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Telling Our Story by Aubree Beenken

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Last month I started another semester at Iowa State University where I am double majoring in animal science and agriculture and society. During my time at Iowa State, I have been fortunate to be involved in many different groups and organizations. Some of my activities include taking part in Iowa State Freshmen Council, the University Honors Program, Vermeer International Leadership Program, and serving as an ambassador for the College of Agriculture. Through all of my experiences I have met a multitude of people, each with their unique background and experiences.

I grew up in a small town, like many of you, where everyone knows the same friendly culture and holds the same values and morals. I went to college with the mindset of meeting new people but expected them to still share many cultural similarities with me. I had not been prepared to be met with so much cultural diversity at the main agriculture university for the state of Iowa. I was not set back by all the diversity surrounding me; rather I saw it as an opportunity to be an advocate and share my story with others. College was my first true experience working with people who did not believe in or support the industry that was the livelihood of my family and many others in my home community.

Through the organizations I participate in at Iowa State, I work alongside students from all across the United States and the world. Each student has their own background and experiences that have influenced their perspective on many aspects of life. Working with people who share different values than you can be quite difficult, but the most important part to remember is to always be respectful. Often when having discussions with other students the topics of GMOs, CAFOs, organic vs. non-organic, and animal welfare were brought up. All of these issues are very
in-depth and have many scientific studies to back them up. However, the scientific data meant little to my classmates because they do not fully understand the situation; rather, their opinion is based on emotion. For many of my classmates, grass-fed animals seemed better than grain-fed because it seemed more natural to them, my classmates never considered the greater long-term environmental impact and land resources required for grass-fed. Being able to explain the situation in a way that people outside of agriculture can understand is going to be critical to the future success of the agriculture industry.

As a beef producer, it is my responsibility to share with others what actually occurs on my family’s beef operation and general aspects of production agriculture. This includes taking the time to explain why male animals are castrated, why antibiotics are used for livestock, and what the label hormone-free means. Many times these discussions tested my patience, but every time I reaffirmed that as livestock producers we CARE and we are CAPABLE of producing high-quality, wholesome food while providing the highest quality of animal welfare.

The ability to share your story with someone you may run into at a grocery store, sit next to on a plane, or meet at the doctor’s office is essential for promoting a positive aspect of agriculture. In today’s world people are constantly exposed to articles through social media platforms that tear down the animal industry and farming. Whether you are a seedstock producer, commercial cow-calf producer, feedlot manager, or grain farmer you all have a critical role in making sure there is a positive future for agriculture to hand down to the next generation of agriculturalists. Agriculture is continually changing from new advancements in technologies and new regulations, but there is no industry more rewarding than the agriculture industry.

Breed-Leading Genetics Sell at National Gelbvieh and Balancer® Sale

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Reported by KK Seedstock

January 8, 2017
Denver, Colorado
Sale Manger: KK Seedstock
Auctioneer: Ronn Cunningham

Sale Averages

1 Half Interest Donor Dam              $18,000
2.5 Bulls                                             $17,400
3.5 Bred Females                              $9,643
7 Pick of Herd Lots                           $7,821
10 Open Heifers                                $6,390
4 Embryo Flushes                             $5,625
Total: 27.5 Lots                                 $8,270

 

Progressive Gelbvieh and Balancer breeders from across the United States and Canada converged on Denver, Colorado, for the Gelbvieh events held in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show January 5-9. In addition to the outstanding displays of Gelbvieh breeding cattle on the Hill and in the Yards, 25 Gelbvieh and Balancer® breeders from 12 states and Alberta pooled their resources to offer an outstanding set of cattle in the National Gelbvieh and Balancer® Sale. The seats of the Beef Palace Auction Arena were filled with buyers interested in adding these exciting genetics to their respective breeding programs. At the final drop of the gavel a total of 27.5 lots passed through the ring for an average of $8,270.

$18,750—Top-selling lot—One of the most anticipated lots and the eventual top seller was full possession and half semen interest in the 2017 Breeder’s Choice Champion Futurity Bull. GHGF Trump Train C521 is a September 15, 2015, double homozygous purebred son of FMGF Blue’s Impact 001X out of GHGF 2Z1 ET. Possession sold to Jumping Cow Gelbvieh of Ramah, Colorado, with semen packages selling to: Rippe Gelbvieh, Hubbell, Nebraska; Gustin Diamond D, Mandan, North Dakota; Dykstra Family Livestock, Morrison, Illinois; CJ&L Livestock, Hermosa, South Dakota; Butler Creek Farm, Milton, Tennessee; Lazy TV Ranch, Selby, South Dakota; and J&K Gelbvieh Farm, Ava, Illinois. Furthermore, consignor, Karlebo Gelbvieh Farm of Cleveland, North Carolina, who won the proceeds from the sale of Trump Train through the Gelbvieh futurity’s drawing, was generous enough to donate 10 percent of the purchase price to the American Gelbvieh Foundation.

