AJCA Registrations were record as the fourth highest in history at 72,507; cows enrolled on performance programs of the AJCA accounted for an all-time high at 109,608; and 60,762 cows were appraised also making it a record-breaking category.

All things considered, it should come as no surprise that the 40 sales reported by Jersey Journal totaled 3,008 animals selling for an average price of $1,717.34, grossing $5,165,750.00, and making 2002 the third highest averaging sale year in history.

Sales included in this summary were those held in the U.S.and submitted to the Jersey Journal as of January 1, 2003. Only sales reported with complete catalogs marked with buyers and prices for all animals are included in the Journal’s annual auction summary. Sales held in Canada with consignments from or purchased by U.S. residents are reported throughout the year by the Journal, however, because if the monetary exchange rate differential, these sales are not included in the year-end analysis.

Since the implementation of Federal Order Multiple Component Pricing starting in 1988, the color of the U.S. dairy industry has changed to shades of brown. Component pricing lead to breed and herd expansion, which continues to play a key role in moving Registered Jerseys. Over the past 15 years, the changing shade of the industry has brought in shades of green for owners of Registered, performance-evaluated Jerseys.

Expanding herd owners have demanded quality large volume purchases through "one-stop-shopping" at public auctions. According to Neal Smith, AJCA Executive Secretary and CEO, the volume sales have "increased the efficiency for the buyer and the opportunities for the seller."

Volume sales are proving to offer something for everyone. Buyers can go to one location, purchase a truckload of list-topping progeny, milk wagons ready to work or even a showring hopeful. And to entice sellers, volume commission incentives put more dollars direct in their pocket.

Jersey Journal defines a volume purchase as 10 lots or more from a single sale to any single buyer. Last year, 12 of the sales reported include one or more volume buyers. Those buyers walked away satisfied and ready to return to Registered Jersey sales with a total of 1,515 lots for a $1,440.97 average accounting for the volume purchases of 2002. Times are changing and so too are the methods of public auction.

With an average of $3,506.45 on 62 lots, the National Heifer Sale ranked second. The sale held on June 22 was the second highest in the series following closely to the sale in Charleston, S.C., two years prior.

Proving that there was something for everyone and everyone wanted something, the Pride of the West Sale finished third on the list. On May 17, in Tillamook, Ore., 40 lots passed through the ring, leading to an average of $3,066.88. The high seller was eighth for the year—Bi-My Freedom Cammy Cavalier—a male, purchased by the Cammy Cavalier syndicate for $11,400.

Coming in fifth, with a $2,536.76 average, was the Pot O’Gold Sale held November 9, during the All American weekend in Louisville, Ky. Thirty-four heifers sold in the largest-volume, single-location sale in the history of the Pot O’Gold production contest to XX spirited young Jersey enthusiasts.

The Meri-Acres Complete Dispersal averaged $2,491.07 on 28 lots, placing it as the sixth highest averaging sale of 2002. In its prime, the herd ranked seventh in the nation for milk and protein and was home to the legendary—1986 National Grand Champion and the first Jersey to surpass 300,000 lbs. milk lifetime—Maplerow Mercury Aron-PTL-P, Excellent-96%. The sale was held in Albion, N.Y., on May 23.

Averaging $2,390.96 on 94 lots, the third Bush River and Treasure Chest Combination Sale made its way onto the list of top sales as well as making it the highest averaging sale in the series. The high seller, Soon Cent Sky, was also the third high seller for the year. Quality consignments crossed the auction block on Labor Day, September 2 in Newberry, S.C., celebrating 30 years of Bush River.

The Ohio Jersey Spring Classic Sale ranked eighth on the list of sales in 2002. Offspring from various show-winners across the United States and Canada led the 84 lots to an average of $2,290.18 on May 27 in Wooster, Ohio.

Not to be left out, the All American Silent Auction also found its way into the list of Top 10 sales in 2002 to join the other sales from the All American weekend in Louisville. The 19 lots comprised of 12 choices and seven embryo packages, averaged $2,289.47.

Rounding out the list is the Top of the World Sale held during the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. The second silent auction format sale ended with 44 lots averaging an even $2,000.

With only three years of the decade under our belt, one cow family has dominated the auction block twice in the annual sale summary. In 2000, two daughters of the World Champion for Fat Production sold as the first and third high seller for $40,000 and $36,000 respectively.

At $30,000, SHF Apache Gordon-ET was the top selling Registered Jersey in 2002. Select Sires and a 57-member Syndicate purchased the young bull from George and Karen Hanford of Sycamore Hill Farm, Marcellus, N.Y. The Australian proven ISAU Fleurieu Apache, JPI +198, son has a Parent Average (PA) of +1,428M, +60F, +50P, and JPI +250 based on the November 2002, Genetic Evaluations and is the first "Goldengirl" son, to enter A.I.

"Gordon’s" maternal sister also sold in the All American Jersey Sale and brought the second high price of the year to rank her as the high selling female of 2002 at $28,000. Selected by David Hogan, Tillamook, Ore., the P9 Rock Ella Paramount, JPI +255, daughter sold with a $5,000 conditional bull contract from Select Sires. Sycamore Hill Farm, added a $10,000 heifer contract to the package. Her dam, "Goldengirl" completed her first lactation of 1-11 305 18,570 4.5% 841 3.2% 600 100DCR and 2,071 lbs. cheddar cheese. The Very Good-86% Rock Maple Brook Mannix, JPI +202, daughter has a Yield Deviation of +5,212M, +212F, +144P. "Golden Gal" carries a PA of +1,378M, +60F, +48P and JPI +278 making her the second ranked "Paramount" daughter for JPI in the breed (11/02).

Two bulls syndicated in the All American Jersey Sale rank fourth and fifth on the list. Selling to Semex USA, Inc., and a syndicate of 36 breeders, for $21,000 was Hillview Paramount Babylon-ET. Back by three generations of Excellent dams, the pedigree stack of "Paramount," "Brook," "Trader," and "Sooner" made for a strong package.

As the Reserve World Fat Production Champion, his grandam, Hillview Trader Babka, E-92%, completed an incredible 365-day lactation at 6-0 of 32,598 6.4% 2,100 3.6% 1,180 DHIR. Still in the Sorenson herd, she recently calved for the fifth time at 7-06, producing 94 and 95 lbs. milk on her first two tests. Sorensons Hillview Jersey Farm, Pine River, Wis., was the consignor.

A bid of $19,000 from Select Sires and a 43 breeder-member syndicate for MVF Barkly Jackal-ET purchased the Long Distance Barber Barkley, JPI +210 son, consigned by Craig A. and Terry Lee Rhein, Pine Grove, Pa.