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.org.

• We intend 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, BD1/Dexter Bulldog Dwardism/Chondro status, or Genomic Inbreeding % isn’t received with the application.
• Membership is required to apply for registration or Breeding Stock Certification.
• Denied applications will be returned and refunded as soon as possible.  Denied applications may request ONE Board of Directors review.  The decision of the 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, BD1/Bulldog/Chondro, and Genomic Inbreeding %, which can be submitted in the Registration Form once the application fee is paid.  The animal must be BBR85+, BD1 negative, and have a Genomic Inbreeding below 12.5% for registration. 
• Starting 1/1/2020, Parental Verification is required for calves born after that date.
• 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 genomic testing is obtained through the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA).
• Parental Verification is a requirement as of 2020, but may be waived by the Board of Directors for cattle born prior to 1/1/2020.
• As of 2020, it is required that all embryo parents and AI sires be Parentally verified prior to ET collection.
• PMJS Herd Book registered cattle should never be sold without their registration papers.  The small transfer fee ensures your cattle maintain thier value, PMJS costs for this service 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, cows 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 requirements 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 on an elegant black presentation sheet.  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.
• Silver is assumed to be one generation away from Gold.  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″.  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 inbred and will not be admitted into the PMJS Herd Book.  We recommend that a Genomic Inbreeding of under 6.25% be maintained.  The offspring of inbred Mini Jerseys may qualify for registration if all requirements, including Genomic Inbreeding Percent, are met.  If there are questions or concerns, contact us.  The Board of Directors 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 Board deems necessary.  The last revision was July 7, 2022.  The previous revision was on August 17, 2019.