Jeanette Rankin Inducted into Gelbvieh Hall of Fame

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Photo caption: Jeanette Rankin of Kicking Horse Ranch in Oilmont, Mont., was a 2014 American Gelbvieh Association Hall of Fame inductee.

Jeanette Rankin of Kicking Horse Ranch in Oilmont, Mont., was one of two inductees into the American Gelbvieh Association Hall of Fame for 2014. The induction took place on Saturday, January 11 during the AGA’s Impacting the Beef Business: It Starts with Membership Annual Convention. The second inductee was Eldon and Kathy Starr of Stapleton, Neb.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize individuals for their lasting contribution to the growth and development of the Gelbvieh breed. That contribution is through the influence of the cattle they have bred, their breed promotion efforts, and the leadership provided to the AGA.

Kicking Horse Ranch has been raising Gelbvieh cattle on their north central Montana ranch since 1973, and they have been lifetime members of the American Gelbvieh Association since 1974. The ranch is located in the Sweet Grass Hills just a few miles from the Canadian border, making it ideal conditions for a cow-calf operation. The herd currently consists of about 60 registered Gelbvieh cows, and at one point was well over 100 registered females.

Rankin was instrumental in the growth and development of the Gelbvieh breed in the United States. During the 1970s and 80s, Jeanette visited Canada and Germany to evaluate Gelbvieh fullblood animals. The Gelbvieh breed originated in Germany and was imported to the United States primarily through Canada.

Naturally a horned breed, Kicking Horse Ranch bred one of the first polled Gelbvieh bulls, KHR Polled Hockeye 07T. He is a polled, red, purebred Gelbvieh bull born in 1985. ABS purchased the bull and made him part of his sire line-up. Today, there are more than 2,400 progeny of KHR Polled Hockeye 07T in the Gelbvieh herdbook, which further demonstrates this bull’s genetic influence on the Gelbvieh breed.

Kicking Horse Ranch held their first production sale in 1983, and they have produced many nationally recognized bulls and females. The 2014 sale will be held March 20 at Western Livestock Auction in Great Falls, Mont. Kicking Horse Ranch has also marketed bulls through the Midland Bull Test, with their bulls earning top performance honors in the test.

Rankin has also been active in the Montana Gelbvieh Association. She has served on their Board of Directors and has assisted with their newsletter for many years.

Nominated for this honor by the Montana Gelbvieh Association, the American Gelbvieh Association recognizes Jeanette Rankin as one of its 2014 Hall of Fame inductees. To watch Jeanette’s Hall of Fame presentation video, visit www.www.gelbvieh.org.

XA Cattle Named AGA Outstanding Commercial Producer

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Photo caption: The 2014 American Gelbvieh Association Outstanding Commercial Producer award was awarded to XA Cattle, Levi, Bill and Marie Farr (pictured left to right) of Moorefield, Neb.

In an effort to recognize outstanding commercial producers involved in the Gelbvieh breed, the American Gelbvieh Association has created the Outstanding Commercial Producer award.  The award is based off the Beef Improvement Federation award that is presented annually at the BIF conference. The AGA recognized one outstanding commercial producer during the Gelbvieh activities at the National Western Stock Show.

State associations were asked to nominate one commercial producer from their respective states they feel deserving of this recognition.

The 2014 American Gelbvieh Association Outstanding Commercial Producer Award was presented to XA Cattle, Bill, Marie and Levi Farr. XA Cattle is located in south central Lincoln County near Moorefield, Nebraska.

XA Cattle consists of 700 Balancer® cows and farms 2,000 acres of dry and irrigated corn, soybeans, and wheat. The heifers start calving in February and the cows the end of March. In November cattle are pulled out of the hills and the calves are weaned. The calves are backgrounded then sold the end of February or the first week of March weighing 875 pounds. XA consistently sells at the top of the market with feeder cattle going to repeat buyers.

Heifer replacements are selected and developed at the ranch for breeding. A strong emphasis is placed on reproduction with cows being restricted and selected to calve in a short calving season. This selection pressure has paid off as 85 percent of the cow herd calves in the first 45 days of the calving season.

The American Gelbvieh Association congratulates XA Cattle, Bill, Marie and Levi Farr for being the 2014 American Gelbvieh Association commercial producer award winner. They were nominated by GAIN, the Gelbvieh Association In Nebraska for this award.

Gelbvieh Association Inducts Nebraska Couple into Hall of Fame

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Photo caption: Kathy and Eldon Starr of Cedar Top Ranch and Bull Barn Genetics in Stapleton, Neb., were inducted into the American Gelbvieh Association Hall of Fame on January 11, 2014.

Eldon and Kathy Starr of Stapleton, Neb., were one of two inductees into the American Gelbvieh Association Hall of Fame for 2014. The induction took place on Saturday, January 11 during the AGA’s Impacting the Beef Business: It Starts with Membership Annual Convention. The second inductee was Jeanette Rankin of Oilmont, Mont.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize individuals for their lasting contribution to the growth and development of the Gelbvieh breed. That contribution is through the influence of the cattle they have bred, their breed promotion efforts, and the leadership provided to the AGA.

