February 2021 Profit Picture by American Gelbvieh Association

THE

PROFITPICTURE

FEBRUARY 2021

MAINTAINING PROFITABILITY in a Modern Beef Industry

Matrons of

l agic MaternaM

TJB

Anissa 149X

TJB Anissa 149X is the female we have chosen to lead our “Matrons of Maternal Magic” campaign. At 10 years of age, this female is still one of the most impressive females we have ever raised. She is massively designed in a tremendously moderate frame. Her feet and leg structure and udder quality are still flawless. She is the 5th generation of the “Anissa Family” that has found the donor pen tracing back to BB61Y (dam of SLC Freedom). The “Maternal Magic” theme and logo was instituted in the 90’s and is truer than ever today. Through our cooperator program with the Taylor family in Kentucky, we are now generating over 125 ET calves from the best of our best. We are thrilled to announce the addition of Tom Murphy to TJB Gelbvieh. What an honor it is to incorporate a great friend and fellow breeder with the same passion about Gelbvieh to accelerate the advancement of this herd. Feel free to contact either of us to visit about the upcoming Genetic Opportunities!

Genetic Opportunities

4.10.21 TJB/Three T Farms Bull Sale 5.16.21 Online Dozen Divas Sale 4.11.21 Online Embryo Sale 6.20.21 Online Bred Heifer Sale 11.6.21 Maternal Magic Bull Sale X TODD, ALISA, & KATELYN BICKETT, BO & KELSIE WILSON

Chickamauga, GA | (423) 667-3799 Tom Murphy, Ranch Manager (308) 470-0001

tjbgelbvieh.com

Cattlemen’s Connection Get the Bulls You Want with Just One Phone Call

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CONTENTS FEATURES Herd Health is a Team Effort .................................................................................................................... 6 Building a strong relationship with your veterinarian is one of the most important factors to keep in mind when thinking about a complete herd health plan. By Nicole Richardson

Adding Value to Your Cattle, What Buyers are Really Looking For...................................................... 10 During the 2020 Stockman and Stewardship virtual event, Danny Jones shared with producers the opportunities they have to provide what buyers are looking for. By Laura Handke

Realistic Pregnancy Expectations for the Beef Herd .............................................................................. 14 Ky Pohler, Texas A&M Department of Animal Sciences, shares insight on realistic expectations for pregnancy rates in a beef herd when using reproductive technologies. By Laura Handke

Use Numbers Correctly This Breeding Season....................................................................................... 18 Utilize expected progeny differences (EPD) and economic selection indices when selecting your next group of bulls. By University of Nebraska-Lincoln Beef Genetics Specialist, Matt Spangler

Gelbvieh and BalancerÂŽ from Pasture to Plate ..................................................................................... 28 Gelbvieh and Balancer owners share how the breeds meet production goals and consumer expectations. By Malerie Strahm

Winter Bull Management ....................................................................................................................... 32 A sound and fertile bull can mean the difference between success or failure of next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s calf crop, read how to promote soundness and fertility using these management strategies. By Ben Beckman, Beef Systems Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

MU Beef Researchers Find Improved Efficiency with New Synch Protocol .......................................... 46 Jordan Thomas, University of Missouri, shares how a new synch protocol can lead to reproductive efficiency. By University of Missouri and Laura Handke

The Profit Picture is the commercially-focused publication published in February and September by the American Gelbvieh Association focused on issues relevant to the commercial cow-calf producer.

REQUEST YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION Sign up to receive your free subscription to The Profit Picture by subscribing online or completing this form and mailing to American Gelbvieh Association, attn: Profit Picture, 1001 S. 70th St., Suite 215, Lincoln, NE 68510. Comments and feedback welcome to info@gelbvieh.org or 303-465-2333. 2 | FEBRUARY 2021

Name________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________________ Subscribe online at www.gelbvieh.org/news/publications/ profit-picture/

KNOLL CREST FARM

SELLING 100 BULLS & 80 COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFERS

KCF Bennett E906

KCF Bennett C912 WW

MILK

MARB

REA

FPI INDEX

MILK

MARB

REA

FPI INDEX

oll Cr t Bulls es

rs ea

½ Angus, ½ Gelbvieh. Like his sire, E906 sires slick haired, sound structured, heavy muscled calves with an ample amount of growth. He ranks Top 10% WW, 2% YW, 10% TM, 1% CW, 3% REA, 10% FPI.

Serving the beef industry since 1944

+14 -0.1 +88 +149 +20 +67 +0.40 +0.99 +92.85

+14 -0.4 +71 +121 +15 +42 +0.75 +0.71 +91.07 5/8 Angus, 3/8 Gelbvieh. C912 is a powerful, thick, moderate, slick haired sire who calves easy and stamps his progeny with extra muscle and fleshing ability. He ranks Top 10% WW, 5% YW, 15% REA, 3% Marbling, 1% FPI.

77 or

H 12 Month Unconditional Guarantee H Nationwide Delivery Available H Comprehensive data on every bull H Genomically Enhanced EPDs KCF Bennett B501 YW

MILK

MARB

REA

FEATURING

FPI INDEX

+12 +0.5 +90 +131 +26 +51 +0.35 +0.60 +89.84

30 Elite Registered Angus and Hereford Bred Heifers from the heart of the Knoll Crest replacements

1/2 Angus, 1/2 Gelbvieh. B501 was the standout individual in his calf crop and is seeing heavy service at Knoll Crest. He is designed to excel at every stage of production. He ranks top 2% WW, 2% YW, 5% TM, 15% CW, 35% REA, 35% Marbling, 4% FPI.

KCF Bennett E158 CE

MILK

MARB

REA

Purebred Gelbvieh. E158 was the high selling Gelbvieh bull in our April 2018 sale, selling to Genex. He combines breed leading growth and maternal traits into a sound structred, functional package. He ranks Top 1% WW, 1% YW, 10% Milk, 1% TM, 10% HP, 1% CW, 20% REA, 2% FPI.

