March 1st Deadline for USJersey Youth Awards

February 2, 2026

News

March 1st Deadline for USJersey Youth Awards

Entries are due Sunday, March 1st for the National Jersey Youth Production Contest.

Contestants between the ages of 9 and 20 on January 1, 2026, are eligible if they are the recorded owner of the cow on or before her freshening date. Registered Jerseys completing DHIR or DHIA records of 305-days or less between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, may be entered.

Records are ranked by the multiple-component dollar value of the record. The values were determined by calculating the 305-day mature equivalent (m.e.), then applying Federal Order component values for the previous year along with a weighted average Producer Price Differential (PPD). Those values were $3.29 per pound fat, $1.90 per pound protein, $0.30 per pound other solids and $1.24 per pound PPD for the 2024 contest.

The form is also available from the USJersey website. Or you can email the Communications Department for questions at info@usjersey.com.

The deadline to enter the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest is also March 1, 2026.

The contest recognizes Jersey youth for their leadership, activities, participation in Jersey functions, and success in breeding and managing their own Jersey cattle. The contest is based on a historical record of activities through the contest year.

All applicants must (1) own one or more Registered Jerseys™, (2) be at least sixteen (16) and be no older than twenty (20) years of age on January 1, 2025 and (3) be a member (junior or lifetime) of the American Jersey Cattle Association not later than December 31, 2025.

Applications can be downloaded from this link: https://www.usjersey.com/Portals/0/AJCA/2_Docs/Applications/NJYAC_application.docx

Entries are due no later than Sunday, March 1, for the Living Lifetime Production Contest, the National Jersey Youth Production Contest and submission for applicants in the Youth Achievement Contest.

To be eligible for the Living Lifetime Production Contest, cows must be alive as of December 31, 2025, with either minimum production credits on DHIR test of 225,000 lbs. milk, 10,000 lbs. fat, and 8,000 lbs. protein.

To enter the contest, submit a DHI cow page with lifetime production credits for each animal nominated to Lori King, Herd Services Manager at the AJCA office, 6486 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-2362. Entries may also be faxed to her attention at 614/861-8040.