$18,000—Next up was half embryo interest in BABR Maria 5256C. The March 8, 2015 50 percent Balancer double homozygous daughter of BABR Secret Brand 2100Z out of BABR 7062T was offered by Wes and Brittney Spencer of Pierre, South Dakota. The buyer was the Maria Syndicate of Minot, North Dakota.

$11,000—Hilltop Farms of Asbury, Missouri, had the final bid on the 2016 pick of the fall-born calves of Butler Creek Farms of Milton, Tennessee.

$11,000—Another popular pick was the opportunity to choose from the right to flush any Gelbvieh cow in the Eagle Pass Ranch herd of Highmore, South Dakota. The winning bidder was Leachman Cattle of Ft. Collins, Colorado.

$10,500—LWHF Lass 801C is a September 4, 2015 born, 50 percent Balancer double homozygous daughter of Post Rock Granite 200P2 out of PCC Miss Lass 319A. She was consigned by Little Windy Hill Farms of Max Meadows, Virginia, and was purchased by McIntosh Brothers, Georgetown, Kentucky; Coles Bend Cattle, Smiths Grove, Kentucky; and Cross Cattle Co. of Asheboro, North Carolina.

$10,000—A consignment from Little Windy Hill Farms of Max Meadows, Virginia, was highly sought after. LWHF Black Diamond 814C, a September 17, 2015, 50 percent Balancer, double homozygous son of PCC Witten 111A out of PAWS 931W, sold to Rippey Farms of Galax, Virginia.

$10,000—Sunberry Valley Ranch of Sundre, Alberta, purchased the pick of the 2017 heifer calves from Severtson Land & Cattle Co. of Innisfail, Alberta.

$9,000—Butler Creek Farms of Milton, Tennessee, sold half embryo interest in Clinch Mt. Ms. Impact 1339A, a September 22, 2013, 75 percent Balancer, black, polled daughter of Butlers Impact 549U out of JBOB 3530K. The buyer was LeDoux Ranch of Agenda, Kansas.

 

 

Champions Named at the National Gelbvieh and Balancer® Show

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The 2017 National Gelbvieh and Balancer® show was held at the National Western Stock Show on Monday, January 9, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. A total of 203 animals were exhibited. Judge Shane Lindsey, Prairie City, Iowa, evaluated the 62 Gelbvieh females, 34 Gelbvieh bulls, 80 Balancer females, and 27 Balancer bulls.

The grand champion Gelbvieh female was HIGH Ms Miranda 9C17 ET owned by Grady Hammer, Wallace, Kansas. This February 18, 2015, daughter of JRI Pop a Top 197T83 first claimed the junior heifer division.

The reserve grand champion Gelbvieh female came out of the winter heifer calf division. RUPP Roxi 623D is owned by Karly Alexander, Perry, Oklahoma, and is the February 19, 2016, daughter of JRI Crusader 285Y99.

Royal Western Gelbvieh, Red Deer County, Alberta, Canada, owns the grand champion Gelbvieh bull. RWG Right Combination 5506 is the May 4, 2015 son of RWG War Admiral 2528 and first claimed the intermediate bull division.

JRI Prowler 125B3 was named the reserve grand champion Gelbvieh bull. Owned by Eagle Pass Mansfield, South Dakota, and LeDoux Ranch, Agenda, Kansas, this bull is the September 2, 2014, son of JRI Pop a Top 197T83 and first won the senior bull division.

In the Balancer show, the grand champion Balancer female was BCFG Butlers 133C, owned by Alexandria Raab, Markle, Indiana. She is the November 2, 2015, daughter of BCFG Butlers Bismarck 512Z and first claimed the senior heifer calf division.

KDV T Bar S A La Mode was named the reserve grand champion Balancer female. She is owned by Grace Vehige and Kyle Vehige, Bonnots Mill, Missouri, and is the November 24, 2014 daughter of JBOB Carolina 5423P ET. She first won the senior heifer division.

McCarty Cattle Company of Rifle, Colorado owns the grand champion Balancer bull. MCCA Capitol Hill 516C first won the junior bull division and is the January 25, 2015 son of SAV Brilliance 8077.