GELBVIEH, BALANCER, ANGUS AND HEREFORD BULLS

BULL & FEMALE SATURDAY

Sale book available upon request PRE-REGISTER for the Sale at www.KNOLLCRESTFARM.com or by scanning the QR Code

P.O. Box 117 • Red House, Virginia 23963 Martha Johnson, Office Manager (434) 376-3567 knollcrest@knollcrestfarm.com

James D. Bennett (434) 376-7299 Paul S. Bennett (434) 941-8245 Dalton G. Bennett (434) 664-7946

FPI INDEX

+9 +1.1 +93 +148 +28 +54 +0.23 +0.92 +89.91

APRIL 10, 2021 Serving the beef industry since 1944

Jim G. Bennett (434) 664-7935 Brian R. Bennett (434) 664-8309 Scott R. Bennett (434) 660-7268

CONTENTS

EDITORIAL

AGA Registry Uses for the Commercial Producer ..... 4

Love What You Do .................................................... 38

Beef Demand’s Next Frontier ................................... 20

EPD Education: Back to the Basics ........................... 52

By Taylor Buckley, AGA Data Services Coordinator By Dustin Aherin, AGA Board Member

Genetics Drive Efficiency .......................................... 24 By Megan Slater, AGA Executive Director

Powles Ranch Partnership ........................................ 36 By Tom Strahm, AGA Commercial Marketing Director and Jana Powles Jensen

IN EVERY ISSUE

By Cody Forbes, American Gelbvieh Junior Association By Tonya Amen, Ph.D., AGA Breed Improvement Consultant

2020 in the Rearview Mirror: A Year of Success ..... 56 By Megan Slater, AGA Executive Director

Genetics and Services to Meet Industry Demands.... 60 By Tom Strahm: AGA Commercial Marketing Director

BREEDERS CORNER SECTIONS

Events of Interest

78-80

Ad Index 96

Breeders Corner Service Center

Western/Upper Midwest

Upper Midwest

Northeast/Southeast 88 Southern 91

CONTACTS

Midwest 93-94 1001 S. 70th St., Suite 215 Lincoln, NE 68510 Main phone: 303-465-2333 Fax: 303-465-2339 www.gelbvieh.org info@gelbvieh.org Facebook: American Gelbvieh Association Instagram: americangelbvieh

ASSOCIATION STAFF Megan Slater Executive Director megans@gelbvieh.org Tom Strahm Commercial Marketing Director tom@gelbvieh.org 785-547-7999 Taylor Buckley Data Service Coordinator taylorb@gelbvieh.org Barb Standage Office Operations Coordinator barb@gelbvieh.org Lindsay Upperman Performance Programs Coordinator lindsay@gelbvieh.org

4 | FEBRUARY 2021

Laura Handke Editorial Contractor laura@gelbvieh.org Jake Renner Member and Youth Activities Coordinator jake@gelbvieh.org Malerie Strahm Multimedia Coordinator malerie@gelbvieh.org Katie Harbert Gelbvieh Media Productions Coordinator katie@gelbvieh.org

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dan McCarty, President (2020) Rifle, CO • 970-481-5217 mccartycattle@hotmail.com Klint Sickler, Vice President (2019) Gladstone, ND • 701-483-5250 klintsickler@hotmail.com

Derek Martin, Treasurer (2020) Bucklin, KS • 620-397-6752 dmartin@kinsleyfeeders.com John Carrel, Secretary (2019) Columbus, MT • 406-322-5991 lauriecarrel@live.com

DIRECTORS Dustin Aherin (2020) St. Charles, MO • 785-302-1252 dgaherin@vet.k-state.edu

Andrea Murray (2018) Kingfisher, OK • 405-368-9601 murrayfarm@pldi.net

Todd Bickett, DVM (2018) Chickamauga, GA • 423-667-3799 todd@bickettgenetics.com

William McIntosh (2020) Georgetown, KY •502-867-3132 wammb@aol.com

Leland Clark (2019) Barnard, KS • 785-792-6244 prcc@twinvalley.net

Randy Sienknecht (2018) Gladbrook, IA • 319-290-3763 rmsink1209@msn.com

Mark Covington (2019) Montrose, CO • 970-209-1956 covinginc@hotmail.com

Jeff Swanson (2018) Oxford, NE • 308-290-3763 swansoncattleco@yahoo.com

Jeff Loveless (2017) Spanish Fork, UT • 801-623-8308 olranch@aol.com

Tom Vehige ( 2019) Billings, MO • 417-772-2002 tbarscattle@gmail.com

Lori Maude (2018) Hermosa, SD • 303-809-3789 lori.maude@gmail.com

CONTENTS NEWS 2020 in the Rearview Mirror ................................................................................................................. 52 Gelbvieh Association Awards Commercial Producer of the Year ......................................................... 66 SEGA Gelbvieh Honored as Breeder of the Year ................................................................................. 68 AGA Inducts Longtime Association Supporter to Hall of Fame ............................................................ 70 AGA Elects Board of Directors ................................................................................................................ 72 Fifth Annual Gelbvieh Foundation Carcass Contest Results .................................................................. 74 Gelbvieh Association Carcass Data Collection Project ......................................................................... 76

Crossbreeding

GELBVIEH& BALANCER is easy with

“the Continental breed of choice”

Gelbvieh and Balancer ® genetics deliver maternal superiority in planned crossbreeding systems. Highly productive cows with adaptability, versatility, and stayability can have a positive impact on your bottom line.

6 | FEBRUARY 2021

gelbvieh.org

Annual Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale

Saturday, March 6, 2021 12:30 PM • Joplin Regional Stockyards • Carthage, Missouri

50+ Black & Red 12 - 18-month-old Bulls *Several Homo Black and Homo Polled

*Genomic EPDs - calving ease and performance with eye appeal! *All bulls sell with BSE and negative trich test *First breeding season guarantee! *Many bulls out of breed leading AI sires!

20 + Gelbvieh and Balancer Fancy Open Heifers *All females pelvic measured & reproductive scored

Offering progeny from our 2019 National Western Stock Show Grand Champion Gelbvieh Bull

HTFM MR. EQUALIZER E711 Reg: AMGV1393438

HILLTOP FARMS

Videos and sale offering can be viewed on

• Committed to Raising Quality Seedstock •

27720 Barton Co Blvd, Asbury, MO 64832 Elmer: (417) 529-0081 Brad: (417) 529-7556 Benny: (417) 529-6436 Email: hilltop-farms@hotmail.com For a sale catalog, call or go online

WWW.HILLTOP-FARMS.COM Hilltop Farms Gelbvieh & Balancers

Put a bull with the

brand to work for you for more pounds & profit!

