Registrations and membership numbers for the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) were higher at the close of fiscal year 2011-2012 compared to a year ago. Animal registrations increased 6.3 percent, with the total number of animals registered by the Association at 35,831. Adult and junior members were 4 percent higher, with a combined sum of 1,589 adult and junior members.

The breakdown of AGA animal registrations is as follows: Balancer^®registrations at 44.7 percent, purebred or fullblood Gelbvieh at 42.3 percent, and making up the remaining 13 percent were Percentage or Hybrid and Southern Balancer^® registrations.

The largest growth of the Gelbvieh Association was seen in new adult members, with a 14.1 percent increase. The 2011-2012 fiscal year, which runs from October 1 to September 30, closed with 1,066 adult members. Memberships in the American Gelbvieh Junior Association were up 3 percent, for a total of 523 juniors.

Balancer animals are registered hybrid seedstock with documented pedigrees and EPDs. The breed composition of a Balancer animal is 25 to 75 percent Gelbvieh with the balance Angus or Red Angus. Historically, the purebred population represented approximately 80 percent of all AGA registrations. With an increase of Balancer genetics being used in commercial herds in the past few years, the Association’s data shows Balancer registrations now outnumber purebred Gelbvieh registrations.

Any animal, of any breed or cross, may be recorded using the Hybrid Cattle Recording Service with the AGA. The AGA documents the pedigree, breed composition and calculates performance data and provides EPDs. The Southern Balancer is a Gelbvieh heat tolerant composite with at least 25 percent Gelbvieh and 6.25-50 percent Bos indicus breeding.

“The increase in both registrations and memberships exemplifies the expanding impact of Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics on the seedstock and commercial cow-calf sectors of the beef industry,” said Mark Goes, AGA president. “Cattlemen and women are continuing to recognize the benefits of crossbreeding as a valuable tool to increase their profitability in the beef business. Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics make crossbreeding easy.”

Today, approximately 80 percent of the animals registered are black hided animals. Until 1999, more red hided cattle were registered with the AGA than black hided cattle. Of the animals registered with the Association that year, black hided cattle accounted for 49.5 percent of the registrations; red hided animals made up 41.3 percent. Since then, black hided animals have continued to increase their percentage of the total number of animals registered, representing a growing share of the registrations.

To learn more about how Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics make crossbreeding easy visit www.www.gelbvieh.org or call the American Gelbvieh Association at 303-465-2333.

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