Gelbvieh Breeders Focus on Performance Testing

Gelbvieh bulls top ADG and WDA in first weight report at Midland

With a focus on performance testing and a desire to obtain residual feed intake (RFI) data, Gelbvieh breeders have entered 49 Gelbvieh and Balancer® bulls in the 2011 Midland Bull Test in Columbus, Mont. The bulls were entered by seven breeders from six states.

In the first intermediate performance report recently released by Midland, the Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls lead the way in performance, topping the other nine breeds on test for average daily gain (ADG) and weight per day of age (WDA). The 49 bulls on test had an average ADG of 3.20 lbs/day and a WDA of 3.33 lbs/day – significantly higher than the averages for the other breeds on test.

Leading the way for the Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls is an entry by Mohogany Hollow of Delta, Utah. This February 2010 Balancer bull sired by Bon View New Design posted an impressive ADG of 4.15 lbs/day. He also had a WDA of 3.69 lbs/day and a first intermediate weight of 1,230 pounds.

In the WDA column, a purebred Gelbvieh bull tops the list with an outstanding WDA of 3.94 lbs/day. Entered by Middle Creek Farms, Inc., Bozeman, Mont., this January 2010 Carolina Fortune son had an ADG of 3.72 lbs/day and tipped the scales in this first weight report at 1,360 pounds.

Additional Gelbvieh breeders who have bulls entered in the Midland test are Hone Ranch, Gardnerville, Nev., M Heart D Gelbvieh, Stevensville, Mont., Cranview Gelbvieh, Minot, N.D., Ledgerwood Gelbvieh, Clarkston, Wash., and Russell Family Livestock, Brooklyn, Wisc.

The 2011 Midland Bull Test sale is set for April 6-8, with the Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls selling on the first day. Complete performance reports are available at www.midlandbulltest.com.