FEATURE

Herd Health is a Team Effort By Nicole Richardson Building a strong relationship with your veterinarian is one of the most important factors to keep in mind when thinking about a complete herd health plan. “The first lesson I learned in cattle production was there is a lot of stuff I don’t know, and you are humbled very fast,” says Quentin Dailey, a cow-calf producer from Lexington, Nebraska, of the importance of creating a relationship with a veterinarian. Weather is one of the biggest challenges facing livestock producers, especially in the Midwest. Large temperature swings and precipitation changes, at the drop of a hat, wreak havoc on herd health. Knowing this, prevention and having a herd health plan in place are the best ways to stay ahead of these challenges. “We have great cattle producers in the state of Nebraska and most of them are very forward-thinking,” says Beck Funk, assistant professor of practice and animal health teaching and extension specialist for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. And many of those producers know that planning for things to not go as planned can make all the difference. “The best laid-out plan can still humble you, disaster still strikes,” says Dailey.

8 | FEBRUARY 2021

The key to preventing it from becoming a larger disaster is establishing the relationship with your vet and laying out a plan. Fostering that relationship throughout the year will create a more open discussion with your veterinarian and establishing a relationship beyond emergency calls builds respect and appreciation for one another. “We just stop in and talk to the veterinarians in the office; I think the vets appreciate having a good relationship like that. Last year during weaning we observed a problem, so we discussed the issue throughout the year and had a plan together when we went into weaning this year,” says Dailey. Some producers fail to remember that aside from having a dedication to their herd, they also have legal obligations to meet. Veterinarians cannot write a VFD if they do not personally know and understand the operation. With ever-changing technology and regulations, it’s important to maintain that line of communication with a veterinarian. A veterinarian’s goal is to be a part of the producer’s management team—just like the other trusted advisors a producer calls upon to help them achieve their goals— utilizing a veterinarian and their expertise will keep a herd on the right track. “It is about recognizing and fostering those relationships to make sure you are all working in the same direction,” Funk says.

The most important starting point in a new producerveterinarian relationship is discussing the long-term goals. These conversations will lay out the foundation of the herd health plan and determine how it will function, establishing the plan from pre-conditioning to sale will help manage any issues that arise before they happen. Unfortunately, with the shortage of rural, large animal veterinarians, building a relationship can be challenging. Many producers in rural areas do not have access to a large animal veterinarian, let alone an office with multiple doctors. “Practice areas are getting very large and hard to cover. The best option, if you’re in that situation, would be to look at adding another vet to the relationship,” Funk says of the importance of keeping the lines of communication open with a veterinarian. Even if their location is farther away, maybe a different veterinarian is a good fit to help with herd management. Spreading out duties between multiple veterinarians can also help to keep options open, especially during the busy season or during emergencies.

FEATURE

Dr. Funk stresses how important it is to welcome new graduates to your area.

“A rural lifestyle is a culture shock for many of them, so a lot of community support is important. Everyone has to start somewhere, so be supportive of them,” she says. To acclimate to the community and set roots to provide long-term service, new graduates need to feel welcomed. Reaching out to and bringing new veterinarians into your group of trusted advisors is a great way to ensure they are getting experience and networking while allowing you to expand your team. At the end of the day, utilizing the knowledge of your veterinarian, whenever possible, and making the most of those relationships will not only keep your veterinarian in-tune with what is happening in your operation, but also ensure that your herd has the opportunity to meet its genetic potential and remain healthy—a healthy herd is a more profitable herd. This conversation was shared during the 2020 Stockman and Stewardship virtual series, produced by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. FF

12TH Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale

March 19, 2021 • Creston Livestock Auction, Creston, IA

All bulls are feed efficiency tested and ultra sounded. Heifers have GE EPDs.

Michael Bauer MJBC Gelbvieh Audubon, IA 712-304-4320 Mjbauer4320@hotmail.com Gary Martens Martens Gelbvieh Walnut, IA 712-764-5007 (home) 712-249-5744 (cell) martensgl@yahoo.com

Call Cody Fry at Creston Livestock Auction (641-344-5082) at least 2 days before sale to qualify bid numbers.

Jim McCreary Mount Ayr , IA 641-464-3178 (Home) 641-234-0039 (Cell) Carl Reiste Rafter R Gelbvieh Adel, IA 515-490-3561 creiste.rafterr@yahoo.com For online bidding: www.cattle.usa and click on www.crestonlivestock.com

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 9

FEATURE

Adding Value to Your Cattle, What Buyers are Really Looking For By Laura Handke

Health

Healthy cattle are well-doing cattle and have a greater opportunity to reach their genetic potential. As a pioneer in health-incentive programs, Superior Livestock has helped to change the baseline.

ith over 30 years in the livestock industry, Superior Livestock Auction President, Danny Jones, deals with all facets of cattle sales, experience that gives him a unique perspective on how producers can not only add value, but realize the financial gain from that added value.

“When these premiums (health incentives) started being measured, they were measured from unvaccinated “It’s important to remember that with all you do to add cattle,” Jones says. “In 2013, it was determined that we had value to your cattle, it doesn’t do much good until you to change that because there were so few unvaccinated figure out how to realize that value and get paid for what cattle being sold through Superior that we you are adding,” Jones says. had to move the base level up to VAC 24 During the 2020 Stockman (calves vaccinated on cows at 2 to 4 months he AGA is also focused and Stewardship virtual event, of age). It has benefited the industry and on commercial Jones shared with producers become a standard.” the opportunities they have to producers and delivers Data shows that the further a producer provide what buyers are looking goes with vaccination programs, the more programs that allow for. money those calves are worth.

Jones says there are four main categories where producers can add value to their feeder calves: • Health • Quality

commercial producers to capitalize on the benefits of Gelbvieh and Balancer®influenced calves.

• Value-Added Programs • Marketing “If you cover those four bases you are doing a good job,” says Jones. Jones shares with producers the first thing they should be looking at is knowing what you’re offering—the price difference between steers, heifers and split loads, sharing that when you sell heifers at price back. “It becomes an important topic when you think about some ranches having one load of steers, one load of heifers and a split load,” Jones says. “When you sell those heifers, you sell them at a price back, and you want that price to be appropriate according to what the market has dictated it should be, otherwise you cripple yourself if you try to put the heifers too little back of the steers.”

10 | FEBRUARY 2021

Another value opportunity producers can deliver is a longer weaning time. “A 60-day weaning is worth quite a bit more than a 45,” Jones says of the foundation buyers are willing to pay for.

