Flint F. Richards, Erda, Utah, has been named an Area Representative for the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc., effective January 30, 2013.

Richards will provide on-farm service in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana and Wyoming, and also travel nationwide as an evaluator for the AJCA Linear Type Traits Appraisal program.

"We are excited to add Flint Richards to our staff because of his strong history of involvement at every level of the dairy industry and the Jersey organizations," said Neal Smith, Executive Secretary and CEO. "Flint is a lifelong student of Jersey cattle breeding with decades of successful dairy management and business experience. He is deeply committed to the continued improvement and success of the breed and the USJersey organizations."

A fourth-generation dairyman, Richards attended Utah State University where he worked as a research assistant for geneticist Dr. Robert C. Lamb and earned a B.S. in Animal Science magna cum laude in 1982. For over 30 years, he was an owner and manager of Richards Jersey Farm, which included 300 milking cows at its peak and achieved national recognition for milk and protein production.

Richards served eight years on the governor-appointed Utah Quality Growth Commission and as its chairman from 2009 through 2011. In 2012, he completed 16 years on the Board of Directors of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation and has also served on the Utah Dairy Commission (1997-2001) and the Erda Township Planning Commission (2003-2008).

Flint and his wife, Sandy, have 13 children who are now pursuing their adult careers and located across the U.S.

With Richards' hiring, responsibilities for three current staff members were redefined to improve efficiency in delivering customer service. Advance Service Consultant Kate Rector, who had been covering the northwest states, will now provide on-farm service in California and Nevada. Greg Lavan adds Michigan to his current assignment of Ohio. Director of Field Service Kristin Paul will provide service to current and prospective Jersey owners located in Wisconsin and Illinois.

The American Jersey Cattle Association, organized in 1868, compiles and maintains animal identification and performance data on Jersey cattle and provides services that support genetic improvement and greater profitability through increasing the value of and demand for Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics, and Jersey milk and milk products. For more information on the association's complete line of services for dairy business owners, visit the website at www.USJersey.com or connect at facebook.com/USJersey.

02.14.2013