Media Releases
Gelbvieh Performance Advantage Program Recognizes 9 Breeders
The American Gelbvieh Association is proud to honor nine members from Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, Nevada, Missouri and Ohio for achieving Bronze, Silver or Gold status for the association’s Gelbvieh Performance Advantage program for the 2013 management year.
The Gelbvieh Performance Advantage (GPA) program was initiated in 2009 and recognizes AGA members who promote the performance aspects of their program through data collection. Nine members were recognized for the 2013 management year including two being honored with gold status, two with silver status, and five members being honored with bronze status.
The GPA program is unique within the seedstock industry and provides a tool for Gelbvieh producers, both small and large, to be recognized on records kept and data recorded in the previous calendar year.
“Participating members use the GPA program as a way to enhance customer experience as they provide a value-added service with the data they collect from their breeding program,” said Susan Willmon, American Gelbvieh Association director of breed improvement.
To attain GPA status, the AGA member must record performance data, use sires that meet or exceed established performance criteria, and implement technologies such as DNA testing, ultrasound, and A.I. in their programs.
In order for a member to achieve GPA Gold status, producers must collect and submit data on the highest percentage of performance data points. These herds practice A.I. breeding, DNA testing on calves and select sires to enhance breed improvement goals. Attaining this level requires 300 points.
Attaining GPA Silver status requires producers to collect data on animals later in their production cycle, in addition to standard types of measurement. This can include complete yearling data on females and mature cows, ultrasound data and DNA testing. A minimum of 200 points are required to achieve this level.
GPA Bronze status entails gathering performance data above the minimum standards set for the breed. Typically, a mix of performance data collection, DNA testing and sire selection standards categorizes a breeder at this level. A total of 100 points are needed to achieve this level.
Congratulations to this year’s award winners.
Gold status award winners
- Ginger Ertle, Greentop, Mo.
- John Huston Cattle Co., New Carlisle, Ohio
Silver status award winners
- Jean McWilliams, Orovada, Nev.
- Judd Ranch, Pomona, Kan.
Bronze status award winners
- Cranview Gelbvieh, Minot, N.D.
- McClatchey Cattle Company, Palisade, Neb.
- MLM Gelbvieh, Superior, Neb.
- Rippe Gelbvieh, Hubbell, Neb.
- Sandy Knoll Farms, St. John, Kan.
Gelbvieh $Cow Provides Maternal Productivity Selection Index
The Gelbvieh breed has a well-earned reputation as a strong maternal breed. In order to quantify those strengths the American Gelbvieh Association has engaged in research and development of EPDs and indexes to measure maternal traits. The results of this research are the creation of new tools to select for maternal productivity in Gelbvieh and Balancer® animals.
The American Gelbvieh Association has partnered with Dr. Mike MacNeil, PhD., of Delta G to develop the $Cow economic selection index. $Cow represents the genetic value in dollars of profit of an animal when retained as a replacement female relative to other animals in the herd. A higher number represents more profitable genetics for maternal productivity.
“$Cow will serve producers in selecting bulls that will sire daughters with stayability and reproductive efficiency as well as other traits that lead to profitability in a production system,” says Kari White, American Gelbvieh Association breed improvement data analyst.
The $Cow index includes several traits. The most essential of these traits are heifer pregnancy, 30-month pregnancy, and stayability.
The heifer pregnancy (HP) EPD predicts the probability that a bull’s daughters will become pregnant as first-calf heifers in a regular breeding season, expressed as a percent. A higher value of this EPD is favorable, meaning that a higher percentage of a sire’s daughters get pregnant as first calf heifers compared to other sires in his contemporary group.
Exclusive to the Gelbvieh Association’s $Cow index is the inclusion of a 30-month pregnancy (Pg30) EPD. The Pg30 EPD predicts the probability that a bull’s daughters will become pregnant and calve at three years of age, given that they calved as first-calf heifers. This EPD is expressed as a percent, again, with a higher number being more favorable meaning a higher percentage of a sire’s daughters will calve at three years of age, given they calved as first-calf heifers
The stayability (ST) EPDs represents the genetic difference, in terms of percent probability, that a bull’s daughters will stay productive within a herd to at least six years of age.
$Cow incorporates other traits that affect the profitability of a female in a production system. These traits include milk, calving ease, moderate mature weight and the ability of calves to gain. A female’s genetics also influence the performance of her calves in the feedlot and at slaughter so traits such as feed efficiency and carcass value are also included in $Cow.
By selecting on $Cow, cattle producers will make genetic improvement on economically relevant traits leading to improved maternal productivity.
Susan Willmon, director of breed improvement with the American Gelbvieh Association stated, “We continue to work with AGA members and commercial producers to create genetic tools that have economic relevance. $Cow will help producers to select more productive females to maximize profitability through their maternal genetics.”
For detailed information regarding $Cow visit the EPD Research page at Gelbvieh.org.
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Gelbvieh Feed Efficiency Index Can Improve Your Profitability
Providing the best and most reliable tools for genetic evaluation to Gelbvieh and Balancer® breeders and their commercial customers is a key principle of the American Gelbvieh Association. With that goal in mind, the AGA has developed an economic selection index to measure feed efficiency.
