Kiwi spearheads global Jersey strategy revamp

The World Jersey Cattle Bureau will now trade as World Jerseys and has adopted a new vision: Jerseys feeding the world and sustaining the planet.

Gibb, only the second woman to hold the post, wants to change the perception of World Jersey from just "a travel agency for retired farmers" to the "go to" organisation for all things Jersey, to assist member associations to advocate and promote the breed. A seven-member international group was set up and met via Zoom regularly to develop the new strategy.

"The strategy has a strong emphasis on communication with members and member associations," she told Dairy News.

It covers four focus areas: communication, youth/succession, scientific, and financial.

"With social media and Zoom we have greater ability to reach out and communicate the key messages, of the Jersey breed, amongst our members and beyond."

Gibb believes that connection with the young Jersey farmers of today will ensure that the knowledge, advocacy and appreciation of the bredd will continue to grow.

"They are our future. To do that we need to provide them with the opportunities to connect with other young Jersey farmers globally, to share and learn from each other."

Science plays a vital role in the promotion of the breed and there is plenty out there, she says. To that end it is hoped that the organisation will be able to provide the science translated into several languages for members across the globe.

Naturally these ideas come at a cost and World Jersey will need to be financially viable to succeed in the delivery of the strategy and are currently researching avenues for that financial security, Gibb says.

Gibb believes that Jerseys are the answer to feeding the world whilst sustaining the planet.

"Because they are lighter animal, they are an extremely efficient animal," she says.

"Jerseys regularly produce milksolids equivalent to their body weight, for example a 450kg Jersey can easily produce 450 kgMS, and do it on less feed than other breeds.

"She is more heat tolerant, has less calving issues and greater fertility. Science proves that Jersey is the sustainable breed."

Gibb is no stranger to governance roles in NZ. She served on the Jersey NZ board from 2016 to 2023, including as president from 2016 to 2021.

World Jersey president Alison Gibb, Waikato, wants to change the perception of the global organisation.

She has been attending World Jersey conferences and trips since 2008, serving as treasurer and most recently as Oceania vice-president. Gibb was recently awarded the Cyril Dermer Cup in recognition of outstanding service to the breed and the association at the Jersey NZ annual conference.

Gibb with husband Russell and daughter Natalie Dyson farm at Taupiri in the Waikato. She has been trustee of Dairy Women's Network, a mentor with Primary ITO, president of Friends of Waikato Museum and president of Arts Waikato.

Gibb says she's a firm believer that every organisation must have a sound governance structure and policies in place.

Gibb says unfortunately there can be a lot of emotion in the decision-making process which often cloud the issue.

"Policies and procedures strip the emotion away, allowing you to debate the facts, not the person."

She loves recalling her mother's words when she served at the chair of local board of governors at the secondary school Gibb attended.

"There was a green manual for providing policies and procedures which was consulted often. From that, the phrase - it's not who's right but what's right - was developed. This phrase has always resonated well with me."

For the last eight years, Gibb has run a Governance Development Programme to teach young people the intricacies of governance. "They are our future industry leaders and it is an absolute pleasure to work with them," she says.