Brad Barham Reynoldsburg, Ohio Business Development Specialist American Jersey Cattle Association

Please describe your agricultural background.
I was born and raised on a 200-cow Jersey farm in Calhoun, Tennessee. In my middle school and high school days, I was active in 4-H, showing and judging teams with our cattle. I placed in the top 10 nationally as a sophomore for our state 4-H judging team.

In the most recent years, I have helped the farm from a business and marketing aspect with stud contracts, embryo work and genetic management.

What are your new responsibilities?
My new responsibilities will include providing customer support for Internet-based services (JerseyMate, Herd View, etc.), assisting with genomic testing and young sire groups supported by AJCA, developing new markets of interest and expanding existing markets.

I will also take customer feedback on our programs in order to improve them, assist with JerseyTag sales and assist with the Jersey Marketing Service.

What territory will you cover?
I will be based out of the company headquarters in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Travel will be primarily within the U.S.

What previous positions have you held?
After graduation in May of 2010, I began working with Verizon Wireless as a retail sales consultant. All the while, I developed the genetic base at Barham Jersey Farm using the tools available from the AJCA, including genomic testing.

What excites you most about working in your new role?
I love the Jersey cow! My biggest interest is in genetics, particularly genomics. I believe that this is an amazing tool to be used for management decisions that can increase profitability for dairy business owners and more rapidly increase the genetic progress of the Jersey cow.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
I believe that my hands-on knowledge of technology incorporated with the services provided by the American Jersey Cattle Association and my overall knowledge of the Jersey cow will enable me to provide customized customer service.

Why did you choose this company?
I love the Jersey cow, the wonderful staff at the AJCA and to help fellow dairy farmers. I could not ask for anything better to do in my life.

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
I would like to see progression of the Jersey breed using the tools that we have now and the tools that we will develop and implement along the way.

I also want to be able to teach breeders the benefits of our internet-based programs and how easy they can be to help their operations become more profitable. PD