Eldon and Kathy, along with their family, own and operate Cedar Top Ranch and Bull Barn Genetics. Cedar Top Ranch is a large scale seedstock and commercial cow-calf operation located in the Nebraska Sandhills. Approximately one-third of the herd is registered Gelbvieh, Balancer®, Angus and Red Angus cows. The other two-thirds are Gelbvieh-influenced commercial cows. The ranch has been in business since 1938.

Cedar Top Ranch started in the Hereford business. In the early 1970s, Gelbvieh genetics were incorporated and since then the herd has developed to have a Gelbvieh-influenced based. In 1974, Cedar Top Ranch joined the American Gelbvieh Association, of which they are lifetime members.

The Starrs appreciated the maternal traits of the Gelbvieh breed including milking ability, growth, fertility and docility. Their commercial and registered cattle are all managed together, in the tough, unforgiving country of the Nebraska Sandhills. When speaking about the Cedar Top Ranch business, Scott Starr, Eldon and Kathy’s son states, “In the end, it is about selling grass. We need to identify those cattle that convert grass to pounds; that is what makes a guy money! Our job is to put together cattle with the genetics and conformation to get the job done.”

A production year on the ranch begins with calving in May and June. All cows are artificially inseminated once, synchronizing 500 cows a week. After grazing for the summer, the calves are weaned in November, and then run out with just range and cake. Steers and bulls are separated to graze as yearlings. For the last ten years, Cedar Top Ranch has topped the feeder calf market of Superior Livestock, selling yearlings weighing 850 to 950 pounds. Bulls are sold in their annual production sale in Burwell, Neb. This year they will sell 175 coming two-year-old bulls on February 18, 2014.

Bull Barn Genetics is an AI semen company with the most powerful, complete and comprehensive list of Angus, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Club Calf, Shorthorn, and Simmental bulls used in the AI industry. Kathy explains that Eldon started Bull Barn Genetics because, “He vowed that he would help the common man breed good cattle and no salesman was ever going to tell somebody that a bull was good when he wasn’t.” Gelbvieh Bull Barn was started when Eldon purchased the entire Gelbvieh semen inventory of Carnation Genetics, who was the first marketer of Gelbvieh semen in the United States.

The list of accolades for Eldon and Kathy could go on. Nominated for this honor by the Gelbvieh Association in Nebraska, the American Gelbvieh Association recognizes Eldon and Kathy Starr as one of its 2014 Hall of Fame inductees. To watch the Starrs’ Hall of Fame presentation video, visit www.www.gelbvieh.org.

National Gelbvieh Show at NWSS Sets Recent Records

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The 2014 National Gelbvieh and Balancer® Show held at the National Western Stock Show set a recent record of number of head shown. A total of 251 animals were exhibited, which exceeds shows held in recent years by more than 50 animals.

The show was held on Monday, January 13 in the Stadium Arena at the NWSS in Denver, Colo. Judge Brandon Callis of Yukon, Okla., evaluated the 73 Gelbvieh females, 51 Gelbvieh bulls, 86 Balancer females and 41 Balancer bulls.

Taking home the grand champion Gelbvieh female honors was Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind., with GGGE 3G Cowgirl Zesta 204Z. This January 14, 2012 heifer was sired by GGGE 3G Time Machine 758T ET, and was first named champion junior heifer.

The reserve champion Gelbvieh female came out of the same junior heifer division. Tanner Aherin, Phillipsburg, Kan., owns the reserve female, BAG Miss Passion 30Z, a February 18, 2012 daughter of BEA Passion 001X ET.

Capping off its triple crown victory, GGGE 3G Zip Line 266Z was named the grand champion Gelbvieh bull at the NWSS. The bull had been previously named grand champion at both the American Royal and the NAILE. He is an April 18, 2012 son of GGGE 3G Excellence 063X. Emily Griffiths and Overmiller Gelbvieh of Smith Center, Kan., own the bull.

BCFG Butlers Hillbilly Hero 71Z was named the reserve champion Gelbvieh bull. Exhibited by Butler Creek Farms, Milton, Tenn., this bull is a December 8, 2012 son of JDPD Astro 407S and was first named champion senior bull calf.

In the Balancer division, grand champion Balancer female was PLA Miss Zelda 20Z, exhibited by Garrett Teeter, Mt. Ulla, N.C. She is a February 12, 2012 daughter of S A V Pioneer 7301, and was first named champion junior heifer.

The reserve champion Balancer female came out of the senior heifer calf division. BCFG Butlers Ms. Oak 926Z is an October 21, 2012 daughter of BCFG Butlers Red Oak 908W. She was also exhibited by Butler Creek Farms.