The American Gelbvieh Association has introduced the efficiency profit index (EPI) index to aid producers in selection for more feed efficient cattle that still have acceptable amounts of gain. The EPI was developed with the assistance of Patrick Doyle, PhD, Chico State University associate professor in breeding and genetics. By selecting on this index, producers will also be selecting for more profitable cattle as a result of the economic weights in the index.
“The greatest potential for improving profitability in beef production is to improve feed efficiency. We invested in a GrowSafe® system and have tested over 1,500 individual animals for feed efficiency. We are seeing the rewards from selecting feed efficient genetics,” says Vaughn Thorstenson, Lazy TV Ranch, located at Selby, S.D.
The EPI provides marginal negative pressure on intake, while keeping gain at a constant value. By selecting on this index, producers will be able to find those animals that gain the same amount as their contemporaries while eating less.
Long-time Midland Bull Test consignor Ken Flikkema, Middle Creek Farms, Bozeman, Mont., states, “It’s not about identifying cattle that only eat less, it’s about finding the ones that eat less and gain more. By measuring feed intake of each bull on test, genetics of bulls can be compared for feed efficiency just as they are compared for growth, carcass, and other traits.”
The American Gelbvieh Association currently has intake EPDs and the EPI on more than 25,000 Gelbvieh and Balancer animals.
“The American Gelbvieh Association has a large data set of intake records thanks to several members installing their own GrowSafe systems. Increasingly, other members are utilizing central testing facilities for the collection of feed efficiency data,” said Susan Willmon, AGA director of breed improvement. “Several Gelbvieh and Balancer sires have over 50 progeny tested across multiple test locations adding to the accuracy and increased reliability of the index and component EPDs. We are excited to see the increased consideration of this economically relevant trait as members and commercial producers select genetics that will influence future generations.”
Profitability of animals in the feedlot has been typically based on the income achieved through gain and final weight, minus the cost of gain estimated from feed consumed. While gain and weight could be measured on individual animals, feed costs were attributed to animals equally across a pen. Adding the dry matter intake (DMI) component into the EPI allows for allocation of a lower cost of gain to those animals that are more efficient. Selection for a greater EPI value will result in pressure for lower DMI values, at adequate gains to insure overall profitability.
For more information regarding the efficiency profit index, visit the research EPD page on the American Gelbvieh Association website at www.www.gelbvieh.org.
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Megan Slater Hired as Gelbvieh Communications Intern
The American Gelbvieh Association announces the hiring of Megan Slater, Longmont, Colo., as a communications intern. Slater is interning with the Association’s breed promotion and communications department for the months of June, July and August.
Slater graduated from Colorado State University in May of 2014, with a degree in animal science and a minor in business administration. She was a member of the 2013-2014 CSU Seedstock Merchandising Team. While on the team, she co-chaired the written promotions committee that included managing the team website, creating and updating a Facebook page, composing and sending out newsletters, and putting together the annual bull sale catalog.
“Working for a breed association is a career goal of mine. I am very excited to be working for the American Gelbvieh Association this summer and look forward to using my skills to assist in promoting the breed and supporting members,” Slater said.
As the communications intern, Slater will be responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of member education services and programs to enhance the AGA member experience, promoting the brand image of the AGA, Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle, and supporting the goals of the American Gelbvieh Foundation.
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Sioux Falls Site of Gelbvieh Junior National Show
Gelbvieh junior members and their families, from across the country, will gather in Sioux Falls, S.D., the first week in July for the 2014 American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) Junior Classic. Named by the host state, the 2014 AGJA Barnyard Classic will begin on Sunday, June 29 and will conclude on Friday, July 4. The show will be held at the WH Lyon Fairgrounds and is hosted by the South Dakota Gelbvieh Junior Association.
“The annual AGJA Junior Classic challenges youth to build skills to become future leaders in the beef industry. Throughout the week, Gelbvieh juniors compete in more than 20 different leadership and educational contests. The educational contests offer youth the ability to gain life-long skills and increase their knowledge of beef production,” said Carrie Tilghman, American Gelbvieh Association junior activities coordinator.
The Junior Classic is open to members of the AGJA ages eight to 21. The AGJA anticipates, based on preliminary entries for the Barnyard Classic, there will be approximately 240 Gelbvieh and Balancer® females, bulls and steers exhibited by 135 youth.
During the first half of the week, members will participate and compete in educational activities and contests.
“The educational contests offer youth the ability to gain life-long skills and increase their knowledge of beef production. Prizes are awarded to the top individuals in each of the contests. As well, juniors compete for points to be named the top all-around winner,” added Tilghman.
The week concludes with the showmanship contest and the cattle shows. On Thursday, July 3, starting at 8:00 a.m., Brad Gohr of Madras, Ore., will evaluate the showmanship contest, followed by the AGJA national Balancer female show.
On Friday, July 4, again starting at 8:00 a.m., Lydell Meier of Clinton, Tenn., will judge the remainder of the cattle shows including steers, bred and owned Balancer bulls, bred and owned Gelbvieh bulls and the national Gelbvieh female show.