Quality You cannot out-manage genetics. Incorporating proven genetics is valuable to every stakeholder in the beef production chain, and both Superior and the American Gelbvieh Association are helping producers realize this value. Superior Livestock offers “Superior Advantage” program by identifying load lots of cattle selling on Superior Livestock Auctions, that are entirely sired by industryleading genetics. The AGA is also focused on commercial producers and delivers programs that allow commercial producers to capitalize on the benefits of Gelbvieh and Balancer®influenced calves.

29th Annual

GELBVIEH & BALANCER DITKA

Production Sale

ASTRO

SILVER DOLLAR

GREAT DIVIDE

CHIEF JUSTICE

SALE OFFERING - 120 REGISTERED BULLS AND 70 REGISTERED HEIFERS AVAILABLE PRIVATE TREATY - 400 HIGH QUALITY COMMERCIAL HEIFERS

MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021 New Location!

1:00 PM

AT THE RANCH, WEST OF LAKE PRESTON 43968 208th Street • Lake Preston, SD

PERFORMANCE GENETICS Find us on

Facebook www.HojerRanch.com hojer@hojerranch.com

FOR YOUR TOMORROW

Alan & Pam | Blake & Jenn 43968 208th Street, Lake Preston, SD 57249

Ranch: 605-860-1326 Blake cell: 605-860-0139

UNABLE TO ATTEND?

WATCH AND BID ON DVACTION

FEATURE

The Carcass Data Collection Project is the AGA’s latest breed improvement program and is designed to provide marketable genetic information and enhance the predictability of current selection tools. The program provides an avenue for harvest data on terminal cattle to be paired with genotypes and incorporated into the genetic evaluation.

Value-Added Programs Program cattle have remained consistent over the past several years despite fluctuations in the market. And although there are a lot of third-party programs to choose from, Jones says, there is value in incorporating multiple and assures that navigating the requirements isn’t as hard as many believe. “You (producers) can get those programs bundled together. You would be surprised how much of the programming overlaps and how much easier it is to manage multiple programs. The first one’s the hardest, but after that, having seven instead of five isn’t any more difficult and it’s also more cost effective to bundle programs together,” he says. Jones says that both Superior reps and industry partners such as IMI Global can help producers navigate programs to better understand and help with implementation.

12 | FEBRUARY 2021

Source and age verification (SAV) programs are among the most popular and lucrative value-added programs on the market. Balancer® Edge, the AGA’s SAV program for feeder cattle sired by Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls, also partners with IMI Global to provide independent verification. This program meets the SAV base requirement for cattle to be eligible for marketing into China Export Verification program, the Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) program for the EU, Verified Natural Beef and many others.

Marketing The point of marketing is to capitalize on the value you have added to your cattle. Sourcing the right sales outlet is often the determining factor in realizing and being compensated for that added value. To help bridge the gap between the barn door and the sale-barn door, the AGA has developed Feeder Finder, a service to assist producers in marketing load lots of Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced feeder cattle. To learn more about Feeder Finder, visit gelbvieh.org and select the Marketing tab. FF

CRAN Fiona F812 ET

Champion Female | 2019 NAILE Open Show Res. Champion Female | 2020 NWSS Jr. Show Congratulations Casey Martin, IL! Sired by CIRS Overdrive

When females like this...

combine with bulls like these...progress is made.

SLC Viper 7E

RWG Right Combination 5506 DLW TPG Jackpot 7551B

Join Us!

CIRS Overdrive

S Whitlock 179

17th Annual Genetic Progress Sale

SATURDAY | MARCH 27, 2021 Rugby Livestock Auction | Rugby, ND

We look forward to seeing you in Rugby for our 17th annual bull and female sale! Approximately 35 bulls and 40 females will sell. The entire offering is polled, with many lots being homozygous polled, and every animal will be DNA tested for sire verification. Several of the females are champion show caliber prospects like the female pictured above. Other features of sale include the 3/4 Balancer ET herdsire prospects (both Red and Black) sired by Right Combination. They represent some of the thickest, strongest-topped bulls we have ever raised. Don’t miss these outstanding sale features! Please call us to request a sale catalog or visit our website to view the online sale catalog. Can’t be with us on sale day? Real time bidding is available! Visit DVAuction.com for details.

ROBERT AND BILL ARNOLD • ESMOND, ND PH: 701.720.8823 or 701.624.2051 • rlagelbvieH@aol.com

WWW.CRANVIEWGELBVIEH.COM

FEATURE Realistic Pregnancy Expectations in the Beef Herd In a recent Beef Reproductive Taskforce (BRT) webinar, Ky Pohler, Texas A&M Department of Animal Sciences, shared insight on realistic expectations for pregnancy rates in a beef herd when using reproductive technologies.

The team looked at 49 data sets, which represented over 50,000 animals, that went into the analysis and found an overall average pregnancy loss in the first 32 days to be 47.9%. To break these numbers out further, the team found that virgin heifers’ average pregnancy loss in the first 30 days was 45%. The cows in the study that had their first calf and were breeding back, averaged a 55% pregnancy loss in the first 30 days, and Bos indicus cows had a higher embryonic mortality than Bos taurus influenced cows.

The BRT is made-up of research and extension professionals focused on promoting the wider adoption of reproductive technologies amongst cow-calf producers. The group brings together different expertise, from across the country, to evaluate reproductive technologies and provide producer-based exercises and learning ur goal is to really educate opportunities throughout the year. cow-calf producers on

“I do caution in the interpretation of this information,” Pohler says in response to Bos indicus cows exhibiting a higher embryonic mortality rate than Bos taurus. “I personally don’t think that Bos indicus animals have decreased fertility to Bos taurus. I think that the climates and the environments that we put them in are where we’re seeing the sacrifice in fertility.”

“Our goal is to really how to implement technology educate cow-calf producers on and increase the likelihood of how to implement technology and increase the likelihood of success...” success,” Pohler says, sharing that many times producers get caught up thinking about the highest possible pregnancy Breeding methods reviewed in the study saw data sets rate that can be attained, but that is not realistic. that included AI with heat detection, fixed time AI and ET data. The team found that the pregnancy loss from AI with The work the BRT has conducted and their resulting heat detection was somewhere between 30 and 35%. Early meta-analysis, looks at both early-stage embryonic embryonic mortality to the fixed time AI was right around mortality, those losses before first pregnancy diagnosis, 50%, with ET coming in higher at 55%. and late embryonic mortality and fetal loss, which occurs between day 28 through day 100 of gestation, or after first pregnancy diagnosis. The work also shows the potential economics behind this type of pregnancy loss.