The grand champion Balancer bull was XXB Insidious 612Y exhibited by Boehler Gelbviehs, Orleans, Neb. This bull is a two-time champion as he also won champion Balancer bull honors in 2013. This January 24, 2011 son of Silveiras Style 9303 came out of the senior bull division.

GGGE 3G EZ Money 209Z was the reserve champion Balancer bull. Owned by Emily Griffiths and Overmiller Gelbvieh, the bull was born January 16, 2012 and sired by DUFF Basic Instinct 6501. He was first named champion junior bull.

In the group classes, Emily Griffiths was a prominent champion. She claimed champion produce of dam with GGGE 3G Tea Party 767T, and reserve with GGGE 3G Cowgirl Pebbles 430P. A bull owned by Griffiths and Register Farms of N.C., GGGE 3G Time Machine 758T, was the sire of the champion get of sire. In addition, Griffiths and Overmiller Gelbvieh teamed up to exhibit the best four head.

At the end of the day, Griffiths was named premier breeder and premier exhibitor.

For video coverage of the show, visit Gelbvieh.org.

Calving season – Time to evaluate udder soundness

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Cow-calf producers should consider udder soundness as an economically relevant trait translating to the life or death of a newborn calf. The simple process of taking udder scores will improve overall udder soundness in your cow herd.

For the beef cow, udder quality and soundness usually get lumped in a category called convenience traits, along with others including temperament and feed and leg soundness. While all of these traits have the potential for economic impact to a cow’s productivity, at calving time poor udder quality may translate to life and death of a newborn calf.

Calves that have a difficult time nursing and do not receive adequate colostrum may, at worse, not survive and at best have a higher incidence of scours and decreased immunity levels. Ultimately performance is affected which translates into reduced pounds at weaning and reduced profitability of the cow overall. The impact on performance, on top of the labor costs that can be occurred managing those cows that need help getting a calf to nurse should be considered as additional incentive to include this process in your calving rituals.

Udder scoring at calving is a tool that, while more widespread in the dairy industry, has been shown to improve udder quality in beef females. Research has shown that udder quality is moderately heritable. Which means that over time improvement can be made with selection for this trait.

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) adopted an udder scoring system which provides a tool for both commercial and seedstock producers to score both teat size and suspension on a scale of 1 – 9 with a 9 being ideal. Scoring cows within 24-48 hours of calving is the recommended time for evaluating these females.

Where do the most problems commonly lie? Canadian research shows that cows with more desirable teat scores had calves that nursed sooner after birth. Larger teat circumference usually caused more problems than teat length. Short to medium length teats are preferred over long teats. Oversized teats that did not get milked out had a higher incidence of mastitis.

Udder suspension is equally important to udder soundness. Udders that are well attached are less susceptible to injury than the very pendulous poorly attached udders. As well, udders with poor suspension are more susceptible to contamination from fecal material or mud.

Pigmentation is not a factor in the udder scoring system, however should be a consideration for cow-calf producers. A darker pigmented udder will be protected from sunburn or reflection of sunlight from snow.

One other tool that can be used in sire selection for the udder soundness component is the American Gelbvieh Association’s stayability EPD. While many factors are included in this EPD, udder soundness can be attributed to a female’s ability to still be in the herd at age six. Sires with higher stayability can be assumed to have average or better udder quality.

It can be said that cows with poor udders are definitely not convenient when it comes to calving in the cold days of late January and February. As such an evaluation of udder soundness throughout the cow herd may prove to be a sound practice to help insure less calving and calf survival challenges in the future.

Gelbvieh Breeders Recognized for Superior Females

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Each fall the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) honors females in the herdbook that display maternal superiority through the Dam of Merit and Dam of Distinction program. The AGA praises those members who continually place emphasis on the maternal traits of Gelbvieh and Balancer® genetics in their herd and produce these outstanding females.

Of the 40,132 active cows in the AGA herdbook, only 5.0 percent qualified for the Dam of Merit award. Only 1.0 percent of the cows within the herdbook qualified for the elite Dam of Distinction honor. All three of these numbers are up from only a year ago, when the AGA saw 39,516 active cows, 3.6 percent qualifying for Dam of Merit and 0.8 percent for Dam of Distinction.

"Maternal traits are where the Gelbvieh breed really excels. Encouraging our members to continue putting selection pressure on these traits will put the breed in an even better position for impacting the beef industry," says Susan Willmon, American Gelbvieh Association's director of breed improvement.

The Dam of Merit and Dam of Distinction recognition program was started in 1991 to honor superior females within the breed. Both of these honor females based on data that is submitted to the AGA. The females must meet the following criteria to qualify for this recognition: early puberty and conception, regular calving intervals, and above-average weaning weights on their calves. Dams of Merit must have produced at least three calves in addition to meeting these criteria. Dams of Distinction must have produced eight calves or more and exhibit superior, long-term productivity.

Gelbvieh and Balancer females offer a maternal advantage through increased longevity, added fertility, and more pounds of calve weaned per cow exposed. With maternal productivity playing a major role in profitable beef production, Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle are a smart choice for commercial cattlemen, particularly for the advantages of crossbreeding. Using Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics in a crossbreeding program can add as much as $1,000 profit over the lifetime of a crossbred cow.