The reserve grand champion Balancer bull came out of the same division. VLK C503 Young Gun is owned by Post Rock Cattle Company, Barnard, Kansas, and is the March 19, 2015 son of BGGR Gravity 803A.

Butler Creek Farms, Milton, Tennessee, took home both the premier breeder and premier exhibitor awards.

 

2017 National Gelbvieh and Balancer® Show
January 9, 2017
Denver, Colorado
Judge: Shane Lindsey, Prairie City, Iowa
Entries: 203 head

Divisions and Reserves:

Gelbvieh Champion Spring Heifer Calf: BCFG Butlers MS Dixie 283D; Butler Creek Farms, Milton, Tenn.; Sire: BCFG Butlers Red Oak 908W

Gelbvieh Reserve Champion Spring Heifer Calf: VLK D649 Harper ET; Volek Gelbvieh, Highmore, S.D.; Sire: VLK A301 Highmore

Gelbvieh Champion Winter Heifer Calf: RUPP Roxi 623D; Karly Alexander, Perry, Okla.; Sire: JRI Crusader 285Y99

Gelbvieh Reserve Champion Winter Heifer Calf: RID R Halle 6013D; Ridinger Cattle Company, Deer Trail, Colo.; Sire: AAD R Lawman 1467B

Gelbvieh Champion Senior Heifer Calf: BCFG SKYS Kali 282C; Casey Martin, Oregon, Ill.; Sire: BCFG Butlers Red Oak 908W

Gelbvieh Reserve Champion Senior Heifer Calf: HIGH Ms Cora 9C79 ET; RLB Genetics, Fordland, Mo.; Sire: JRI Pop a Top 197T83

Gelbvieh Champion Intermediate Heifer: ELC Ms. Charlotte 2C; Brooke Cooper, Burdett, Kan.; Sire: GRU Impact 850X

Reserve Champion Gelbvieh Intermediate Heifer: GHGF Ms Oakie 534C; Austin Teeter, Mount Ulla, N.C.; Sire: FMGF Blue’s Impact 001X

Gelbvieh Champion Junior Heifer: HIGH Ms Miranda 9C17 ET; Grady Hammer, Wallace, Kan.; Sire: JRI Pop a Top 197T83

Gelbvieh Reserve Champion Junior Heifer: MDR Clara Allen 520C; Brylee Thiel, Kaw City, Okla.; Sire: JRI Next Step 285X72

Gelbvieh Champion Senior Heifer: KDV T Bar S Ya Meek; Grace, Vehige and Kyle Vehige, Bonnots Mill, Mo.; Sire: JBOB Carolina 5423P ET

Gelbvieh Champion Cow/Calf Pair: STON Miss Jest 13A; Dobson Ranch, Kaw City, Okla.; Sire: JRI Star Bucks 254Y82

Gelbvieh Reserve Champion Cow/Calf Pair: RWG Kitty 4512; Royal Western Gelbvieh, Red Deer County, Alberta, Canada; Sire: COLB Mr Xavier X812

Gelbvieh Champion Spring Bull Calf: OGSG Over Drive Train 43D ET; Overmiller Gelbvieh, Smith Center, Kan.; Sire: GGGE 3G Bootlegger 439B

Gelbvieh Reserve Champion Spring Bull Calf: HIGH Hard to Find 26D36; Hightower Cattle Company LLC, La Cygne, Kan.; Sire: HIGH Mr Gold Rush 9A38

Gelbvieh Champion Winter Bull Calf: PHS Prohadrt Denalli 613D; Pro-Hart Seedstock, Pueblo, Colo.; Sire: BDCG DC 401A4 ET

Gelbvieh Reserve Champion Winter Bull Calf: TAU Full Force 8D ET; Taubenheim Gelbvieh, Amherst, Neb.; Sire: HYEK Black Impact 3960N

Gelbvieh Champion Senior Bull Calf: OGSG Courageous 131C; R & N Overmiller Gelbvieh, Smith Center, Kan.; Sire: GGGE 3G Zip Line 266Z

Gelbvieh Reserve Champion Senior Bull Calf: TTTT Rock Solid 1558C ET; Chase Tabor, Stillwater, Okla.; Sire: DBRG Foundation 2310Z

Gelbvieh Champion Intermediate Bull: RWG Right Combination 5506; Royal Western Gelbvieh, Red Deer County, Alberta, Canada; Sire: RWG War Admiral 2528

Gelbvieh Reserve Champion Intermediate Bull: RWG Captain 5701; Royal Western Gelbvieh, Red Deer County, Alberta, Canada; Sire: BEAS 2806Z

