W ILKINSON G ELBVIEH R ANCH Wilkinson Gelbvieh Ranch

Model, CO is located in the arid prairie of SE Colorado., between Trinidad and LaJunta. Bill and Nancy own around 250 Gelbvieh and Balancer cows, about half of which are registered. Their daughter, Sydney, has recently returned to the ranch, working for CSU Extension as a Regional Specialist for Rural Engagement. Together, the three of them make up Wilkinson Gelbvieh Ranch.

The land has been in Bill’s family since the early 1950s, when his parents, Charles and Jo Wilkinson, moved their sheep and Hereford cows from the family’s ranch in the Hill Country of Texas. Charles laid the foundation for the Colorado ranch, with his forwardthinking conservation and infrastructure practices - all of which have greatly benefited the Wilkinsons in their operation.

Growing up with Herefords, Bill made some big changes in the ranch’s genetics. After obtaining an Animal Science degree from CSU, then managing a registered Limousin herd in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, Bill moved to West Texas in the early-1980s to manage a ranch there, bringing his Herdbuilder Gold Strike son, a PB Gelbvieh cow and a yearling heifer. He had based his decision to move to the Gelbvieh breed on the landmark 1980’s MARC study, which showed the breed’s superiority in both performance and maternal characteristics. During his time in Crane, Bill met and married Nancy, added Sydney to their family and returned to Colorado in 1990, with 2 PB bulls, 10 PB cows, 15 half-blood females and 65 head of crossbred cows.

Back in Colorado, they went to work to develop their Gelbvieh herd, through select purchases and use of AI and ET. They used Angus sires as the logical choice for breeding heifers and, after seeing the acceptance and marketability of the Gelbvieh-Angus cattle, they began to incorporate Angus genetics into their mature Gelbvieh cowherd. So, when the Balancer program was implemented, the Wilkinsons easily took advantage of the new opportunity.

The environment of SE Colorado can be difficult, but the Gelbvieh cow excels. Forage is almost always in short supply and can be pretty spread out, so the Wilkinsons emphasize the traits that produce cattle which can travel and maintain body condition. Over the years, they have found a following of customers who trust their Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls to do just that. After trying several marketing options, they have now settled into what seems to work best - a Spring Private Treaty Bull Sale, offering replacement heifers in the Spring and bred females in the Fall. Bill and Nancy also maintain a Gelbviehbased commercial herd. With SE Colorado’s environment, cow numbers need to be flex- ible. So, after the 2nd or 3rd drought cycle, they began to re-emphasize having a quality commercial herd, which can more quickly realize their value when there is a need to reduce numbers.

From the beginning, the Wilkinsons have been actively involved in the promotion and development of the Breed, through Association membership and cattle exhibition at local, state, and national levels. Bill and Nancy have each served as CGA President and both have served two terms on the AGA Board of Directors, with Bill serving 2 years as AGA President (2002-2003). Meanwhile, Sydney was an active participant in the AGJA, annually attending the Junior Classic and serving on the AGJA Board. Nancy was also honored in 1997 as the AGA’s Member of the Year.

“The history of the Gelbvieh breed is a tribute to so many people and we are proud to have been a part of that history since 1986. The road has been a little hard to navigate at times and has had its ups and downs, but we are proud to have been on this path. We are excited to stay the course and see what the next 50 years will bring for the Wilkinson family and the Gelbvieh breed.”