“The South Dakota Gelbvieh juniors have been working hard to put on a memorable Junior Classic. We have a fun-filled week planed for junior Gelbvieh members and their families,” said Anna Duxbury, Wessington, S.D., president of the South Dakota Gelbvieh Junior Association. “The Junior Classic helps promote youth to become future leaders not only within the Gelbvieh breed but within the beef industry as a whole."
he American Gelbvieh Junior Association serves more than 500 members nationally. The vision of the AGJA is to unify, educate, and develop leaders of the beef industry. To learn more about Gelbvieh or the American Gelbvieh Junior Association visit www.www.gelbvieh.org.
The following is a complete schedule for the 2014 AGJA Barnyard Classic. Unless otherwise stated, all activities will take place at the WH Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Sunday, June 29
8:00 a.m. – Cattle allowed in barns
1:00 p.m. – Come and go check-in 4:00 p.m.; Mentor/protégé orientation
4:30 p.m. – AGJA skill-a-thon contest orientation and educational session
6:00 p.m. – Dinner
7:00 p.m. – Opening ceremonies
8:30 p.m. – Board candidate orientation
9:00 p.m. – AGJA dance – hotel
Monday, June 30
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast, sponsored
8:00 a.m. – Sales talk contest
Noon – Lunch, sponsored
1:00 p.m. – Skillathon contest
3:00 p.m. – Start impromptu contest preparation
3:30 p.m. – Impromptu contest
4:15 p.m. – Ambassador interviews
5:00 p.m. – Steer weigh-in
6:00 p.m. – Dinner, sponsored; Board candidate interviews
Tuesday, July 1
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast, sponsored
8:00 a.m. – Sullivan’s Stock Show University pick your curriculum clinic & leg workshop
9:30 a.m. – Team fitting set up
10:00 a.m. – Sullivan Supply/ Stock Show University team fitting contest
12:30 p.m. – Lunch, sponsored
2:00 p.m. – Quiz bowl preliminary rounds
6:00 p.m. – Dinner, sponsored, immediately followed by quiz bowl finals
Wednesday, July 2
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast, sponsored
7:30 a.m. – Judging contest registration
8:00 a.m. – Judging contest
9:00 a.m. – Scott Gemar Memorial golf outing
Noon – Lunch, sponsored
1:00 p.m. – Fun Day at Wild Water West – bus transportation provided
5:30 p.m. – AGJA annual meeting and board election
Dinner on your own
Thursday, July 3
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast, sponsored
8:00 a.m. – Sullivan Supply/ Stock Show University AGJA national showmanship contest, followed by the AGJA national Balancer® female show
Noon – Grab & go lunch, sponsored
7:00 p.m. – AGJA awards banquet
Friday, July 4
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast, sponsored
8:00 a.m. – AGJA national steer show, AGJA national Balancer bred & owned bull show, AGJA national bred & owned Gelbvieh bull show, followed by AGJA national Gelbvieh female show
Noon – Grab & go lunch, sponsored
6:00 p.m. – Dinner, sponsored, activities and fireworks
Maternal efficiency of Gelbvieh and Balancer® females
Cow-calf producers want females in their breeding herds that combine efficiency with productivity, balancing weaning weight of calves with amount of feed put into the cow. Gelbvieh and Balancer® females fill that spot for hard-working females that will last in your herd for years to come.
While cattlemen and women have known for years that Gelbvieh means consistent and reliable females, Gelbvieh maternal efficiency is more than just word of mouth. Studies support Gelbvieh performance in maternal traits compared to other breeds. But how do these traits benefit commercial producers? There are several maternal traits that Gelbvieh excels at that help you watch your operation's bottom line.
Gelbvieh replacement heifers are younger at puberty
According to the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) Cycle VII report, Gelbvieh females reach puberty at the youngest age and at the lightest body weight of any major beef breed. Studies have shown that heifers that reach puberty earlier in life can potentially conceive earlier in the breeding season, giving them more time to recover after calving and therefore contributing to on-time calving later in life. This means that reproductively efficient heifers can contribute to concise calving seasons.
Heavier weaning weights with moderate birth weight
Calves with Gelbvieh and Balancer® sires have also shown to have greater weaning weights compared to calves sired by other breeds, while still maintaining a moderate birth weight (Charts 1 and 2). No mystery here; heavier calves at weaning mean more money in the pocket for commercial cow-calf producers that sell at that time.
"One of the only, yet very effective ways, to improve biological efficiency of beef cattle production systems is through the use of planned crossbreeding systems to leverage heterosis, especially maternal heterosis, and breed complementarity. Crossbreeding has been shown to be an efficient method to improve reproductive efficiency and productivity in beef cattle," comments Dr. Bob Weaber.
"One must remember that hybrid vigor is the percent increased performance between the average of the two parent breeds. This means that high quality genetic inputs are necessary to gain performance through heterosis – garbage in, garbage out," said Dr. Bob Hough. "With the proper genetic inputs, lifetime pounds weaned per cow exposed can be increased by as much as 25 percent."