500
(Lylestanley Trace Llc, Lee, Fla.)
Ohio Reno Valentino 484 {6}, heifer calf 5 mos. 3,900
(Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio)
Key-Linda Syndicate, Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Hillview Mackenzie Key-Linda-ET, heifer calf 3 mos. 15,500
(Chris and Cheryl Sorenson, Pine River, Wis.)
Jerseyland Sires, Turlock, Calif.
Red Top Illusion 34139, heifer calf 8 mos. 6,700
(Red Top Jerseys, Hilmar, Calif.)
Jcj Pharoah 33329 {4}, open yearling 12 mos. 5,600
(James Ahlem, Hilmar, Calif.)
Jason Faria, Dumas, Texas
D&E Mackenzie Kira 15260-ET, heifer calf 10 mos. 6,300
(D & E Jerseys, Dalhart, Texas)
Richard and Jennifer M. Avila, Dalhart, Texas
Crescent Premium Gudlady {5}-ET, bred heifer 16 mos.
………………………………… 5,100
(Crescent Farm, Walpole, N.H.)
Forest Glen Clearvision Jadey, bred heifer 18 mos. 4,000
(Dan K. Bansen, Dayton, Ore.)
Avonlea Jerseys, Brighton, Ont.
Offering first choice female by Hawarden Impuls Premier out of Elliotts Vivid Deluxe 4,800
(Arethusa Farm, Litchfield, Conn.)
Steve Rowley, Foxworth, Miss.
River Valley Temper Flaring-ET, heifer calf 3 mos. 4,700
(River Valley Farm, Morton, Ill.)
Norse Star Saxon Flute-P-ET, heifer calf 5 mos. 3,800
(Norse Star Jerseys, Westby, Wis.)
Wickstrom Jersey Farms Inc., Hilmar, Calif.
Dutch Hollow Lemonhead Marlo-ET, heifer calf 6 mos. 4,200
(Paul C. Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y.)
Andrew P. Mason, Chestertown, Md.
Hi-Land Volcano Fortuna, heifer calf 11 mos. 4,100
(Greg and David Chamberlain, Wyoming, N.Y.)
Ahlem Farms Partnership, Hilmar, Calif.
Cdf Marcin Plus 11652, open yearling 13 mos. 4,000
(C & S Livestock, Hilmar, Calif.)
Travis Lehnertz, Plainview, Minn.
Sunset Canyon Daybreak As Maid, heifer calf 4 mos. 4,000
(Eric L. Silva, Beaver, Ore.)
Olivia P. Pearson, Lincolnton, N.C.
BRJ Shocker Fortuna B-17, bred heifer 16 mos. 3,900
(Bush River / Skiparilla and/or Tyler, Tabb and Trey