Media Releases
AGJA Board of Directors Elected at 2021 Southern Hospitality Classic
American Gelbvieh Junior Association board of directors. Front row (left to right): Alexx Starr, Stapleton, Neb.; Madalynn Welsh, Franklin, Neb.; Preston Dunn, St. John, Kan.; Karley Rumfelt, Phillipsburg, Mo.; Rachelle Anderson, Jamestown, Kan.; Cody Forbes, De Smet, S.D. Back row (left to right): Jaycie Forbes, De Smet, S.D.; Lily Judd, Pomona, Kan.; Jaylea Pope, Ravenna, Neb.; Sadie Morris, Batesville, Miss.
Lincoln, Nebraska – The election of the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) board of directors was held at the 2021 AGJA Southern Hospitality Classic in Batesville, Mississippi, on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. AGJA members elected five candidates to serve a two-year term.
The AGJA board of directors is comprised of nine AGJA members and one ex-officio member. Directors serve two-year terms and are eligible to serve two full terms. Directors must be 16 years of age and may not have yet reached their 20th birthday as of January 1.
Newly elected board members include Jaycie Forbes, De Smet, South Dakota, daughter of Troy and Pam Forbes; Jaylea Pope, Ravenna, Nebraska, daughter of Jeff and Jeanne Pope; Lily Judd, Pomona, Kansas, daughter of Nick and Ginger Judd; and Sadie Morris, Batesville, Mississippi, daughter of Jason and Susan Morris. Madalynn Welsh, Franklin, Nebraska, daughter of Brian and Gina Welsh, was re-elected to the board for her second term.
The board spends time following the directors’ election to elect an executive committee to serve in leadership positions for the 2021-2022 year. Alexx Starr, Stapleton, Nebraska, daughter of Scott and Raberta Starr, was elected president. Madalynn Welsh was elected to serve as vice president. Preston Dunn, St. John, Kansas, son of Brian and Carolyn Dunn, will serve as the vice president of leadership. Karley Rumfelt, Phillipsburg, Missouri, daughter of Brad and Amy Rumfelt, was elected secretary. Rachelle Anderson, Jamestown, Kansas, daughter of Robert and Charlotte Anderson, was elected treasurer. Cody Forbes, De Smet, South Dakota, son of Troy and Pam Forbes, will serve as ex-officio.
Retiring board members of the 2020-2021 AGJA board of directors included Brooke Nowack, Bland, Missouri, daughter of Jared and Caisie Nowack; Danielle Stock, Waukon, Iowa, daughter of Mark and Stacy Stock; Cade Cameron, Danville, Iowa, son of Greg and Dawn Cameron; and Grace Vehige, Billings, Missouri, daughter of Tom and Stacy Vehige.
The American Gelbvieh Junior Association is the junior division of the American Gelbvieh Association. The AGJA provides members up to 21 years of age the opportunity to participate in youth activities.
Vanderbur Joins AGA as Data Services Coordinator
Lincoln, Nebraska – The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is excited to welcome Megan (Meg) Vanderbur into the role of data services coordinator. Vanderbur began her role with the Association on June 15 and is excited to serve the membership.
Vanderbur will assist AGA members and customers with DNA testing and registry services. She will also play a role in AGA’s member education efforts.
“My biggest goals coming into this position,” she shares, “is making connections and helping the [AGA] membership as much as I can. Because of my background, and working with breed associations, I have a love for serving members – being able to assist them with their herds and any issues that may arise. I was so excited to find the position opening and felt like I would be a great fit in this role.”
Growing up in Greensburg, Indiana, Vanderbur is no stranger to farming and livestock, however, it wasn’t until she joined 4-H that her family began to focus on building their cow herd. She showed cattle throughout her 10 years in 4-H, and continued showing as a junior on the Indiana Beef Cattle Association circuit.
Following high school, Vanderbur enrolled at Purdue University, where she was an active member of the Block and Bridle Club and pursued internships within animal sciences outreach and breed association work. In December 2020, Vanderbur completed a bachelor of science in animal science, from Purdue University.
“We are fortunate for the opportunity to add Meg to our AGA staff ” says Megan Slater, AGA executive director. “She brings a well-suited set of talents and experience that make her a great fit for this role where she will work closely with AGA members and customers.”
Vanderbur will work out of the AGA headquarters office in Lincoln, Nebraska, and can be reached at 303-465-2333 or via email at meganv@gelbvieh.org
Location Announced for National Gelbvieh & Balancer® Show and Sale
Lincoln, Neb. – The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) board of directors met March 26-27, 2021, for their spring board meeting where a decision was made about the location of the 2022 National Gelbvieh and Balancer® Show and Sale. Following the AGA National Show Committee’s recommendation, the AGA board voted to hold the 2022 National Gelbvieh and Balancer Show and Sale at the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City.
Exhibitor feedback and show accommodations were taken into consideration during this discussion. Cattlemen’s Congress will be the location of the 2022 National Gelbvieh and Balancer Show and Sale, along with a junior show and pen show.
The AGA will share more information and schedules with its membership as it becomes available.
