PMJS Policies

PMJS Policies

Simple.  Concise.  Commonsense.

These Policies aren’t to trip you up, keep your cattle from being registered, or favor any one herd over another.  These are the foundation of the belief that Mini Jerseys can be better than they are today.  If you find something you don’t agree with or understand, PLEASE ask for clarification.  There’s always room to improve and we appreciate the opportunity to do so.  You can email questions or comments to Admin@PurebredMiniJerseys.com.

  • It’s our intention to provide you with a positive experience and EXCELLENT customer service.  Registrations will be published online in the PMJS Herd Book if all the requirements are met and the certificate is mailed.  There will be delays out of our control if proof of BBR, DNA Parent Verification, and BD1/Dexter Bulldog Dwardism/Chondro status aren’t received with the application.
  • Denied applications will be returned and refunded as soon as possible.  Denied applications may request ONE Advisory Board review.  The decision of the Advisory Board on review is final.
  • Cattle applying for registration must conform to the Breed Standard and Policies. Please, contact us if you want help to determine eligibility.
  • Registration requires Breed Based Representation (BBR), DNA Parent Verification, and BD1/Bulldog/Chondro test results be emailed to Admin@PurebredMiniJersys.com.  The animalmust be BBR85+ and BD1 negative for registration.  
  • Starting in 2020, calves are expected to be registered by 90 days old (120 for Lifetime Members) and Parental Verification is required.
  • Bulls are tested with the same test as cows and heifers but include an additional fee by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) of at least $100 in addition to the test cost.  This testing is obtained through the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA).
  • Parental Verification is a requirement as of 2020 but may be waived by the Advisory Board for cattle born prior to 1/1/2020.
  • It is required as of 2020 that all embryo parents and AI sires be Parental Verified prior to collection.
  • PMJS Herd Book registered cattle should never be sold without registration papers.  The small transfer fee ensures PMJS costs are covered and the PMJS Herd Book is maintained for posterity.
  • ​​The Black Registration Certificate is for Mini Jerseys under 3 years old.  Black Registrations expire 90 days after the third birthday. The exception to this is for Lifetime Members who have an additional 30 days, totaling 120 days from the third birthday.  The Black Registration must be returned to PMJS at 3 years old with the Height Verification Form to receive the free permanent registration.  A Gold, Silver, or Bronze Registration will be sent if the adult height is verified to be 45″ or less.  If the adult height is 45.25″ or taller, at the top of the hip, the Black Registration will not be returned and the animal in question will be issued a Verified Breeding Stock Certification. No refunds will be given for cattle that grow over the 45″ maximum height allowed for the PMJS Herd Book by their third birthday.  Their offspring may still be eligible for registration with PMJS if all necessary criteria are met.
  • Breeding for a height of 42″ or less is not a requirement.  It is understood that some people prefer their dairy cow to be slightly taller for ease of hand milking.  Any Jersey 45″ or less is atypically small compared to their modern commercial Jersey counterparts.  The appropriate Silver or Bronze Registration can be issued based on BBR and the 3-year height provided on the Height Verification Form.  
  • A true Mini Jersey is 42″ and below 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 Gold Registered Mini Jerseys.  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 the 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.
  • Extreme linebreeding has negative effects and should be avoided.  Linebreeding that results in a Genomic Inbreeding Percent over 12.5% as reported on the Genomic Evaluation Report of the animal presented for registration is considered in-bred and will not be admitted into the PMJS Herd Book.  It’s our recommendation that a Genomic Iinebreeding of under 6.25% be maintained.  The offspring of in-bred Mini Jerseys may qualify for registration if all requirements, including Genomic Inbreeding Percent, are met.  If there are questions or concerns, contact us.  The Advisory Board will be happy to review the application.  To do further research on this topic we suggest you read this article.
  • BD1+/Bulldog Dwarfism/Chondro carriers are not admitted for registration into the PMJS Herd Book.
  • Bos Indicus cross cattle are not admitted for registration into the PMJS Herd Book.  While this is an excellent cross for hot climates, they are a separate species from Mini Jerseys which are Bos Taurus.  Mini Jerseys are most closely related to full-size, standard Jerseys and it is the intention of PMJS that we strengthen that genetic connection. 
  • Policies may be updated or clarified at any time the Advisory Board deems necessary.  The last revision was July 7, 2022.  The previous revision was on August 17, 2019.