LINCOLN, Neb. – Presented at the National Gelbvieh and Balancer® Show, held in conjunction with the third annual 2023 Cattlemen’s Congress, both the People’s Choice Balancer Futurity and Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Futurity Scholarships were awarded. Each scholarship provides the winning recipient with $1,000 to be used for the continuation of their education in the field of their choice. Criteria for both scholarship opportunities include active membership within the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) and being actively enrolled as a high school senior or college student that has not yet turned 22 as of January 1, 2023. Scholarship funds may be used to attend a two-year or four-year college, university or technical school.

The 2023 People’s Choice Balancer Bull Futurity scholarship is Gabrielle Hammer, Wallace, Kansas. Gabrielle is the daughter of Lyle and Christy Hammer and currently attends Fort Hays State University majoring in Biology with the hopes of finding a career in Physical Therapy. Graduating from Wallace County High School in 2019 with a cumulative GPA of 4.0, Hammer was actively involved in 4-H, Student Council, National Honor Society, as well as various community organizations over the years. Through 4-H, Hammer could be found leading as an exhibitor and mentor in the dog project at the local and state level all while balancing leadership positions in both 4-H and the Kansas Junior Gelbvieh Association.

“The Gelbvieh breed has shaped me into the young lady I am today, and I am so grateful for all the opportunities this breed has provided for me. I have come to realize the necessity of educating the public not only about the beef industry but also about agriculture in general,” Hammer mentions.

A ten-year member of the AGJA, Hammer has earned several top recognitions including division winners along with the top five female. Additionally, she has been recognized as a top 10 exhibitor for nine of her 10 years within the association. Hammer looks forward to leading by example in her final year as a member of the AGJA and plans to return to the ranch and continue expanding her Gelbvieh and Balancer herd after finishing her secondary education journey.

Preston Dunn, son of Brian and Carolyn Dunn, of St. John, Kansas, was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Bull Futurity Scholarship. Dunn currently attends Kansas State University as a freshman majoring in Animal Science and Agricultural Economics. A National Honor Society member and 4.0 2022 graduate of St. John High School, Dunn was actively involved in 4-H serving as his county 4-H council president and treasurer. Among numerous awards received within his 4-H career, Dunn was the recipient of the Kansas Key Award, one of the highest honors awarded to 4-H members across Kansas. Additionally, he has competed on the livestock, meats, and skill-a-thon team placing all-around individual at the 2021 state 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes contest. Dunn didn’t stop there placing second in the state, he participated in the Kansas 4-H Science of Agriculture Challenge presenting on Genetic Selection for Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle. Dunn was also very involved in his local FFA chapter serving in many roles including Chapter Vice-President.

Dunn stated, “I don’t know exactly what direction I will end up and am interested in pursuing internships as I progress through college to learn more and find my place in the industry.”

A six-year member of the AGJA, and currently serving his third year as an AGJA director, he has shown exemplary promise and dedication to the Gelbvieh breed through all walks of life.

Congratulations to both of the 2023 Bull Futurity Scholarship recipients. If you know an AGJA member who meets the aforementioned criteria to apply for an AGJA scholarship like these, we encourage you to reach out and share the opportunities provided through the AGJA, American Gelbvieh Foundation, bull futurities, and several memorials. Please contact Jake Renner, AGA member and youth activities coordinator, with questions at gelbviehjuniors@gmail.com.

The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance-oriented total herd reporting system.

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2023 Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Bull Futurity Winner – PHS Prohart Kryptonite 23K

LINCOLN, Neb. – The 26th Annual Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Bull Futurity was held on January 1, 2023, in conjunction with the Cattlemen’s Congress held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Gelbvieh breeders and supporters initiated the futurity to increase participation in the National Gelbvieh Show, the National Gelbvieh and Balancer® Sale, and to identify the most useful young sires in the Gelbvieh breed. The futurity event is managed by Chris Mitchell.

PHS Prohart Kryptonite 23K was the winner of this year’s futurity, owned by Pro-Hart Seed Stock of Pueblo, Colorado.

