Jersey Canada processed 9,257 registrations. This is a 3 percent increase over 2012, when a 45-year record was broken.
“Two record-setting years is especially exciting for us,” says Kathryn Kyle, general manager of Jersey Canada.
Kyle attributes the increase to more and more herds incorporating the Jersey breed to increase the components in their milk and to achieve the ideal solids-not-fat ratio.
Statistics from DHI revealed in 2000, 3.4 percent of herds using milking recording included at least one milking Jersey cow (420 herds). By 2013, 16.3 percent of herds on test included at least one milking Jersey cow (1,511 herds).
“Once they have Jerseys, people are quite impressed with their feed efficiency,” Kyle says, adding that Jerseys typically are easy to get in calf and experience few difficult calvings. All of these traits enhance the breed’s appeal to the farm manager.
A small portion of the growth of registrations comes from the fact that it is easier to register an animal now than in the past.
Animals can be registered through DHI online or with a pen and paper. In 2013, 72 percent of all registrations were filed through milk recording agencies or using Jersey Canada’s online registry system.
Last year was a strong year for transfers as well, with 2,252 transfers processed. According to Kyle, there is room for growth here. “Once the registration is transferred, the more inclination the new owner has to keep it up,” she says.
Kyle reminds Jersey owners to transfer the registration for the animals they sell.
Jersey Canada’s membership numbers remained strong and consistent. It welcomed 78 new prefixes this past year.
“We’d like to see all of these numbers continue to grow,” Kyle says.
“Personally, I’d like to see us break 10,000 in registrations in the next five years,” she adds.
In addition to the record for registrations, Holstein Canada achieved new records for classifications, herd visits and genomic tests.
In 2013, 14,712 genomic tests were processed, up 4,300 from the 10,412 processed in 2012, an increase of 41.3 percent. Compared to the previous year, the total number of animals classified was up 5.4 percent, and herd visits were up 5.2 percent.
Holstein Canada’s press release announcing these figures states, “These great results can be attributed to and would not be possible without the field service work being done across Canada along with provincial branch support, willingness of new members as well as existing members, and a new, more functional website that has made online services easier and more efficient.”
For continued success, both organizations will carry out the initiatives outlined in their respective strategic plans.
“The Holstein Canada team is determined to stay focused on the strategic plan put forward by our board to be the best we can be for our members in this changing and dynamic industry,” says CEO Ann Louise Carson in a press release.
Jersey Canada will unveil a new strategic plan at its annual general meeting, March 20-22, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The plan encourages the board of directors and field representatives to promote the efficiency and profitability of the breed.
“We want to appeal to the pencil-sharp dairies to start with Jerseys or have them as a portion of their herd,” Kyle says.
The record-setting growth for both organizations demonstrates an understanding of the value animal registration brings to a dairy farm.
The biggest advantage of registering an animal is the record-keeping that comes with it, Kyle says. Each registered animal has a definite genealogy in its recorded pedigree. This can aid in breeding decisions and reduce inbreeding.
The identification that coincides with a registered animal also helps with classification and milk records.
Plus, there is typically a better retail value tied to a registered animal when it comes to reselling the animal or the sale of their progeny.
“Especially if you’re looking to export animals,” Kyle says. “There is a huge respect worldwide for Canadian cattle and registered animals.” PD