Gelbvieh Champion Junior Bull: MCCA Cornhusker Red 524C; McCarty Cattle Company and Grand Valley Gelbvieh/Balancer, Rifle, Colo.; Sire: RWG Traction 7412

Reserve Champion Gelbvieh Junior Bull: GHGF Hired Gun C56; Austin Teeter, Mount Ulla, N.C.; Sire: FMGF Blue’s Impact 001X

Gelbvieh Champion Senior Bull: JRI Prowler 125B3; Eagle Pass Ranch and LeDoux Ranch, Mansfield, S.D.; Sire: JRI Pop a Top 197T83

Gelbvieh Champion Two-Year-Old Bull: SLC Road Trip 103B; Severtson Land and Cattle, Red Deer County, Alberta, Canada; Sire: CES Decka Roadie 81T

Balancer Champion Spring Heifer Calf: BCFG Ms. Danica 534D; Aidan Raab, Markle, Ind.; Sire: BCFG Butlers Bismarck 512Z

Balancer Reserve Champion Spring Heifer Calf: VLK D609 Ellie; Britney Volek, Highmore, S.D.; Sire: VLK A301 Highmore

Balancer Champion Winter Heifer Calf: BCFG Butlers Ms Daphanie 512D; Butler Creek Farms, Milton, Tenn.; Sire: BCFG Butlers Hillbilly Hero 71

Balancer Reserve Champion Winter Heifer Calf: MDR Dallas 616D ET; Karly Alexander, Perry, Okla.; Sire: CCRO Carolina Exclusive 1230Y

Balancer Champion Senior Heifer Calf: BCFG Butlers 133C; Alexandria Raab, Markle, Ind.; Sire: BCFG Butlers Bismarck 512Z

Balancer Reserve Champion Senior Heifer Calf: CCRO CCross Carolina 5320C; Hilltop Farms, Asbury, Mo.; Sire: VER Eagle Eye 224Y ET

Balancer Champion Intermediate Heifer: EGL Tessa C1510; Eagle Pass Ranch, Highmore, S.D.; Sire: EGL Lock and Load X415

Balancer Champion Junior Heifer: EGL Vivian C1083; J W LeDoux, Agenda, Kan.; Sire: Eagle Pass Final Answer 1047

Balancer Reserve Champion Junior Heifer: DJS 510C ET; Jady LeDoux, Agenda, Kan.; Sire: TAU Mr In Focus 22Z

Balancer Champion Senior Heifer: KDV T Bar S A La Mode; Grace Vehige and Kyle Vehige, Bonnots Mill, Mo.; Sire: JBOB Carolina 5423P ET

Balancer Champion Spring Bull Calf: PCCI Mr Roy 6131D; Pearson Cattle Co. Inc., Lake City, S.D.; Sire: HTFG Mr Roy A664

Balancer Reserve Champion Spring Bull Calf: CRAN D47 ET; Cranview Gelbvieh, Minot, N.D.; Sire: CTR Sandhills 0065X

Balancer Champion Winter Bull Calf: JNCC BROK Final Dimension 601D; Victoria Brooke Nowack, Bland, Mo.; Sire: EXAR Denver 2002B

Balancer Reserve Champion Winter Bull Calf: JCGR BAR GT Republican 170D ET; Jumping Cow Gelbvieh, Ramah, Colo.; Sire: CCRO Carolina Exclusive 1230Y

Balancer Champion Senior Bull Calf: LWHF Black Diamond 814C; Little Windy Hill Farms, Max Meadows, Va.; Sire: PCC Witten 111A

Balancer Reserve Champion Senior Bull Calf: RID R Big Whiskey 5092C; Ridinger Cattle Company, Deer Trail, Colo.; Sire: CCRO Carolina Exclusive 1230Y

Balancer Champion Junior Bull: MCCA Capitol Hill 516C; McCarty Cattle Company, Rifle, Colo.; Sire: SAV Brilliance 8077

Balancer Reserve Champion Junior Bull: VLK C503 Young Gun; Post Rock Cattle Company, Barnard, Kan.; Sire: BGGR Gravity 803A

Balancer Champion Senior Bull: GWBR BOBO 106B; George Weber, Lamar, Mo.; Sire: OGSG X-Factor 608X

Balancer Champion Two-Year-Old Bull: EGL Roundhouse B019; Roundhouse Group, Agenda, Kan.; Sire: EGL Roundup X777

Balancer Reserve Champion Two-Year-Old Bull: SUN Old School 77B; Severtson Land and Cattle, Red Deer County, Alberta, Canada; Sire: SLC Old School 120W