The following lists the top ten breeders of Dams of Merit and Dams of Distinction:

1. Judd Ranch, Inc., Pomona, Kan.
2. Bar T Bar Ranch, Inc., Winslow, Ariz.
3. Lazy TV Ranch, Selby, S.D.
4. Taubenheim Gelbvieh, Amherst, Neb.
5. Flying H Genetics, Arapahoe, Neb.
6. Schroeder, Inc., Sioux Falls, S.D.
7. Wehri Gelbvieh, Hebron, N.D.
8. Post Rock Cattle Co., Barnard, Kan.
9. Chimney Butte Ranch, Mandan, N.D.
10. Diamond D Gelbvieh, Mandan, N.D.

The listing of the top ten owners of Dams of Merit and Dams of Distinction:

1. Judd Ranch, Inc., Pomona, Kan.
2. Bar T Bar Ranch, Inc., Winslow, Ariz.
3. Lazy TV Ranch, Selby, S.D.
4. Taubenheim Gelbvieh, Amherst, Neb.
5. Flying H Genetics, Arapahoe, Neb.
6. Schroeder, Inc., Sioux Falls, S.D.
7. Wehri Gelbvieh, Hebron, N.D.
8. Diamond D Gelbvieh, Mandan, N.D.
9. Chimney Butte Ranch, Mandan, N.D.
10. Sandy Knoll Farm, Saint John, Kan.

For more information on the maternal benefits of Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle visit www.www.gelbvieh.org or call 303-465-2333.

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Capture Value in Marketing Feeder Calves

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As the time for marketing feeder calves approaches there are several things to consider when getting ready to sell these calves to ensure the most value is received for them.

Overall health of the animals is very important and documented health protocols are important to the buyer who is purchasing the feeder cattle.

"Documented vaccination protocols deliver buyer confidence in the product they are buying," says Clint Berry, Allied Genetic Resources, Superior Livestock, when talking about profit drivers from a seller's standpoint.

He also emphasizes that trusted genetics are important for feeder cattle buyers. Having a trusted and reputable seedstock provider is critical to any commercial operation. The genetics that are being purchased from these seedstock producers should be proven in values such as carcass merit, ability to gain and grade.

Berry also states, "Reputation of your seedstock provider plays in the reputation of you marketing feeder cattle."

When placed in a feed yard, it is essential that cattle are healthy, grow quickly and grade well. When marketing feeder cattle it is important that these things are emphasized and appealing to buyers.

"Most of the grids are driven by grade, more than they are other factors and quality grade matters a lot in terms of getting premiums on the grid," says Tom Brink, former senior vice president and chief risk officer of JBS-Five Rivers Cattle Company.

According to Dan Dorn of Decatur County Feed Yard, the major profit drivers of a feed yard are feed efficiency, carcass merit and carcass weight. Regardless of who is going to be feeding out the calves, downstream value should be created, starting with quality cow herd genetics that incorporate these traits. Decatur County Feed Yard has seen up to a $300 difference in feeder value for cattle that have more profitable genetics.

Once buyers see how calves perform year after year they will be more aggressive in buying the calves, if they performed well. Berry describes that through building a reputation in the marketplace, and developing cattle that consistently perform, buyers will be enticed to compete for these calves and push them to the top of the market or higher.

"Heterosis is key," says Dorn, "You see so much better performance on the cattle, you see better grade typically, more muscle, feed efficiency is better, and so it hits all of the profit drivers."

Heterosis is the increased performance of the offspring when crossing two different breeds. This offers several advantages in a commercial setting, such as superiority in traits important to cattle feeding profitability, when compared to purebred animals. These crossbred cattle drive profit through efficiency, grade and gain. This value can easily be added by using Gelbvieh or Balancer® genetics in a crossbreeding system.

Participating in programs such as source verified and natural can also help capture a premium when selling feeder calves.

"Do as many of the programs as you feel you can and make it work. The more you do the more you are going to get out them," says Jerry Warren, Superior Livestock Representative. "Programs help identify the value of cattle," which in the end is how profit is made.  

Warren also suggests joining together with neighbors to put together a load of cattle that are similar in size and age. This can help to make feeder calves more appealing to a larger number of buyers.

Visit the American Gelbvieh Association website at www.www.gelbvieh.org to see how crossbreeding can work for you and for more information about marketing feeder calves, or contact AGA representative Frank Padilla at 303-465-2333.

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Gelbvieh Juniors Show in Eastern Regional

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Note to editors: High-resolution press photos of all the winners are available by contacting Jennifer Scharpe, American Gelbvieh Association director of communications at jennifers@gelbvieh.org or 303-465-2333.