14 | FEBRUARY 2021

So what’s a realistic expectation for pregnancy rates at day 28 to 32 pregnancy diagnosis?

ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE FEBRUARY 18, 2021

lunch at noon sale at 1:00 pm

NEW LOCATION

5 MILES NORTH OF MEDINA, NORTH DAKOTA

80 PUREBRED & BALANCER YEARLING BULLS ◊ 45 BLACK ◊ 35 RED ◊ 30 SELECT BRED FEMALES

Additional Reference Sires:

◊ PHG DaVinci D52 ◊ BNC At Ease A357 ◊ MJBC Franchise F806 ◊ CCRO Leverage 6214A ◊ DDGR Noble Man 79B ◊ DDGR American Sniper 44B ◊ GBG Crown Royal 117C DDGR Freddy 18H

CMR Legendary 34H

Sire : WFL Merlin 018A %GV

BA 38 71

734

Sire: JRI In Bounds 214F442 ET BW

-3.4 66

104 64

DDGR Apothic Red 93H

PB 94 83

734

-0.7 74

Sire: Danell Choco 53B BW

PB 88 86

PB 94 86

714

-1.4

78 111 58

Sire: Flying H Grand Slam 128D ET %GV

PB 88 84 733

1.7

691

-1.7

102 51

Sire: DDGR Resilient 275D

%GV

BA 75 91

767

1.4

Sire: Musgrave 316 Stunner %GV

BA 38 80

700

-1.9 62

DDGR Bridgestone 268H

111 54

DDGR Heatseeker 405H

DDGR Dignified 274H

%GV

DDGR Brickhouse 128H

Sire: RWG Exact Combination 7409 %GV

DDGR Barn Boss 74H

Sire: RWG Exact Combination 7409 %GV

PB 94 93

733

2.8

116 64

DDGR Smooth Criminal 426H

133 65

Sire: BAG Mr Grid Topper 147E

%GV

BA 50 84

Dennis and Sherry Gustin family ◊ Bulls available for viewing anytime Dennis: 701-663-7266 | 701-400-3483 ◊ Online Catalog available February 1 Richie and Sarah Heinrich family ◊ Feed & Delivery available, NO CREEP Richie: 701-320-6484 | Sarah: 701-400-3563 Al and Peggy Gustin www.gustinadiamondd.com

714

-1.0

108 48

gustindd@wildblue.net

38 years of breeding Gelbvieh

FEATURE

“If I’m looking at a group of animals that are either Bos indicus or Bos taurus in origin, that have undergone a fixed time AI, my expectation for rates in the first 30 days on those Bos indicus animals will be somewhere around 50% and around 56% on Bos taurus,” Pohler says.

Pregnancy Failures From days 7-16, there is very little pregnancy loss, so on day 17, there is virtually no difference between high fertility and sub-fertile animals. What this research reveals is that there is a significant amount of pregnancy loss before day 7 and after day 17. Looking across the multitude of data sets included in the analysis, Pohler says that the pregnancy loss between days 24 and 31 is telling. “If you think about it, we are looking at about a percentage a day for seven days as we lead up to that first pregnancy diagnosis. It just gives a good indication of where loss is occurring,” he says. Between 32 and 100 days of gestation, pregnancy loss was found to be between 5-6%, with species having no

16 | FEBRUARY 2021

significant bearing on loss. However, virgin heifers did see a higher pregnancy loss after the first pregnancy diagnosis. At day 100, pregnancy rates for Bos indicus and Bos taurus, across the data sets analyzed, was 50 and 44% pregnancy to the first pregnancy diagnosis. Broken down, the pregnancy rates for virgin heifers was 40%, with second-calf cows seeing 47% and cow pregnancy loss at 49%. Average pregnancy rate at day 100 for fixed time AI was 45% and 35% for embryo transfer. “These pregnancy rates were slightly on the low end of what my expectations were when we started to look at this data,” Pohlers says. “But I will tell you, these are what the published literature is showing us on what’s out there and what we were seeing in herds that we’re working with, from a research perspective.” For additional information on the study or to watch any of the BRT webinars, visit www.beefrepro.org. Dr. Ky Pohler, serves as assistant professor of physiology and reproduction for Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science. FF

Genetic POWER

12th Annual Sale

Gelbvieh and Balancer® Bull Sale JKGF G157

JKGF G658

SATURDAY, MARCH 13 1:00 PM CST • SPRINGFIELD, MO SPRINGFIELD LIVESTOCK MARKETING CENTER JKGF G67

50% Balancer Bull || Homo Black Homo Polled Basin Payweight 1682 x JKGF Bella C155

Purebred 90.6% Gelbvieh || Homo Polled MCCA Cornhusker Red 524C x JEMG Lee Ann 650U

Purebred 93% Gelbvieh Bull || Homo Black Homo Polled JKGF Jetsetter E30 x JKGF Heather C67

He and one ET brother sell. Top 1% WW, YW, Marbling and FPI. Dam is a JKGF donor with multiple progeny.

ET mating out famed Lee Ann 650U donor. Top 10% WW, 15% CE, 20% YW and Marbling. PB herdsire prospect with muscle and volume.

Top 1% Marbling and FPI, 15% growth, 25% CE and 30% BW. 104 WW ratio, 108 YW ratio. Dam has produced one son that sold to a seedstock producer.

ERTL 999H

ERTL 877H

ERTL 067H

25% Balancer Bull || Homo Black Homo Polled TEX Playbook 5437 x ERTL 825F Granite Edie

75% Balancer Bull || Homo Black Homo Polled DBRG Mr Twister 7195E ET x DLW Ms Sam ET

44% Balancer Bull || Homo Black Homo Polled DBRG Mr Payweight 710E x ERTL 877F Bessie Fortune X

Dams first calf with a 109 weaning ratio. Top 15% CE, WW and Marbling, top 25% BW, 30% WW.

Twister son with seedstock quality. 114 weaning ratio. Super balanced EPDs with top 10% Milk, 25% WW. Selling 50% possession and 50% semen interest.

Dam’s first calf with a 113 weaning ratio. Top 10% CE, WW, YW and FPI, top 4% Milk and 25% BW.

Selling 75 Gelbvieh and Balancer® Bulls FALL 16-18 MONTH OLD BULLS • SPRING YEARLING BULLS Many bulls selling are homozygous black and/or homozygous polled.