Harbert Hired as Gelbvieh Media Productions Coordinator
Lincoln, NE – The American Gelbvieh Association is pleased to announce the addition of Katie Harbert to the AGA staff as Gelbvieh Media Productions Coordinator. Harbert will be responsible for design, production, and ad sales of official AGA publications and will also provide design services for AGA members and the Association.
“I am so honored to join the dynamic team at AGA and utilize my skills and experiences to help grow Gelbvieh Media,” Katie shares, “I look forward to continuing to advance communication for the Association and its members. It is an exciting time to get involved in this rapidly-evolving industry.”
Harbert is originally from Kingman, Kansas, and is finishing her degree in agriculture communications and journalism at Kansas State University (KSU) where she will graduate in May 2021. During her time at KSU, Katie has served as an editor of numerous publications including the Royal Purple Yearbook, and has served as both a College of Agriculture Ambassador and president of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. Harbert was also awarded the 2020 Forrest Bassford Award during the 2020 Livestock Publications Council Annual Membership Meeting.
“Katie is a very talented young professional and has a wide range of skills in the field of agricultural communications,” says Megan Slater, AGA executive director. “We are excited to have her joining us at the AGA and helping us to grow the Gelbvieh and Balancer® message.”
Katie began her role with the AGA, in a part-time capacity, on January 11 and will assume a full-time role in the AGA office following graduation in May. Katie can be reached at katie@gelbvieh.org or 303-465-2333.
SEGA Gelbvieh Receives Breeder of the Year Award
On December 4, the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) presented the 2020 Breeder of the Year award to SEGA Gelbvieh, owned by Steve and Gail Fiolkoski of Pierce, Colorado. The award was presented during the awards banquet, which was held virtually.Located in short-grass country in Colorado, SEGA Gelbvieh’s seedstock operation specializes in Gelbvieh and Balancer® genetics and focuses on producing cattle made for the high mountains and plains. The operation offers a spring bull sale as well as a fall female sale that includes female consignments from other Gelbvieh producers.
The operation’s commitment to advancing and expanding sales opportunities for Gelbvieh genetics is exemplified by the Gelbvieh female consignments accepted in the fall females sale each year. By offering consignment opportunities, SEGA Gelbvieh not only creates a premium sales outlet for other producers but expands the reach of Gelbvieh genetics, as well.
Since 1990, the Fiolkoskis have served the AGA and its affiliates, as well as several other beef-promoting groups and associations. The many hours of dedication to promoting the Gelbvieh breed are evident in the leadership roles they have served. Over the years, Steve and Gail have been active in AGA, contributing their time and knowledge to several AGA committees. At the local level, both have served on the Colorado Gelbvieh Association Board, Rocky Mountain Junior Beef Expo Committee, Weld County Cattlemen’s Association and Fort Collins Co-Op Board.
Congratulations to Steve and Gail on SEGA Gelbvieh being honored as the 2020 AGA Breeder of the Year.
Gelbvieh Association Awards Commercial Producer of the Year
Loren Fischer of Nevada, Missouri, was honored as the American Gelbvieh Association’s (AGA) 2020 Commercial Producer of the Year during the awards banquet held virtually on December 5, 2020.
The AGA Commercial Producer of the Year Award honors individuals who use Gelbvieh and Balancer® genetics in progressive commercial cattle operations and are proactive in their promotion of the Gelbvieh and Balancer breeds.
Loren and his wife, Marcy, along with their five children, own and operate Fischer Cattle Company, a diversified cattle and farming operation located in west central Missouri, near the community of Rich Hill.
Currently, Fischer Cattle Company runs about 500 commercial cows and replacement females. Like many operations in Missouri, the Fischers split their herd into two calving seasons, with 60 percent calving in the fall and 40 percent calving in the spring.
Loren shares that he has been purchasing Balancer bulls for more than six years now and appreciates the added growth and performance he has seen from implementing a crossbreeding program. He notes that introducing Balancer bulls was a smart, profitable and easy choice for him, and has allowed him to maximize hybrid vigor in his herd.
“We were looking to make a change and get away from straight Angus; we wanted to see the gains of crossbreeding,” Fischer says, “We have been really happy with our calves. Our goal, just like everybody’s goal, is to put pounds on. We have done that and seen an improvement in the disposition of our calves.”
Fischer Cattle Company raises their own replacement heifers, and the added maternal strengths the genetics provide is another area of added value that Loren has found in the incorporation of Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics into his herd.
Known for both fertility and stayability, Gelbvieh genetics help to maximize cowherd profitability through good breed back and reproductive longevity. Both traits add up to more live calves on the ground throughout the herd life of a female and translate to increased herd profitability.
The Fischers also background their calves and have retained ownership in the feedyard for the last several years, making average daily gain, along with yield and grade, important components in the operation’s profitability.
Overall, Loren says that he is pleased with the results he has been seeing from Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics. And he attributes much of his operation’s genetic improvement and success in the commercial beef industry to the breeds’ genetics.
Congratulations to Loren Fischer, Fischer Cattle Company, for winning this prestigious award.