The American Gelbvieh Junior Association held their Eastern Regional show May 23-25, 2014 in Bardstown, Ky. The show featured 37 Gelbvieh and Balancer® bulls and females exhibited by 20 junior members from Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina and South Carolina. John Chism from Winchester, Ky., evaluated the 19 Gelbvieh females, three Gelbvieh bulls, 14 Balancer females and one Balancer bull.

Robert Reynolds of Crab Orchard, Ky., exhibited the grand champion Gelbvieh female and the grand champion bred and owned Gelbvieh female. RRYN Bee Licks Ms Allison is a November 27, 2012 female sired by RTRT Solution. She first claimed the Gelbvieh senior female division.

Justin Teeter, Mt. Ulla, N.C., showed the reserve champion Gelbvieh female. BCFG QVS Butlers Kali 281Z ET is a September 11, 2012 heifer sired by SLC Freedom 178F ET. This heifer was also from the senior female division and was first name reserve in the division.

The reserve champion bred and owned Gelbvieh female was exhibited by Connor Durham, Piedmont, S.C. HSCF Raeann 229Z is a November 2, 2012 heifer sired by TAU Mr Krugerrand 70M 130P, another heifer from the senior female division.

The grand champion bred and owned Gelbvieh bull was shown by Lexie Lee, Bishop, Ga. LEXL Leroy is an October 9, 2013 bull sired by VER Front & Center 111X ET.

Tyler Bitzer, Shelbyville, Ky., exhibited the reserve champion bred and owned Gelbvieh bull. CTTK Scooby Doo is an October 25, 2013 son of KBIT Bon Jovi.

In the Balancer show, the grand champion Balancer female was GHGF Ashley 31A , exhibited by Ryan Menius, Mt. Ulla, N.C. She is an April 1, 2013 heifer sired by FMGF Blue's Impact 001X, and was first named champion spring yearling heifer.

Anna Ring, Oregon, Ill., exhibited the reserve champion Balancer female. SKYS Eleanor 3008A is a January 5, 2013 heifer sired by Kesslers Frontman R001. She first claimed the winter yearling heifer division.

The grand champion bred and owned Balancer female was exhibited by Cody Moore, Fountain Run, Ky. HILC Ms Lady Bug is a March 14, 2013 daughter of RID R Collateral 2R. This heifer was first named spring yearling heifer champion bred and owned.

The reserve champion bred and owned Balancer female was SKYM Lady A 3075A exhibited by Michael Ring, Oregon, Ill. She is a March 14, 2013 daughter of TAU Gunslinger 19U, who also came out of the spring yearling heifer division.

The lone entry in the bred and owned Balancer bull show was DPFG BAR GP La 519A. Grant Powell, Palmyra, Mo., exhibited this champion bull who is a February 7, 2013 son of PALS A & S King Rob SJ8.

The American Gelbvieh Junior Association consists of 500 members from across the United States. For more information about the AGJA, contact Carrie Tilghman, American Gelbvieh Association junior activities coordinator at carriet@gelbvieh.or or simply visit www.www.gelbvieh.org.

Judd Ranch 36th Gelbvieh, Balancer® and Red Angus Bull Sale

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Pomona, Kan.
Sale manager: Cattlemen’s Connection
Reported by: Roger Gatz

43           Black Polled Purebred Fall Yearlings         $7,291
62           Red Polled Purebred Fall Yearlings           $5,927
40           Black Polled Balancer Fall Yearlings           $7,293
9              Red Polled Balancer Fall Yearlings             $6,306
4              Purebred Red Angus Fall Yearlings           $5,563
28           Black Polled Purebred Spring Yearlings   $5,884
25           Red Polled Purebred Spring Yearlings     $5,980
29           Black Polled Balancer Spring Yearlings     $6,414
9              Red Polled Balancer Spring Yearlings       $4,361
18           Purebred Red Angus Spring Yearlings     $4,389
267         Total Bulls Averaged                                       $6,255

Judd Ranch’s 36th Gelbvieh, Balancer® and Red Angus Bull Sale was a huge success considering it was one of the coldest days on record for the sale. A record 345 registered bidders braved the subzero wind chill with 267 bulls selling into 19 states and Canada.

Lot 197 topped the sale at $16,000. Twenty-eight of the 30 top-selling bulls all sold to commercial bull buyers.

Flying H Genetics Roughage N’ Ready Bull Sale

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Arapahoe, Neb.
Reported by: Dick Helms

Black Balancer® Bulls      $5,878
Fusion Bulls        $5,813
Red Balancer Bulls           $5,304
Black Gelbvieh Bulls        $5,300
Black SimAngus Bulls      $5,126
94 Bulls Averaged            $5,557

Gelbvieh Females            $7,750
Balancer Females             $5,000
SmartCross® Breds/Pairs              $2,500
SmartCross Replacement Heifers             $1,500

On March 1, 2014, the Flying H Genetics 34th annual sale was the coldest ever held, with temperatures of seven degrees, winds at 30 mph and light snow. But it was hot inside the sale facility where new and repeat customers from eight states fought to own some of the best industry relevant genetics available.