•

All bulls have passed breeding soundness exam

•

All bulls sell with first breeding season guarantee

•

All bulls sell with Genomic Enhanced EPDs

Broadcasting Real-Time Auctions

Jerry & Karen Wilson 335 Gelbvieh Lane, Ava, IL 62907 618-521-8620

Ginger Ertel 26694 Anchor Way, Greentop, MO 63546 660-234-5265 gertel@ertelcattle.com www.ertelcattle.com

www.mms.bz SALE MANAGEMENT BY: Mitchell Marketing Service Chris Mitchell 334-695-1371

FEATURE

Use Numbers Correctly This Breeding Season By Matt Spangler, Ph.D. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

his bull sale season, profit-minded cattle producers will utilize expected progeny differences (EPD) and economic selection indices when selecting their next group of bulls. These tools are far more accurate at predicting the average difference in offspring than visual appraisal or actual weights. This is beyond contestation. That said, it is completely unrealistic to expect all commercial bull buyers to completely understand all available EPD and economic selection indices. Commercial cattle producers have a cattle enterprise to run leaving little (if any) time to dedicate to understanding the intimate details surrounding genetic prediction. There are resources (e.g., www.ebeef.org) designed to help. Ideally, seedstock suppliers should also aid in the understanding and use of these tools. To perhaps ‘kickstart’ the process, I’ve detailed a few key points below. 1.

Have a breeding objective in mind (or better yet written down). This should include how you plan to sell calves, if you plan on retaining replacement females, and any labor or other environmental constraints (e.g., limited forage). This helps identify the traits that are economically relevant to you.

Choose a breed (or breeds) that fit your current crossbreeding system and match your objectives. Compare breeds based on current research (i.e., US Meat Animal Research Center) and not a historical view as breeds have changed overtime.

3. Identify a seedstock supplier (or suppliers) that you trust and has bulls for sale that match your breed needs and your breeding objective. 4. Identify bulls, based on EPD or (preferably) economic index values that match your objectives.

18 | FEBRUARY 2021

a. If a calving ease EPD exists, do not use birth weight EPD. Calving ease EPD are generated using birth weight information. b. If you retain replacement females, pay attention to calving ease maternal EPD. These are really ‘Total Maternal Calving Ease’ EPD, and reflect how easily a bull’s daughters will calve as two-year olds. c. Reproductive longevity is a key profit driver for self-replacing herds. If a Stayability EPD or Sustained Cow Fertility EPD exists, use it. d. If you retain replacement females in limited feed environments, consider selecting bulls with more moderate mature weight and milk (maternal weaning weight) EPD. e. Understand that even if you sell calves at weaning, someone is going to own them in the feedyard. If you want to build a market for your calves, do not completely ignore post-weaning gain and carcass merit. f.

Use an index that fits your objectives—this can greatly simplify bull selection decisions. Do not use a completely terminal index if you retain replacement heifers.

g. Buy quality, but do not overpay. Sometimes the bull that is not top on your list is actually the better economic decision. This bull sale season do not make the process more complex than it really needs to be, and certainly do not get caught in the trap of believing that you can visually see the genetic potential of a bull—use the tools that science has provided and has continually improved and validated. FF

Thorstensonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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Baldridge 38 Special 14 sons sell March 6!

SAV Rainfall 6846 13 sons sell March 6!

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 19

NOTE FROM THE BOARD 2021 Market Outlook By Dustin Aherin, Ph.D.

Beef Demand’s Next Frontier With the ongoing distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, the world is anxiously awaiting the end of the pandemic and a return to more normal life sometime in 2021. From a beef industry perspective, virus control will relieve much of the current strain on the processing and distribution sectors. Simultaneously, a declining beef cow herd will lead to tighter cattle supplies, particularly in Q2 2021 and beyond. Unfortunately, for many regions, much of this beef cow liquidation has been, and will be, drought induced under a La Niña weather pattern accompanied by challenging grazing conditions and higher ration costs. On a more positive note, reduced cattle supplies and fewer operational challenges at the packing level is supportive of cattle prices. While the outlook always varies from operation to operation, on net, the beef industry’s production scenario seems poised for post-pandemic improvement.

Marbling EPD has increased at a similar rate to the broader industry’s improvement in quality grade since the year 2000 (Figure 1). Many cattle feeders can attest to the profitability of Gelbvieh, and particularly Balancer, genetics derived from feedyard performance and carcass traits. In 2020, 85% of quality graded US beef (pounds) reached Choice or Prime. While consumers have come to expect and will continue to demand high quality beef, high quality grade is not the differentiator it once was. It’s become a baseline requirement. The next frontier of differentiation and market access is production transparency and sustainability.

Beef Demand and Quality Grade Beef demand has served as a bright spot for the beef industry throughout the pandemic. The All-Fresh Retail Beef Demand Index (a comparison of actual beef consumption at a given price versus baseline expected consumption at that same price, calculated by Kansas State University) reached record highs in 2020. From March through October 2020 the beef demand index was +8.3% compared to the same time frame in 2019. Retail meat demand seems to have been buoyed by a food stockpiling mentality combined with fewer out-of-home activities and more time at-home for cooking. A renewed focus on nutrition has likely also contributed to meat demand increases and retail price inflation. Such demand strength during the chaos of 2020 illustrates beef ’s position as a staple in an American diet. Beef quality improvement over the past 20 years, as shown in Figure 1, has no doubt contributed to consumer preference for beef. While marbling may not be the first trait that comes to mind when thinking of Gelbvieh and Balancer® genetics, it’s important to note that the breed’s

20 | FEBRUARY 2021

Figure 1. US annual average percent of beef production (pounds) grading Choice and Prime alongside the annual average Gelbvieh and Balancer Marbling EPD from 2000 to 2020. Source: USDA-AMS, American Gelbvieh Association

The Next Frontier Transparency and sustainability will drive beef demand in the next ten years the way quality grade drove beef demand over the past 20 years. Ready or not, nearly all major food companies and restaurant chains, beef purveyors included, have supply chain targets around transparency and sustainability that will come due by 2030, if not by 2025 or sooner. Targets typically cover two of the three sustainability legs (social and environmental) and range from traceability and animal welfare verification to reduced environmental impact and resource use. Fortunately for most beef producers, the consumer demand for these attributes will not require a fundamental