PHS Prohart Kryptonite 23K received the most votes after two rounds of voting to beat out the eight other entries in the Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Bull Futurity. PHS Prohart Kryptonite 23K is a 93.75% purebred Gelbvieh bull born on January 20, 2022, and sired by WAHL Flying H Mr High Rev 20G ET. He posts a 72-pound birth weight and a 790-pound weaning weight.

DCSF Post Rock Black Box 150K1, owned by Post Rock Cattle Company, Barnard, Kansas, was one of the runners-up. He is a 99.9% purebred Gelbvieh bull born on February 9, 2022, and sired by DLW TPG Frontrunner 2510F. DCSF Post Rock Black Box 150K1 was the high weaning bull calf who ratioed 122 and ranked first out of 71 contemporaries.

JRI Bonanza 254K426, owned by Judd Ranch Inc. of Pomona, Kansas, claimed the other runner-up in this year’s futurity. He is an 87.5% purebred Gelbvieh bull born on February 11, 2022, and sired by JRI Bandito 253H32. Fertility, longevity, and teat/udder excellence run deep in Bonanza’s pedigree as he features three Dam of Merit/Dam of Distinction honored grandams and is bred with performance as he posted a 970-pound actual weaning weight.

The champion bull sold as lot one in the National Gelbvieh and Balancer sale for $11,000 to Deibler Gelbvieh of Mullen, Nebraska, for possession and semen interest.

The Gelbvieh futurity holds a drawing among members to win proceeds from the sale of the champion bull. Warner Beef Genetics of Arapahoe, Nebraska, and K Lazy S Farms won the drawing.

The futurity is limited to 53 membership slots. Spots only come available when an operation does not renew their membership.

The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance-oriented total herd reporting system.

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2023 People’s Choice Balancer® Bull Futurity Winner – DCSF Post Rock Prominent 139K8

LINCOLN, Neb. – Post Rock Cattle Company, Barnard, Kansas, captured championship honors in the 2023 People’s Choice Balancer® Bull Futurity with their entry, DCSF Post Rock Prominent 139K8 ET. The event was held in conjunction with the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Over $20,000 will be awarded to Post Rock Cattle Company for breeding and exhibiting the futurity champion.

The People’s Choice Balancer Bull Futurity is in its thirteenth year and is organized by Slaughter Sale Management. The event and selection identify elite young Balancer sires that have the potential to be breed leaders.

DCSF Post Rock Prominent 139K8 was selected champion by Balancer futurity members. He was born on February 6, 2022, and is a 62.5% Balancer son of JRI Probity 254D28.

DCSF Post Rock Prominent 139K8 is a long-spined, soggy made herd bull prospect that is made correct and smooth at every angle. He is out of a flush that combines proven pedigrees and is designed to make fault-free cattle. His sire is JRI Probity 254D28 is a past futurity winner as well.

Each year, one membership is randomly drawn to receive full possession and half semen interest in the champion bull. Overmiller Gelbvieh, Smith Center, Kansas, won the drawing.

The two runners-up were TAU Limit Lock 20K ET, owned by Taubenheim Gelbvieh, Amherst, Nebraska, and BGGR Top Gun J011, owned by Black Gold Genetics, Pritchett, Colorado. Each runner-up received $2,500 in prize money.

TAU Limit Lock 20K ET was born on January 22, 2022, and is a 36.7% Balancer son of Deer Valley Growth Fund. He is massive-footed, thick-ended and big-middled. His EPD profile ranks in the top 1% for Weaning Weight, Yearling Weight and Carcass Weight.

BGGR Top Fun J011 was born on November 24, 2021, and is a 40.3% Balancer son of EGL Game Changer D136. He posted a 70-pound actual birthweight and 970-pound actual weaning weight from grass and his dam alone. He ranks in the top 3% for Weaning Weight, Yearling Weight and Feeder Profit Index.

Anyone interested in becoming a futurity member should contact David Slaughter to get their name on the waiting list for the 2024 Balancer Bull Futurity.

The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance-oriented total herd reporting system.

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