Topping the sale was Lot 2, a homozygous black, homozygous polled Balancer® son of Schiefelbein Effective. This balanced genetic package was a 3-star heifer bull and sold to longtime Colorado customers, Bledsoe Livestock, for $14,000. 

Lot 21 was valued at $9,000 by Kunkel Ranch who always buys one of the top bulls and their calf sales show it. He was sired by Flying H Genetics’ senior Balancer herd sire, Flying H Professor 22W. His genetics placed him in the top 25 percent of the breed across the board.

The second high selling group were the Fusion bulls, a composite of black or red Angus combined with Gelbvieh and Simmental into a very useful three breed composite. The Fusion bulls averaged $5,812 with the top one going to another longtime Nebraska customer, Kranau Ranch, for $9,000.

The red Balancer bulls were topped by a homozygous polled son of Flying H Professor 22W, sold to Jones Ranch in Alabama for $7,000, another longtime customer. This heavy muscled beef bull offered 5-star genetics across the board with a 1.7-114 birth to yearling EPD spread and a carcass value of $92.73.

Two bulls in the purebred Gelbvieh division sold for $8,000, both going to repeat customers in Nebraska, Bauer Gelbvieh and Kranau Ranch.

The SimAngus section was topped by a Beef Maker 102Y son at $6,500.

A special feature added this year was the female offering. A select group of young, donor potential, Balancer and Gelbvieh females were sold. Topping the offering was a red, polled purebred that combined phenotype, production and balanced genetic strength. This Flying H Landmark 51P daughter sold for $10,250 to Shifflet Ranch and will be placed in their donor program. The top Balancer, Lot 118, was a double homozygous daughter of Connealy Industry and sold to Bill and Marie Farr for $5,750.

The commercial Gelbvieh x Angus SmartCross® heifer pairs and yearling heifers were well received from $1,500 to $2,800.

Volume buyers were Dale Wanger, Oklahoma with 12 bulls; Kranau Ranch, Byron Pike, and Stan Farr with five bulls each. Mark Farr and Blake Steinkruger were volume buyers of the SmartCross females.

For the first time, Flying H Genetics had a bull customer reach the milestone of purchasing 100 bulls. Stan and Ann Farr of Farnam, Neb., purchased their 100th bull from Flying H Genetics and were rewarded by being given their 100th bull, Lot 74 which brought $6,000. Congratulations to the Farr family. Several other customers are approaching this milestone which is a testament to the longevity, quality, and service provided by the crew from Flying H Genetics.

25th Anniversary Davidson Gelbvieh & Lonesome Dove Ranch Sale

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Ponteix, Saskatchewan
Reported by: Eileen Davidson

Bull Average       $4,702

The cold temperatures were no match for the warm camaraderie amongst cattlemen as Davidson Gelbvieh and Lonesome Dove Ranch sold a large selection of red and black purebred Gelbvieh bulls on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at their Bull Yards near Ponteix, Saskatchewan. A great crowd of buyers and bidders were on-site, with lots of auction action taking place on-line and on the phone. Bulls sold across Canada from British Columbia to Quebec, and several bulls will be making their new homes in the United States as well.

Leading off the sale was DVE Davidson Willy 15A, a black polled Secret Weapon son, who sold to Smithers Land & Livestock of Alberta for $28,000.

DVE Davidson Brandt 64A, a homozygous polled, homozygous black DVE Davidson Moneyman 86Y son, was destined for North Dakota, selling to Arlan Anderson for $8,000. Top-selling red bull was DRT Lonesome Powerstroke 203A who sold to repeat buyer Joe Lansing of Lansing Land & Livestock, Alberta for $8,700.

DVE Davidson Autry 35A, a homozygous black, homozygous polled bull out of a Leadtime female sold to repeat buyer Mike Ketterling of Ketterling Gelbvieh in North Dakotafor $7,500. Also fetching $7,500 was DRT Lonesome Stetson 60A, a black DRT Lonesome Hall of Fame 38X son, who sold to repeat buyer Joe Ness of Jonus Cattle Co., Alberta.

DVE Davidson Hank 155A, a red DVE Davidson Cowboy 20U son, sold for $7,250 and was one of two bulls purchased by repeat clients of Belmar Farms, SK. Other repeat customers included Prairie Hills Gelbvieh, North Dakota, who purchased a new sire for their breeding program, taking home DVE Davidson Jackson 26A, a red DVE Davidson Trump 63U son, for $6,500, as well as the Mannville Colony who topped out their buying with DRT Lonesome Backroads 80A, a DRT Lonesome High Roller 55W son, at $6500. 

Long-time loyal buyers, Hillcrest Colony of Saskatchewan were volume purchasers for 2014, investing in six bulls for their breeding program. Rutledge Ranching, also repeat clients, purchased four new sires including DVE Davidson Bing 113A, a son of Navaho, for $7,500. Walper Ranch of Alberta topped their three bull purchases with DVE Davidson Gill 128A, a DVE Davidson Moneyman 86Y son for $7,000.