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Davidson Gelbvieh Vernon & Eileen Davidson Davidson Gelbvieh Box 681,&Ponteix, Saskatchewan Vernon Eileen Davidson Davidson Gelbvieh Canada 1Z0 Saskatchewan Box 681,S0N Ponteix, Vernon Eileen Phone(Hm) 306 625 3755 Canada & S0N 1Z0Davidson Box 681, Ponteix, Saskatchewan (Cell) 306 625 7863 Phone(Hm) 306 625 3755 Canada S0N 1Z0 (Cell) 625 7864 (Cell) 306 306 625 7863 Phone(Hm) 306 625 www.davidsongelbvieh.com (Cell) 306 625 7864 3755 (Cell) 306 625 7863 davidsongelbvieh@sasktel.net www.davidsongelbvieh.com (Cell) 306 625 7864 davidsongelbvieh@sasktel.net www.davidsongelbvieh.com Lonesome Dove Ranch davidsongelbvieh@sasktel.net Ross & TaraDove Davidson & Family Lonesome Ranch PO Box 147 Ponteix, SK 1Z0 Canada Ross & Tara Davidson & S0N Family Lonesome Dove Ranch Ph 625-3513 or SK (306) PO(306) Box 147 Ponteix, S0N625-7045 1Z0 Canada Ross & Tara Davidson & Family www.lonesomedoveranch.ca Ph (306) 625-3513 or (306) 625-7045 PO Box 147 Ponteix, SK S0N 1Z0 Canada lonesomedoveranch@sasktel.net www.lonesomedoveranch.ca Ph (306) 625-3513 or (306) 625-7045 lonesomedoveranch@sasktel.net www.lonesomedoveranch.ca lonesomedoveranch@sasktel.net

WANT TO VIEW THE BULLS WANT VIEWCALL THE BULLS BEFORE THETO SALE? US AND WE WANT TO VIEW THE BULLS BEFOREWOULD THE SALE? CALL USTOAND WE BE PLEASED BEFOREWOULD THEASSIST SALE? CALL BE PLEASED YOU! USTOAND WE WOULD BE PLEASED ASSIST YOU! TO Videos, Catalogs Performance ASSISTand YOU!

Videos, Performance Data on Catalogs sale bulls and will be available in Data on sale bulls will be available and in January davidsongelbvieh.com Videos,on Catalogs and Performance January onsale davidsongelbvieh.com lonesomedoveranch.ca. Data on bulls will be available and in lonesomedoveranch.ca. Call to Request a Catalog. January on davidsongelbvieh.com and Call to Request a Catalog. lonesomedoveranch.ca. Call to Request a Catalog.

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 21

NOTE FROM THE BOARD production change. In most cases, more production practice documentation and measurement will fit the bill. Of course, increased documentation and measurement will add to the cost of doing business. However, there currently are and will be either market premiums or improved market access to help justify the added costs. There may even be additional revenue streams available from ecosystem services (e.g. carbon markets) as they continue to develop. Furthermore, as performance testing has proven in beef genetics, increased measurement can accelerate progress and profitability. Through more precise operational data collection and analysis, many producers will likely identify opportunities to reduce costs or improve efficiency to improve the third leg of sustainability (economics/profitability).

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How do Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics fit into the next frontier? ®

A major component of the sustainability movement is environmental sustainability. It’s estimated that at least 50% of feed energy use in beef production occurs in the breeding herd (“The optimum cow – what criteria must she meet?”- H.D. Ritchie, 2001). Yet our ability to measure, and thus, understand feed efficiency and other resource metrics in the breeding herd has been limited, historically. As technology improves and increased supply chain traceability and record-keeping accompany the focus around the environmental impacts (and benefits) of beef production, maternal efficiency will play a critical role in the beef sustainability conversation. Gelbvieh genetics have long been recognized for fertility and maternal efficiency. Over the next decade (which is only a couple of cattle generations), consumers will place more and more focus on the management and environmental aspects of beef production. Under such a scenario, reduced inputs and improved efficiency at the cow-calf level will become more important than ever. Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics can contribute significantly to such supply chain efficiencies. FF

Are Yours Wearing

THE BRAND Maternal Strength

Growth & Carcass

Profitability Visit FLY I N G H GENET ICS.com for details!

250 BULLS SELL: March 6th at the ranch, Arapahoe NE March 27th at the Bull Barn, Butler MO October 23rd at the Bull Barn, Butler MO

Kyle Helms, NE 308.962.6940 Bryan Helms, NE 307.840.0920 Dick and Bonnie Helms 308.962.6500 Aaron Gaines, MO, 417.309.0062

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 23

FROM THE CORNER OFFICE Genetics Drive Efficiency By Megan Slater

hen it comes to the many decisions that need to be made on the ranch, some of the most important decisions are those that are made during breeding season. Choosing the genetics that will influence your herd is a task no cattle producer should take lightly. Finding the right genetics to help set the operation up for future success is key. Genetics that will produce efficient females that stay in the herd and wean a heavy calf year after year is important for helping an operation’s bottom line. Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle are your solution to get there; offering genetics that work throughout the beef cattle supply chain. Not only are the cows profit drivers on the ranch, Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced feeder cattle convert at the bunk and grade on the rail. Maternal efficiency is an important trait in any cowcalf operation and is one the Gelbvieh female excels in. According to the USDA’s U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (US MARC), the Gelbvieh female has the most moderate mature size of all major beef breeds. As we continue to see increases in land value and other input costs it becomes more important for producers to have the most efficient cows possible to achieve profitability in today’s cattle market. Along with moderate mature cow size, Gelbvieh ranked number one in age of puberty in the same U.S. MARC study (progress report #22). This equates to replacement females that will breed quicker and become fertile cows within the herd. The number one factor that impacts profitability on the ranch, is the fertility of the cow, and fertility is one of the most valued traits of the Gelbvieh cow. Without a calf each year, that cow costs the rancher money. When commercial producers utilizing Gelbvieh and Balancer females talk about their cowherd and why they stay with those genetics, a large majority of producers cite exceptional cowherd fertility as a standout trait. The American Gelbvieh Association places an importance on the breed’s fertility and reproductive ability by publishing tools for producers selecting on these traits.

