The Iowa Jersey Cattle Club (IJCC) is a membership organization of individuals who have an interest in Registered Jerseys.
We gather for an annual meeting in early spring and a picnic during the summer. We'll also see our peers at other Jersey events during the year, including local shows and the Iowa State Fair.
2018 Iowa Jersey Princess Mary Holtz, left, and 2019 Iowa Jersey Princess Meghan Hettinga.
We keep abreast of IJCC activities and happenings on other Jersey dairies through our publication, Iowa Jersey Today, which is published once a year. To view the magazine online, click on the "Publications & Forms" link in the menu above.
We offer two types of memberships -- active and associate memberships -- and junior memberships to young people under 21 years-of-age. Click here to send us an email requesting more information on memberships, or reach out to us through the "Contact" link in the menu above.
Member Laurels
Over the years, many Iowa Jersey breeders have been recognized for their achievements and leadership abilities at the national level.
The late Maurice Core, a former executive secretary of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) hails from Iowa, as do seven past directors. The late G. Joe Lyon, Toledo, has presided over both the AJCA and National All-Jersey Inc. and was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 1987. Lyon Jerseys LLC, owned by Joe and his son, Eric, and nephew, Stuart, received the AJCA Master Breeder award in 2015.
The late Dr. Ronald L. Horst, Ames, received the Award for Meritorious Service from the AJCA and National All-Jersey Inc. in 2019.
Two juniors have topped the National Youth Achievement Contest (Robert Lyon in 1967 and Jerry Hatfieldin 1980). Fifteen have been presented with the AJCA Young Jersey Breeder award through 2019.
The 2017 National Jersey Queen, Lakaya Lyon of Clarence, is from Iowa, as is the winner of both the 2019 Pot O'Gold Production Contest and the 2018 National Jersey Youth Production Contest, Jacob Tatko of Donahue.
Click here for a listing of other Jersey enthusiasts who have served or been recognized by the national Jersey organizations through 2007.
Iowa Jersey breeders have also been honored with state awards, including the Iowa Distinguished Dairyman Award, the Ralph Keeling Leadership Award and the Robert Massee Sportsmanship Award. To learn more about these awards and Jersey recipients, click here.
Mary Holtz, Maquoketa, received the Cedarcrest Farms Scholarship in 2020 and placed second in Division II of the 2019 National Jersey Youth Production Contest with Freeman-Holtz Hired Gun Jaiden.
Meghan Hettinga, Orange City, earned the Paul Jackson Memorial Scholarship in 2020. She was also crowned as the Iowa Dairy Princess in 2020.
Dr. Ronald L. Horst, Ames, was recognized posthumously with the Award for Meritorious Service from the national Jersey organizations in 2019. Read more about Dr. Horst's contributions to the Jersey breed in the June issue of the Jersey Journal.
Jacob Tatko, Donahue, earned laurels with JX Clemson Lemonhead 330 604 {6} placing first in the 2019 Pot O'Gold Production Contest and the 2018 National Jersey Youth Production Contest.
Lakaya Lyon of Clarence, center, was crowned National Jersey Queen in 2017.
Jennifer Zumbach, Coggon, received an AJCA Young Jersey Breeder Award in 2018. She is pictured here with husband, Dave, and children, Karl, Will, Anna and Neal. Click here to read more about the businesses operated by Zumbach and her fellow award recipients.
Bernie Bakker, Alvord, was honored with an AJCA Young Jersey Breeder Award in 2017. He and his wife, Rachel, and children, Olivia, Jordan and Micah, operate Rock Bottom Dairy. Click here to learn more about Bakker and the other award recipients.
Kara Maxwell, Donahue, right, was named second alternate in the National Jersey Queen Contest in 2015.
Lyon Jerseys LLC, owned by Stuart, Joe and Eric Lyon, was named AJCA Master Breeder in 2015. Click here to read more about the business.
Gene "Bambi" Henderson, Manchester, center, was named the 11th recipient of the Max Gordon Recognition Award. Click here to read more about Henderson.
Norman Nabholz, West Union, was named the 10th recipient of the Max Gordon Recognition Award. Click here for an article on Nabholz and the award.
Brian and Heidi Latzky, Hawkeye, were named 2009 Progressive Dairy Producers (herds under 300 cows) by the National Dairy Shrine. Click here for an article in the Jersey Journal.
Dana Metzger, Rock Rapids, was named winner of National Dairy Shrine's Progressive Dairy Producer award (large herds) in 2013. Click here here to read more about his operation.
Maurice Core was named 2009 World Dairy Expo Industry Person of the Year. Click here for a report carried in the Jersey Journal.