The crew at Davidson Gelbvieh and Lonesome Dove Ranch appreciate the tremendous help and support from neighbours, friends and family who assisted with the behind-the-scenes work, and also appreciate the special efforts made by their new and repeat customer base to participate in the sale. The 26th Annual Davidson Gelbvieh and Lonesome Dove Ranch Bull Sale will take place Saturday, March 7, 2015 at their sale facility at the Bull Yards.

Kentucky Beef Expo Gelbvieh Sale

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Louisville, Ky.
Sale sponsored by: Kentucky Gelbvieh Association
Auctioneer: Todd Barlow
Sale managed by: Slaughter Sale Management
Reported by: David Slaughter

7              Bulls       $3,614
10           Bred Females    $3,255
8              Open Females   $2,300

The annual Gelbvieh show and sale at the Kentucky Beef Expo was held the weekend of March 1, 2014 in Louisville, Ky. The show was held on Friday, with the sale following the next day. The Kentucky Gelbvieh Association sponsors the sale. The sale featured 25 lots consigned by ten Gelbvieh and Balancer® breeders.

The grand champion Gelbvieh bull was Lot 7, 3G Atlas 314A ET, consigned by 3G Ranch in Kendallville, Ind. He is a January 7, 2013, black, polled, 75 percent Gelbvieh son of 3G Time Machine. Danny Hunt of Richmond, Ky., was the winning bidder at $4,000.

Green Hills Gelbvieh of Mt. Ulla., N.C., exhibited the reserve champion Gelbvieh bull. Lot 1, Dream Factor 224Z is a March 20, 2012 son of SDCG X-Factor 202X. Adam Helm of Magnolia, Ky., purchased this bull for $4,100.  

The grand champion Gelbvieh female was Lot 13, Tabby 313A, exhibited by Padon Farms, Salem, Ky. A May 5, 2013 open heifer, she is red, polled and sired by MMGG Rocky 90W ET. She was purchased for $2,900 by Maple Valley Farm of Hillsboro, Ohio.  

Gelbvieh Bar None Ranch of Fredonia, Ky., exhibited the reserve champion Gelbvieh female. Lot 22, Bar None Ms. Decade 259X is a September 16, 2012, red, bred heifer sired by CIRS Decade 278U2. She found a new home with Miller Gelbvieh Farm in Strawberry, Ark., for $4,250.   

In the Balancer division, the grand champion Balancer bull was also consigned by 3G Ranch. Lot 6, 3G Zeus 299Z is a December 30, 2012, 50 percent, black bull sired by S A V Bismarck 5682. He was purchased for $3,700 by H & B Cattle Company, Worthington, Ind.  

The reserve champion Balancer bull was Lot 3, GHGR 10Z1ET, consigned by Green Hills Gelbvieh. He is a September 29, 2012, 50 percent, black son of S A V Final Answer 0035. The winning bidder at $3,600 was Woodland Gelbvieh Farm of Greenville, Tenn.  

C-Cross Cattle Company, Biscoe, N.C., consigned the grand champion Balancer female. Lot 25, Carolina Molly 2304Z ET, is a September 1, 2012, 75 percent bred heifer sired by JKGF Reflex X4 ET. Larry P and Sunny D Farms of Greensburg, Ky., was the winning bidder at $5,300.

The reserve champion Balancer female was Lot 20, WAM 132Z, consigned by McIntosh Farm of Georgetown, Ky. She is a 50 percent Balancer bred heifer born October 10, 2012 and sired by WAM Cash Advance. Padon Farms added this heifer to their herd for $3,400.

Thorstenson’s Lazy TV Ranch 33rd Annual Bull Sale

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Selby, S.D.
Auctioneers: Lynn & Seth Weishaar
Reported by: Vaughn Thorstenson

110         Balancer® Bulls  $3,855
45           Angus Bulls         $4,628
15           Gelbvieh Bulls   $3,833
170         Bulls       $4,018

A hardy crowd braving the sub-zero temperature along with active Internet and phone bidding boosted Lazy TV Ranch’s 33rd Annual Bull Sale to a $4,018 average on 170 Gelbvieh, Angus and Balancer® bulls. A large number of repeat buyers mixed with several new customers from a total of six states took advantage of the quality seedstock offered. Hosted by owners Vaughn and Wendy Thorstenson and Brian and DeDee Begeman, the sale was held at the ranch west of Selby, S.D.

Lot 3: Lazy TV Ten X A003, yearling black Balancer sired by Ten X, sold for $13,500 to James Geranen, Frederick, S.D. Lot 3 had the best RFI data of all the sale bulls which were feed efficiency tested by Lazy TV Ranch and also posted a weaning weight ratio of 104, average daily gain ratio of 123, and yearling weight ratio of 112.

Lot 2: Lazy TV Watch A537, black yearling Balancer sired by Lazy TV First Watch, sold for $12,500 to Carl Reist, Adel, Iowa.

