LINCOLN, Neb. – The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) has released three new economic selection indexes and four new EPDs that are now available to all AGA members and stakeholders.

“AGA is excited to introduce these new selection indexes to commercial cattlemen. They combine relevant traits and applicable pricing information to create tools that will assist producers in finding animals that best fit their ranch profitability model. The new EPDs bolster AGA’s impressive suite of traits that can be implemented by both AGA members and commercial producers using Gelbvieh and Balancer® genetics,” said Harold Bertz, AGA executive director.

Economic Selection Indexes

The new indexes are designed around three common production/marketing scenarios as described below. All three indexes are based on a breeding system where Gelbvieh bulls are mated to Angus-based cows and include selection criteria (EPDs) for economically relevant or key indicator traits. Summary statistics and percentile ranks will be reported through the DigitalBeef portal. Each index has been carefully designed and reviewed, and is described below with its selection criteria. Commercial producers should utilize the selection index whose production scenario most closely matches their production system.

Maternal Profit Index (MPI): In this production scenario, Gelbvieh bulls are mated to Angus-based cows with surplus calves marketed at weaning, with replacement heifers retained from the calf crop. EPDs weighted in this index are Calving Ease Direct (CED) and Maternal (CEM), Weaning Weight (WW), Milk, Mature Weight (MW), Dry Matter Intake (DMI), Stayability (STAY), and Heifer Pregnancy (HP). Mature weight is the primary driver and represents the significant cost of maintenance energy requirement in the cow-calf sector. Weaning Weight and Milk (expressed in pounds of calf weaning weight) represent the principal revenue stream. Stayability helps account for differences in replacement costs in the system and the effect of heifer retention on revenue streams. This index should be used by commercial cattlemen whose production scenario includes the traditional marketing of calves at weaning and replacement retention from the herd.

Feeder Profit Index™ (FPI™): Envisioned as a completely terminal index, FPI assumes all calves are marketed as finished beef carcasses priced on a value-based grid. Thus, it shouldn’t be used in production scenarios where replacements are kept from these matings. The new FPI formulation more precisely weights economically relevant traits available for selection, including the key carcass traits of Carcass Weight (CW), Ribeye Area (REA), and Dry Matter Intake (DMI) that were not included in the original formulation. The new FPI also weights Fat Thickness (FAT), post-weaning Average Daily Gain (ADG), and Calving Ease Direct (CED). Carcass value determined by carcass weight, quality, and yield grade influencing traits accounts for approximately 75% of the index as principal revenue drivers. Dry Matter Intake captures differences in expected costs to the terminal carcass endpoint.

Total Profit Index (TPI): Combining replacement female retention from the herd with carcass endpoint for marketed surplus heifers and all steers, TPI balances both maternal and terminal selection criteria. Because of the challenges faced by commercial cattlemen by the antagonisms in selection for this production scenario, TPI includes the largest and most diverse set of EPDs in the model, including carcass traits as the primary revenue drivers with cow Mature Weight (MW), Stayability (STAY), and Dry Matter Intake (DMI) as cost drivers.

Implementation of the new Gelbvieh indexes into sire selection decisions is simple and straightforward. Each index is reported in dollars and represents the differences of sires’ progeny values when produced under each of the specific scenarios. The index values reported are on a per conceived calf basis. It is expected that users of the indexes generally conform to the respective production circumstances.

The new Gelbvieh-specific selection indexes present an unprecedented opportunity for breeders and commercial cattlemen to select the right bulls for improved profit potential. These tools provide a simple, efficient, and impactful multiple trait selection strategy for producers in each of the common production scenarios.

New EPDs

Mature Weight (MWT): Body weight of cows adjusted to six years of age at body condition score 5. MWT is reported in pounds and is computed from a genetic model that leverages information from weaning weight, post-weaning gain, and mature weights of cows. Reported weights are adjusted for both age at observation and for body condition. Body weights of cows 2 to 12 years of age are utilized in the evaluation, so producers can report data at any age for the evaluation. Preferably, cows should be evaluated at or shortly following weaning, as that’s a convenient time for many producers to process cows. Weights collected at other times in the production cycle are acceptable. Producers should measure full contemporary groups on the same day as the observation date, which helps form the contemporary group.

