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THE RESEARCH RECORD
Early Years
The AJCC Research Foundation funded studies to produce better sire evaluation programs,
determine the genetic basis of two economically important physical abnormalities, tackle
the problem of milk fever, and provide the information used to convince cheesemakers
that they should be buying Jersey milk:
- Correlation of production, type and herd life (Cornell University, 1979-1982)
- Increasing the accuracy of sire evaluations for type (USDA-ARS, Animal Improvement
Programs Laboratory, 1980)
- Use of linear type evaluations to increase profitability (Virginia Polytechnic State
University, 1983)
- Inheritance of Limber Legs (Utah State University, 1971)
- Description and inheritance of Rectovaginal Constriction (Kansas State University, 1976-
1984)
- Requirements for certain minerals to prevent milk fever (University of Kentucky, 1968-
1971)
- Development of predictive cheese yield formula (Utah State University, 1980)
By the mid-’80s
more specific research priorities had been developed. With additional
contributions to the Foundation from Jersey breeders, the number of projects increased dramatically.
From 1991 to 2000, $400,996 was approved for funding 83 studies, continuing to document the biological and economic
efficiencies of Jerseys, along with practical research on:
Breeding plans to optimize genetic gain
while maintaining genetic diversity:
- Use of computerized mate selection programs to control inbreeding of Jersey cattle in
the next generation (University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1999)
- Assessment of genetic diversity in American Jersey bulls (Michigan State University,
2000)
Factors affecting net income, longevity, and lifetime profit:
- Calculation of Production Type Index formula (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University, 1990-1991)
- Influence of clinical mastitis on reproductive performance of Jersey cows (University of
Tennessee, Knoxville, 1999)
- Identification of factors in Jersey milk associated with mastitis resistance (University of
Tennessee, Knoxville, 2000)
- Type traits and culling: Profile of
a low-risk Jersey cow (University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2002)
Nutrition of high-producing Jerseys, particularly practical feeding methods to
maximize production of valuable milk components:
- Effects of dietary cation-anion balance and the incidence of milk fever
(USDA-ARS, National Animal Disease Center, 1992)
- Tissue Vitamin D receptor concentration: A possible explanation for increased
susceptibility of Jerseys to milk fever (USDA-ARS, National Animal Disease Center,
1994)
- Calcium proprionate as a feed additive to combat ketosis and subclinical hypocalcemia
(USDA-ARS, National Animal Disease Center, 1996)
- Copper toxicity in Jersey cattle (University of Kentucky, 1994)
- Body condition and energy balance in Jersey cows (University of Connecticut, 1998)
- Facility design for large Jerseys dairies (University of Arizona, 1999)
Factors affecting yield of products manufactured from Jersey
milk:
- Comparison of cheese manufacturing properties and cheese yield from Jersey and
Holstein milk of similar protein genetic variants (California Polytechnic State University,
1993)
and, factors affecting management of Jersey calves:
- Development of standards of weight and wither height for Jersey heifers (Pennsylvania
State University, 1988)
- Heifer mortality and viability (North Carolina State University, 1991)
- Neonatal morbidity and mortality in Jersey calves (University of Tennessee, 1992)
- Effects of inbreeding on survival of the embryo in Jerseys (North Carolina State
University, 2000).
These are just a few examples of the studies that have provided direct and immediate benefits to
Jersey herd owners. Some of this research has prevented economic losses, while other
studies have produced thousands in additional income.
The Future
As important as it has been to date, the AJCC Research Foundation will only become more
important to the Jersey breed and the Jersey organizations in the years ahead.
In contrast to a long period of studies in population genetics and applied management conducted
at land grant universities and through USDA and its agencies, today’s research is increasingly
focused at the cell level and on the frontier of genetic engineering. Agricultural research is
also more grant driven than it has ever been. Research is an expensive undertaking and
universities are requiring their faculties to generate external sources of funding.
The days of discretionary research—studies conducted because the researcher finds them
interesting and important on merit alone—are gone. If some problem is going to be
studied, it will only be studied if, and when, the researcher obtains the money to do so.
If the future holds research of a practical bent to improve the profitability of the Jersey
breed, it is going to be only because Jersey breeders encourage it and provide the money to
make it happen through the AJCC Research Foundation.
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