Welcome to the web site of the Ohio Jersey Breeder's Association (OJBA). We are a membership organization of more than 250 Ohioans who have an interest in the high-component Jersey dairy cow.
Our members come from small family farms, as well as large commercial dairies. They own some of the country's finest Jerseys, whether they be judged in the show ring or by production or genetic merit.
During 2017, the Buckeye State ranked fifth in the nation for Jersey registrations, with 6,168 animals registered with the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA).
The Ohio Jersey News, the official publication of the OJBA, is published five times each year and sent to nearly 1,100 subscribers in 35 states. The magazine provides reports, breeder advertising and news of interest about Ohio Jersey cattle.
For more information or to subscribe to the Ohio Jersey News, contact Susan Mykrantz by email at ohiojerseynews1938@gmail.com or by phone at 330/749-0049.
Jersey People
Ohio Jersey breeders are industry leaders.
Four have been named AJCA Master Breeder; 10 have received the AJCA Distinguished Service Award, including W. W. Trout, who earned the inaugural award in 1954. Four Jersey enthusiasts from the Buckeye State have been presented with the AJCA-NAJ Award for Meritorious Service.
Twenty-five up-and-coming Ohio Jersey breeders have received the AJCA Young Jersey Breeder award since it was first awarded in 1976. Each of the past five years, an Ohio Jersey breeder has earned the award.
One Ohio Jersey breeder, David Spahr, Findlay, has served as president of both the AJCA and NAJ. He also has the distinction of being the most recent Buckeye to receive the Distinguished Service Award (2008).
AJCA Young Jersey Breeder Award Recipients
2017
J and Rachel Hodge and children, Olivia, Jordan and Micah
Norwich
2016
Joel and Mary Beth Albright and children, Luke and Lauren
Willard
2015
Jason and Brandi Nuhfer and son, Gage
Willard
2014
James and Tara Herron and daughter, Ruby
Salem
Nationally-Ranked for Production and Genetic Merit
Two Ohio Jersey herds rank among the top 10 in the nation for production.
Cold Run Jerseys LLC, Salem, ranks second for fat, fourth for protein and eighth for milk with a 2017 lactation average of 24,485M, 1,335F and 933P on 192 cows. Leroy Miller, Fredericksburg, ranks seventh (tie) for fat with 22,384M, 1,220F and 875P on 44 cows.
Several others rank nationally among similar-sized herds, including Albright Jerseys LLC, Willard (300-749 cows), Matthew Steiner, Marshallville (150-299 cows), Nature View Farms LLC, Salem (80-149 cows), Cooperrider & Sons, Croton (80-149 cows) and Kari Michalovich, Lakeville (10-39 cows).
With the latest genetic evaluations, the 357-cow herd owned by Alan Kozak and his family of Millersburg tops the Buckeye State for genetic merit and also ranks #11 in the nation. Their Clover Patch Jerseys herd has a herd average JPI of +76 (December 2017). Ninety-nine percent of the cows have been genotyped.
D&E Headline Eloise 22070
Excellent-93%
5-11 305 35,820 5.8% 2,076 3.5% 1,256
Rank for 305-day production 2017: 2nd milk and fat, 5th protein
Owned by Cold Run Jerseys LLC, Salem
Arethusa HG Libby-ET
Excellent-91%
5-3 305 32,460 6.3% 2,037 4.2% 1,377
Rank for 305-day production 2017: 2nd protein, 3rd fat
Owned by Cold Run Jerseys LLC, Salem
Show Ring Laurels
At the Grandaddy of all Jersey shows, the All American Jersey Show, Ohio Jersey breeders earned 17 top-10 placings and showed the Junior Champion, Beslea Vivitar Goblin. Ohio also captured the winning banner in the state herd class.
In the junior show, an Ohio junior showed the Reserve Junior Champion, DKG Motion Shelby. Ohio junior earned four Reserve Junior All Americans and placed among the top five in two other classes.
Eleven of the 64 cows that have been named winner of the National Jersey Jug Futurity through 2017 hail from the state - more than from any other state.
During the Jug festivities in 2005, two previous winners with ties to Ohio were honored in the Jersey Journal's People's Choice Winner of the National Jersey Jug Futurity. Winning the contest was C Tops Impressive (1996), owned and exhibited by Kevin and Darlene Williams of McConnelsville. Reserve Winner was Ettas Master Babe (1970), bred by Mykrantz Brothers of Wooster.
Beslea Vivitar Goblin
Junior Champion, All American Jersey Show 2017
Owned by Joshua Arp, Norwalk
DKG Motion Shelby
Reserve Junior Champion, All American Junior Jersey Show 2017
Owned by Garrett Hageman, Sidney