American Gelbvieh Association Creates Commercial, Seedstock Producer Awards

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In an effort to recognize the outstanding commercial and seedstock producers involved in the Gelbvieh breed, the American Gelbvieh Association has created the Outstanding Commercial Producer Award and the Outstanding Seedstock Producer Award. Both awards are based off the Beef Improvement Federation awards that are presented annually at the BIF conference.

The AGA will recognize one Outstanding Commercial Producer and one Outstanding Seedstock Producer annually during the Gelbvieh activities at the National Western Stock Show. The recipients of the AGA awards will then be considered for the Association’s nominations for the BIF awards that year.

Plans are underway to present the first of these awards at the 2013 NWSS. State associations are asked to nominate one commercial producer and one seedstock producer they feel is deserving of this recognition. Applications are due December 1.

Applications for the Outstanding Commercial Producer Award and the Outstanding Seedstock Producer Awards can be found at www.www.gelbvieh.org under the Member Programs page under the Membership tab. Applications may also be requested by contacting Jennifer Scharpe, AGA director of communications, at jennifers@gelbvieh.org or 303-465-2333. For questions or more information about the awards, contact Frank Padilla, AGA director of breed promotion at frankp@gelbvieh.org or 303-465-2333.

Increase Efficiencies, Profits with Gelbvieh Crossbreeding

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Cow-calf producers crossbreed to increase efficiencies and profits. To see greater maternal benefits in a crossbreeding system, producers are choosing Gelbvieh or Balancer® genetics to use on commercial cows. Cattlemen and feeders recognize the value of crossbred calves as they exhibit heterosis (hybrid vigor) and combine the strengths of the parent breeds.

Heterosis refers to the superiority in performance of the crossbred animal compared to the average of the straight bred parents. Heterosis is typically reported in percentage improvement in the trait of interest. Heterosis results from the increase in the heterozygosity of a crossbred animal’s genetic makeup. Heterozygosity refers to a state where an animal has two different forms of a gene.

The advantages of crossbreeding have not changed. A crossbreeding program offers direct advantages including increased cow productivity and longevity as well as better calf survivability and performance. Producers are finding that a structured crossbreeding system helps them achieve the goals of increasing productivity and reducing production costs.

In doing the math, a planned crossbreeding program adds more than $500 over the life of a crossbred cow. That exceeds $50 per year. With a smaller mature cow size, Gelbvieh females provide genetics for exceptional milk production and extra pounds in calves. Heterosis results in increases in lifetime productivity of approximately one calf and 600 pounds of calf weaning weight over the lifetime of the cow.

Sustained female reproduction in the cow herd directly impacts profitability. The costs associated with development or purchase of replacement females is substantial. Older cows are more productive and will wean heavier calves. Gelbvieh females are proven to stay in the herd longer through stayability EPDs. In a Colorado State University study, the stayability of a five year old Gelbvieh female is 68 percent compared to 52 percent in the Simmental and 58 percent in the Red Angus females.

Cow-calf producers will benefit from the variety of traits Gelbvieh-sired females offer over other major beef breeds. The most recent Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) data study showed Gelbvieh-sired calves with the lowest birth weight of the four major Continental breeds. These calves will also reach puberty at an earlier age, 329 days on average; and produced the most pounds of maternal milk of the seven major beef breeds.

The advantage of a crossbred calf is an increase in calf livability and an increase in growth rate. Calves grow to produce their own offspring, passing on prime genetic traits for generations. MARC research shows that crossbred females are 30 percent more productive over their lifetimes due to increased fertility, calf survivability, increased weaning weights and cow longevity. Research shows the average crossbred female remains in the herd about two years longer than straight bred cows.

“By using the maternal power of a Gelbvieh or Balancer in a crossbreeding program, those females produced will tip the scales with hybrid vigor by efficiently weaning more pounds of calf. Through aggressive selection pressure by Gelbvieh breeders, the breed has improved female stayability, increased calving ease, added carcass weight, while producing more pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed. Sell more pounds of calf at weaning, add value to your replacement females and improve your bottom line with Gelbvieh,” said the American Gelbvieh Association’s Frank Padilla.

The American Gelbvieh Association offers many services to assist in maximizing return on commercial breeder’s investment in Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls and replacement females. Their knowledgeable field staff is ready to assist in all marketing needs.

For cattlemen looking to market bulls, replacement females or feeder cattle, check out the AGA’s free Exchange service, including: Bull Listings, Female Listings, and Feeder Calf Listings. Visit www.www.gelbvieh.org/exchange.html to view current postings or to post a new listing.

Cow-calf producers who use Gelbvieh genetics are eligible to add value to females by marketing them through the Maternal Edge commercial female sales. Please visit www.maternaledge.com for more information.

Brand your Gelbvieh-influenced feeder calves with SmartCross® ear tags. This ear tag tells the buyer he is getting quality and predictability. For more information on SmartCross or any other service, contact the AGA office for more information at 303-465-2333.

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American Gelbvieh Juniors Elect Leadership

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The American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) held their annual meeting during the 2012 AGJA Black and Gold Classic in Chillicothe, Mo. AGJA members voted to fill four two-year positions with the AGJA Board of Directors for the 2012-2013 term.

Newly elected directors include Nicole Mattison, the daughter of Scott and Sonia Mattison, Lamberton, Minn., Michael Ring, the nephew of Skylar and Annette Martin, Oregon, Ill., and Justin Vehige, the son of Tom and Stacy Vehige, Bonnets Mill, Mo.

Re-elected to a second term on the board was Van Tucker of Portis, Kan., the son of Gregg and Sandi Tucker.

Following the annual meeting, the AGJA Board selected officers for the 2012-2013 term. Presiding will be Dustin Aherin, Phillipsburg, Kan., and serving as vice president is Grace Hammer of Wallace, Kan. Aherin is the son of Dennis and Joyce Aherin. Hammer is the daughter of Lyle and Christy Hammer.

Selected as vice president of leadership development is Garrett Teeter, the son of Walter and Lee Teeter, Mt. Ulla, N.C. Appointed to the secretary position is Van Tucker. Serving as treasurer is Seth Arp of Arlington, Wisc. Arp is the son of Steve and Betty Arp. Cole Buffo, son of Steve Buffo and Anna Buffo of Lansing, Kan., will fill the role of ex-officio. Christian Hojer, the son of Allen and Pam Hojer of Lake Preston, S.D., will continue his term as a director.

The American Gelbvieh Junior Association serves more than 500 members coast to coast, providing leadership opportunities, scholarships and competition. For more information about AGJA, Gelbvieh or AGA services, visit www.www.gelbvieh.org or call 303-465-2333.

Photo caption: These individuals were elected to serve on the American Gelbvieh Junior Association Board of Directors during the junior association’s annual meeting at the 2012 AGJA Black and Gold Classic: (seated from L to R) President Dustin Aherin, Phillipsburg, Kan.; Vice President Grace Hammer, Wallace, Kan.; Vice President of Leadership Garrett Teeter, Mt. Ulla, N.C.; Secretary Van Tucker, Portis, Kan., Treasurer Seth Arp, Arlington, Wisc.; (standing from L to R): Justin Vehige, Bonnets Mill, Mo., Nicole Mattison, Lamberton, Minn., Michael Ring, Oregon, Ill., Christian Hojer, Lake Preston, S.D., and Ex-Officio Cole Buffo, Lansing, Kan.