Gelbvieh and Balancer females excel in stayability
Females that stay in the herd longer are by far the most profitable. To measure and select for this trait, the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) offers a stayability (ST) EPD. This EPD predicts the genetic difference, in terms of percent probability, that a bull’s daughters will stay within a herd to at least six years of age.
With the high costs associated with the development or purchase of replacement females, sustained production in a herd is essential. Gelbvieh females are proven to stay in the herd longer.
Maternal Efficiency
U.S. Meat Animal Research Center data shows Gelbvieh females have the smallest mature cow size of the four major continental breeds. The Gelbvieh breed was the only breed in the study to reduce mature cow size – at an average of 1,382 pounds Gelbvieh-sired females had the lowest five-year-old cow weight. This reduced mature cow-size allows for puberty to be reached at an earlier age, which leads to calving earlier in the season and producing a heavier calf at a younger age.
Greater Calving Ease
Calving ease is an important factor many cattlemen consider when selecting a herd sire. Cattlemen and cattlewomen like to have peace mind knowing their calves will be born unassisted and alive. Getting more live calves on the ground is the first step to getting more pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed and also equates to more potential for future profit. The Gelbvieh and Balancer breed has lowered birth weights and increased calving ease to meet the demands of today’s beef industry.
