Go 4 the Gold!
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Mini Jersey bulls at the age of 3 or older, meeting the PMJS Breed Standard, have a verified height of 42" or less, aren't a dwarfism carrier, are DNA confirmed to their sire and dam, have a BBR of 94+, and Genomic Inbreeding of less than 12.5%, to qualify for a FREE Gold Registration into the PMJS open Purebred Herd Book. These bulls are very valuable to the goal of purity for Mini Jerseys. We need to identify them and can sometimes help you with the expense of testing, collection for AI, or finding an appreciative buyer.
The Genomic Evaluation Report used to determine Breed Based Representation (BBR) is managed by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB). They have a fee schedule that's higher for bulls but drastically reduced for cows and heifers. There are more female than male cattle in dairy herds so the pricing reflects that. Testing a bull will run about $147 for the LD (94k) hair sample DNA test with genomics and BBR. Follow these steps to see if your bull meets the requirements for FREE Gold Registration. |
1. CONFORMATION
Does he meet the Breed Standard and Height requirement?
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A Breed Standard is the traits that set a breed apart. For Mini Jerseys we look to the larger Jerseys for guidance, since Purebred Mini Jerseys are miniaturized Jerseys. We want our Mini Jerseys to be seen and instantly recognized as Jerseys. If we want Mini Jerseys to gain some uniformity of traits, conformation, respect and recognition as a breed and not a "cross", we need to hold to a Breed Standard. This is true for all species. Purebred dogs, horses, poultry, etc., have a clearly defined Breed Standard.
You can provide your own measurements for cattle under 3 years old. Ideally, you'll want to provide his height at birth and current height and age. For an official 3-year-old height verification you can have your Vet, AI Tech, or a PMJS Member observe a measurement and sign the form. PMJS does not register Purebred Mini Jerseys over 45" tall at the top of the hip bone or micro miniature cattle. |
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2. DNA TRAITS
Does he carry Dexter Chondrodysplasia?
Is his pedigree authenticated with Parentage/Genetic Markers?
Order the Bulldog Dwarfism (Chondrodysplasia) in Dexters test from UC Davis - Veterinary Genetics Lab. Dexter cattle have been used by some breeders to downsize Jerseys and it's important that we ensure the Chondro defect isn't carried into Purebred Mini Jerseys. Per UC Davis - VGL, "Inheritance of a form of chondrodysplasia known as bulldog dwarfism has been documented in Dexter cattle since the early 1900s. Among other defects, affected fetuses have severe disproportionate dwarfism, a short vertebral column, and a large head, and are naturally aborted around the seventh month of gestation. The defect is a major problem for Dexter breeders, as one copy of the defective allele produces the short-legged phenotype of Dexter cattle. Thus, selection for this phenotype maintains a lethal allele in high frequency in the population. Breeding carrier animals together will produce 25% affected fetuses." UC Davis - VGL offers the Bulldog/Chondro test for $25 and requires a tail hair root sample. Results are returned in about two weeks.
Order Parentage to verify him to his sire and dam. If their Genetic Markers are on file at UC Davis-VGL, they can match your animal's cattle-specific microsatellite markers to his parents'. This will add your bull's Genetic Markers to the UC Davis - VGL database so his offspring can later be DNA matched to him. Most Mini Jersey bulls used in Artificial Insemination (AI) are on file at UC Davis - VGL. You can find the necessary case numbers in the Purebred Herd Book online profiles. If the sire or dam have a BBR your bull will automatically be verified to them when you order his BBR in the next step.
You can also test for A2, Kappa Casein and Beta Lactoglobulin milk proteins, Polled, and PHA, if you wish. The results can be shown as "verified" in the Purebred Herd Book profiles if the test results are submitted to PMJS.
Order Parentage to verify him to his sire and dam. If their Genetic Markers are on file at UC Davis-VGL, they can match your animal's cattle-specific microsatellite markers to his parents'. This will add your bull's Genetic Markers to the UC Davis - VGL database so his offspring can later be DNA matched to him. Most Mini Jersey bulls used in Artificial Insemination (AI) are on file at UC Davis - VGL. You can find the necessary case numbers in the Purebred Herd Book online profiles. If the sire or dam have a BBR your bull will automatically be verified to them when you order his BBR in the next step.
You can also test for A2, Kappa Casein and Beta Lactoglobulin milk proteins, Polled, and PHA, if you wish. The results can be shown as "verified" in the Purebred Herd Book profiles if the test results are submitted to PMJS.
3. GENOMIC TRAITS
Does he have a Genomic Evaluation Report and BBR85+?
Is his Genomic Inbreeding less than 12.5%?
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The Genomic Evaluation Report is offered through the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA). It allows you to make breeding choices to maintain, enhance, or correct traits in offspring. It's a powerful tool once you learn how to utilize it! First, you'll need to set up an account with AJCA for free. Then, record your cattle with them in order of oldest to youngest. If they have a sire or dam in AJCA be sure to have their registration numbers ready. If the sire or dam aren't in AJCA you can utilize a generic code. The sire is JEUSA00099PJS0104 and will be shown as "UR UNKNOWN JERSEY SIRE {0}" on the pedigree unless DNA testing determines the sire is not a Jersey. Then, the sire will be reported as "UR JX UNIDENTIFIED UNKNOWN BREED SIRE {0}, XXUSA00099EXP0002". The dam is JEUSA00099PJD1002 and will be shown as "UR UNKNOWN JERSEY DAM {0}" on the pedigree.
The Genomic Evaluation Report includes tests specifically for Jerseys from both the CDCB and AJCA. The only way to get the Jersey Index Scores is to order through AJCA. In the example Genomic Evaluation Report, number 7 is the BBR and number 8 is the Genomic Inbreeding Percent. These and many other genomic results are included with the $47 LD (94k) genomics report utilizing hair root DNA samples. The CDCB adds on an additional $100 fee for bulls but PMJS can help with that fee in some cases. Email us at Admin@PurebredMiniJerseys.com with questions or for additional help. |
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Index Traits
Yield Traits
Health and Fitness Traits
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Type Traits
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Health Traits
Additional Information
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4. REGISTRATION
Apply for PMJS Registration
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A true Mini Jersey is 42" or under and BBR94+. These cattle receive a Gold Ribbon Registration in an elegant black cover. If the BBR is within range but the height at 3 years old is 42.25" to 44" a Silver Registration will be issued. A BBR of 94+ but height of 44.25" to 45" at three years old will receive a Bronze Registration. A Silver Mini Jersey is expected to produce Gold calves when bred to a Gold Registered Mini Jersey. Silver is for BBR90 to 93+ and at or below 44". Silver is assumed to be one generation away from Gold. If the BBR is within the range but height at 3 years old is 44.25" to 45" a Bronze Registration will be issued. A Bronze Mini Jersey is thought to be within two generations of Gold. When bred to a Gold the offspring is expected to be Silver. A Bronze is BBR85 to 89+. The height may be up to 45". If the BBR is within range but the height is 45.25" or more the animal will be issued a rose gold Verified Breeding Stock Certification instead of a PMJS Registration. Their offspring may still be eligible for registration with PMJS, if all necessary criteria are met.
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If your bull is BBR85-93 and 45" or less at maturity he can be registered Silver or Bronze. If he's under 3 years old, BBR85+ and on track to be 45" or less at maturity he can be registered Black until he turns three. Silver, Bronze and Black registrations are $10.
