The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is making plans to celebrate its 40^th anniversary during their upcoming annual convention on January 5 – 10, in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo. Gelbvieh members will have a full schedule of activities including committee and annual meetings, election of board of directors, a special 40^th anniversary celebration, NWSS activities and will conclude with the national Gelbvieh and Balancer® show. All convention activities and meetings will be held at the AGA headquarters hotel – Red Lion Hotel on Quebec Street in Denver.

            The theme chosen for this year’s event is “The Passion Lives On.” As the traditional 40^th wedding anniversary gift is a ruby and the ruby symbolizes passion, this theme is fitting for the AGA’s celebration.

            “This theme represents the passion and dedication of the AGA, the generosity and commitment of members throughout the past 40 years, and will ignite our passion for the next 40 years and beyond,” commented Al Knapp, American Gelbvieh Association president.

            A special 40^th anniversary celebration and social will be held on Saturday, January 8 starting at 6:30 p.m. During this event, the AGA will recognize the 35 to 40-year members of the association.

            “The American Gelbvieh Association is honored to recognize 48 breeders who have been active members for at least 35 years. These members have served and continue to serve the breed through untiring efforts and dedication,” said Frank Padilla, AGA director of breed promotion.  

In addition, the American Gelbvieh Foundation will unveil a new Gelbvieh print, commissioned by renowned livestock artist C.J. Brown, Lindenwood, Ill. The original print, as well as the first three artist proofs, will be auctioned off as part of the anniversary celebration and social.

The AGA will also honor two outstanding members who have contributed greatly to the AGA – 2011 Member of the Year Bob Hart, of Hart Farm Gelbvieh in Kansas City, Kan., and 2011 Hall of Fame inductee Bill Clark of Post Rock Cattle Company in Barnard, Kan. 

One of the primary purposes of the annual convention is to conduct business and plan for the direction of the AGA and the Gelbvieh breed. The majority of the AGA committee meetings will be held on Friday, January 7. The AGA annual meeting is set for Saturday, January 8 at 3:00 p.m. During the annual meeting, association members will elect the Board of Directors. The following six candidates have been nominated to fill five open positions on the AGA Board of Directors: Ken Flikkema, Bozeman, Mont.; Bob Hart, Kansas City, Kan.; John Huston, New Carlisle, Ohio; David Martin, Judsonia, Ark.; Butch Stucky, Salina, Kan.; and Grant Thayer, Ramah, Colo. 

The Saturday evening social will culminate with the Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Bull Futurity “Bulls in the Ballroom” event. The champion Gelbvieh futurity bull will be selected from the three finalists, with the initial futurity voting taking place earlier that day, starting at 10:00 a.m. in the Stadium Arena at the NWSS.

New this year is the People’s Choice Balancer Bull Futurity. The initial voting and final selection of the champion Balancer futurity bull will also be held on Saturday, January 8 at 10:00 a.m. in the NWSS Stadium Arena.

The 2011 National Gelbvieh Sale will be held on Sunday, January 9 at 1:00 p.m. at the Livestock Center at the NWSS. The sale features 25 elite Gelbvieh and Balancer lots including open heifers, bred heifers, herd sire prospects, flush opportunities, and pick of the herds.

Additional NWSS activities include several national shows. The national junior Gelbvieh show will be held on January 8 starting at 7:30 a.m. in the Stadium Arena with Doug Satree, Montague, Texas slated to judge. The national pen bull show is set for Sunday, January 9 at 8:00 a.m., judged by Bob Tiedman, North Platte, Neb. Gelbvieh activities conclude with the national Gelbvieh and Balancer Ring of Gold show on Monday, January 10 at 8:00 a.m. and evaluated by Chris Mullinix, El Dorado, Kan.

For more information or convention registration for the American Gelbvieh Association annual convention and 40^th anniversary celebration, or the Gelbvieh activities during the National Western Stock Show, please visit www.www.gelbvieh.org or call 303-465-2333.