Lot 136: Lazy TV Watchman Z167, black 18-month-old black Balancer sired by Lazy TV Watchman, sold for $9,000 to Jon Beastrom, Pierre, S.D.

Lot 190: Lazy TV Daybreak A439, yearling Angus sired by Woodhill Daybreak U280-X20, sold for $7,750 to Mike McQuistion, Pierre, S.D.

Lot 98: Lazy TV Oly A056, red yearling Balancer sired by Red SSS Oly 554T, sold for $8,500 to longtime customer Richard Jore, Watford City, N.D.

Lot 99: Lazy TV 1000-023 A035, red yearling Balancer sired by HJS Holden 1000-023, sold to Keith Buschkamp, Crofton, Neb., for $7,500.

Lot 5: Lazy TV Tank A567, black yearling Balancer sired by Lazy TV Tank, sold to John Graff, Java, S.D., for $7,500.

Lot 1: Lazy TV Curve Time A536, black yearling Balancer sired by Lazy TV Curve Time, sold to Larry Thompson, Glenham, S.D., for $7,250.

Lot 175: Lazy TV Aberdeen 610-3009, yearling Angus sired by Aberdeen 42 105, sold to Wes Moser, Glenham, S.D., for $7,000.

Lot 21: Lazy TV Tank A618, yearling black Balancer sired by Lazy TV Tank, sold to Neil Schnabel, Ashley, N.D., for $7,000.

Lot 97: Lazy TV Oly A001, yearling red Balancer sired by Red SSS Oly 554T, sold for $7,000 to Merle Hicks, Martin, S.D.

Lot 164: Lazy TV Final Solution A300, yearling Angus sired by Final Solution, sold for $7,000 to Danny Worth, Gettysburg, S.D.

Lost River Livestock

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Clearbrook, Minn.
Auctioneer: Marlin Kapp
Reported by: CattleSeller.com

24           Yearling Bulls      $3,177
29           Bred Heifers       $3,034

Top Selling Bulls:

Lot 1: $4750, Purebred Gelbvieh, LRSF Deep Impact A58, March 1, 2013, HYEK Black Impact 3960N X Prime Cut 406S30, Lonny Burrack, Trail, Minn.

Lot 4: $4,400, Purebred Gelbvieh, LRSF Rocky A2, February 10, 2013, DCSF Granite 200P2 X Move'N On W16, Terry Frenzel, Black Duck, Minn.

Lot 10: $4,000, Balancer®, LRSF Marshall A61, March 5, 2013, HYEK Black Impact 3960N X TC Rito 416, Lonny Burrack, Trail, Minn.

Top Selling Heifers:

Lot 63: $3,750, Red Angus, LRLD Sandy Z84, March 22, 2012, 3SCC Dominor W311 X Brando L9, safe to Brown Redemption, Nordlund Stock Farm, Clearbrook, Minn.

Lot 69: $3,600, Commercial, LRLD Z70, March 19, 2012, LRLD Clemente X80 X PVF 423K (SM), safe to Brown Heritage, Bradley Keehr, Brainerd, MN

Lot 58: $3,500, Balancer, LRSF Sabrina Z13, February 17, 2012, JRI Prime Cut 406S30 X Brown Vacation H7106, safe to Brown Heritage, Bradley Olek, Felton, Minn.

Seedstock Plus Tennessee Bull Sale

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Columbia, Tenn.
Auctioneer: Tommy Bailey
Reported by: John Burbank

58           Balancer® Bulls  $3,400
22           Gelbvieh Bulls   $3,790
80           Overall Bulls       $3,507

The fifth annual Seedstock Plus Tennessee Bull Sale was a successful event with the commitment to commercial producers being rewarded. The sale facility was full of new and repeat customers and every bull through the ring sold at a rapid pace. There were 88 registered buyers of which 53 bought from 12 states. The number of bulls in the offering increased by 20 percent compared to last year with an increase in the sale average of more than $300 per head.

Sale highlights include:

Top red Gelbvieh bull – Lot 237, JEB BCC Red Zade 31Z, a red, homozygous polled, purebred Gelbvieh bull, sold for $9,200 for half semen interest and spring possession. Burbank Cattle Co., raised the bull, which was purchased by CJSD Gelbvieh, Ohio.

Top black Gelbvieh bull – Lot 239, SJJS Sorrells 94Z, a homozygous black, homozygous polled, purebred Gelbvieh bull, sold for $7,200, bred by Sorrells Gelbvieh Farms, and was purchased by Bush Cattle Farm, Ky.

Top red Balancer® bull – Lot 172, VWF Zeus Z85, a red, polled Balancer bull, sold for $6,000, bred by Van Winkle Farms, and was purchased by Sandy Knoll Farms, Kan.

Top black Balancer bull – Lot 215, JJNR Mr. Governor B44Z, a homozygous black, homozygous polled Balancer bull, sold for $5,200, bred by Nelson Ranch, and was purchased by Duck River Gelbvieh, Tenn.