Cow Energy Requirement-Yearly (CERY): Mature body weight, lactation potential, and birth weight are primary predictors of energy requirements. Mature Weight, Milk, and Birth Weight EPD are utilized to inform prediction equations from beef cow nutrition research to estimate differences in energy requirement over a production year. The CERY EPD is reported in pounds of Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) required for an age 6 cow.

Dry Matter Intake (DMI): the genetic difference in pounds of expected average daily dry matter intake of progeny.

$GAIN: reports the difference in expected marginal value of gain, less the cost of feed to achieve that gain. Reported in dollars of marginal profit, with more positive values representing increased efficiency and profit.

All AGA members and commercial cattlemen are invited to attend a webinar hosted by Dr. Bob Weaber, AGA genetics consultant, on September 23, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. CST. The webinar will provide more information about each index and EPD, as well as guidance on how to utilize them in various production scenarios. Register for the webinar today at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/HzC4BuLCQ-q6siX5zA0Dig

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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LINCOLN, Neb. – Registration is open for the 55th Annual American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) National Convention to be held December 3-5, 2025, at the Margaritaville Hotel Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee.

The convention will feature annual AGA committee meetings, the attendees’ favorite Bull Pen Session, Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup educational symposium featuring industry-leading speakers and breakout sessions, and the annual awards banquet honoring individuals for their outstanding contributions to the breed.

AGA members are encouraged to attend and exercise their right to vote at the AGA Annual Meeting, held on December 5, 2025. During the meeting, the election of five members to the AGA Board of Directors will take place, along with other important association business.

The AGA and American Gelbvieh Foundation (AGF) will host an evening awards banquet on December 4, 2025, to celebrate the achievements of the membership and customers. Awards will be presented to the newest AGA Hall of Fame inductee, Breeder of the Year, and Commercial Producer of the Year.

“The AGA National Convention is the highlight of the year for our members, staff, and partners. It provides an opportunity to learn, network, and be involved in the business that shapes the AGA’s future,” said Harold Bertz, AGA Executive Director. “We look forward to seeing everyone in Nashville, Tennessee!”

Continue to read Gelbvieh World and watch the AGA Facebook and Instagram pages for convention news and speaker announcements. Register before November 1, 2025, to reserve early bird pricing and reserve your hotel room at Gelbvieh.org/membership/coming-events/convention-2. For questions regarding the event, please contact the AGA office at (303) 465-2333 or email info@gelbvieh.org.

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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LINCOLN, Neb.– The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Grace Schlueter as its 2025 Summer Intern. Schlueter will officially begin her role on May 27, 2025, and will be based in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is excited to welcome Grace Schlueter as the 2025 summer intern. Schlueter, a sophomore majoring in Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm for the cattle industry to her role.

Schlueter grew up on a registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® cow-calf operation near Scribner, Nebraska. Her lifelong involvement in agriculture includes participation in 4-H and FFA programs, where she enjoyed livestock judging and showing. She is also a current member of the UNL Block and Bridle Club and Meats Judging team.

“I’ve always been passionate about agriculture and genetics,” she said. “This internship is an incredible opportunity to gain a holistic view of the beef industry by working with a breed association.”

One of Schlueter’s key responsibilities this summer will be assisting with the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) Junior Nationals event, which brings together youth from across the country for competitions, networking, and leadership development.

“I’m most excited about helping organize Junior Nationals,” she said. “It’s such a busy time, but I love the energy and seeing everything come together.”

AGA is committed to success of the cattle industry which means supporting and fostering opportunities for the future of the industry: the next generation of producers and colleagues.

As a former ag teacher, Harold Bertz, AGA executive director, shares that creating opportunities for interns and witnessing their professional growth is rewarding for the AGA team and its members.

“Internships provide invaluable hands-on experiences, helping our young leaders explore their passions, build skills, and discover pathways to long-term

involvement in an industry that is vital to agriculture and food production,” he says. “These are the future leaders of our industry and helping them discover all that the industry has to offer is an important role we can all take part in.” During her internship, Schlueter will gain exposure to various aspects of the AGA’s operations, including youth outreach, genetic programs, and registration services.

“This internship will help me figure out what I want to do with my future while allowing me to give back to an industry I love,” Schlueter adds. Schlueter will officially begin her internship on May 27, 2025.

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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