24 | FEBRUARY 2021

The heifer pregnancy EPD predicts the probability that a bull’s daughters will become pregnant as first calf heifers in a regular breeding season and is 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 the contemporary group. While the 30-month pregnancy 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, and again, a higher value is 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. Gelbvieh cows are also known for their stayability. Stayability refers to the reproductive longevity of a cow. Research from Colorado State University shows Gelbvieh and Balancer females excel in longevity compared to other breeds in the study (see figure 1). One of the biggest investments on the cow-calf producer is a replacement female. Whether you develop your own or buy bred heifers it becomes an expensive undertaking.

Figure 1 Not only do Gelbvieh females exhibit maternal superiority through reproductive traits, they have excellent mothering ability and wean heavier calves. This, combined with their well-known docile temperament, make the Gelbvieh female a maternal powerhouse.

FROM THE CORNER OFFICE Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics work beyond the ranch. Balancer cattle, a cross between Gelbvieh and Angus or Red Angus, add the pounds, make the grade and deliver the value both in the feedyard and on the rail. Feed efficiency is a major profit driver in beef cattle production and an even bigger driver of profitability in the cattle feeding/finishing sector. Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced cattle convert well at the bunk. Decreasing the amount of feed needed to produce more pounds of saleable product increases profit potential. Many feeders have reported Balancer-sired cattle that grade 90 percent Choice or better. In today’s marketplace

where higher quality grades yield a premium, Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced cattle meet modern industry demands. In addition to quality grade, Gelbvieh and Balancerinfluenced cattle have been proven to excel in percent retail product. According to the U.S. MARC progress report #22, Gelbvieh rank #1 for percent retail product. As producers are selecting bulls for their herd this sale season, it is important to keep in mind that the mating decisions made this spring not only effect the next year’s calf crop but impact the herd for several years to come. FF

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Phone: 208.430.5532 www.sheridancattle.com • email: cordell5532@gmail.com

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 25

RIPPE GELBVIEH

[Using data to increase your profits]

“Information is the oil of the 21st century, and analytics is the combustion engine.” - Peter Sondergaard

“What gets measured, gets managed.” - Peter Drucker

Go where the DATA is: For Females: • Track Udder Scores • Measure Cow Size • Measure Cow Efficiency through percentage body weight weaned

For Bulls: • Disposition Scores

• Ultrasound Bulls

• Higher Accuracy EPDs through genomic EPD testing

• Ultrasound Females

Avg. Dam Weight of bulls in the sale is 1258 Avg. Dam Efficiency of bulls in the sale is 55% 40% of the bulls in the pen are heifer bulls

DAMS OF DOMINANCE

nked #1 Rippe Gelbvieh ra for Gelbvieh Breeder Nebraska Dams of Merit in

AGA designation Dam of Merit is a t selection for cows that mee early puberty and criteria including r calving intervals, conception, regula s e weaning weight and above averag 2% 6. ly On s. lve on at least three ca e breed qualify. th in s m da e th of

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For Carcass: • Feed out our Steers every year and receive individual carcass data

Feeder Profit Index is an economic selection index designed to aid producers in selecting sires whose progeny will perform in the Feedlot and are sold on a grade and yield. This is an index where it ranks sires whose progeny should do the best in the feedlot.

• Homozygous Polled and Black tested

Avg. Birth Weight 79; Avg. Weaning Weight 684 85% are Homozygous Polled 81% of Black Bulls are Homozygous Black

AVERAGE PERCENTILE RANK OF SALE BULLS EPDS Black Balancers TOP 24% of Calving Ease TOP 33% of Weaning Weight TOP 32% of Yearling Weight [ TOP 13% of Feeder Profit Index Red Balancers TOP 35% of Calving Ease TOP 45% of Weaning Weight TOP 44% of Yearling Weight [ TOP 30% of Feeder Profit Index Purebreds TOP 37% of Calving Ease TOP 20% of Weaning Weight TOP 16% of Yearling Weight [ TOP 24% of Feeder Profit Index

Guest Speaker, Troy Applehans March 12, 2021 • 7:00 pm • Belleville Country Club

Troy is the CattleFax market analyst responsible for feeder cattle and cow/calf regions 26 | FEBRUARYof2021 the Southern Plains region as well as Southeastern states of the U.S.

Complimentary Lunch at 12:00

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[

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Video of the bulls, data, and catalog will be posted at www.rippegelbvieh.com RIPPE GELBVIEH Hubbell, Nebraska Dustin: 316-323-4874 402-200-0555 Duane: 402-200-0096 (Cell) www.rippegelbvieh.com Raising Bulls for Commercial Cattlemen that fit today and tomorrow. THE PROFIT PICTURE | 27

FEATURE

Gelbvieh and Balancer® from Pasture to Plate By Malerie Strahm

oday, consumers are interested in where their beef comes from and producers are always looking for ways to make their beef profitable while meeting modern industry demands. Gelbvieh genetics offer maternal superiority, and when used in a planned crossbreeding system, can develop cattle that have a positive impact on your bottom line as well as produce a sought-after beef product. As we travel across the country, following Gelbvieh and Balancer® from pasture to plate, we see how commercial producers run successful operations using Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics.

MEETING MODERN INDUSTRY DEMANDS Today’s ranchers show how Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics, along with good animal husbandry, can increase profitability as well as produce high-quality beef for consumers. Lee and Stacy Marriott, Rocking M Ranch, Stover, Missouri, own a family-run cow/calf and stocker operation and have been raising Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle for 32 years. “It’s super important to me that people drive to us wanting to buy some of our genetics,” said Lee. “We strive

28 | FEBRUARY 2021

harder every year to do a better job producing what other people want.” Matt and Shelly Jarvis of Rollin J Ranch, Phillipsburg, Kansas, raise Balancer cattle from calves to finish. “My husband Matt and I operate a family operation, and we pride ourselves on raising high quality beef, from pasture to plate,” said Shelly. “Every day here on the ranch our goal is to have a satisfied consumer in the end,” says Matt. “I’m big on animal husbandry, making sure that the cattle are taken care of right, low stress and a lot of it is done on horseback and with my dogs. I mean they’re real quiet and everything usually works pretty smooth.”

RAISING GELBVIEH CATTLE Gelbvieh cattle are widely recognized for maternal strengths such as fertility, quiet temperament and longevity that gives their calves a strong foundation from the very beginning. Gelbvieh cattle also exhibit muscling, growth and feed efficiency that make Gelbvieh-influenced cattle valuable in all aspects of the beef industry. “They’re good fertile cows, they milk good, they’re docile and I think they, for sure, wean bigger calves than some of the other breeds out there,” Lee says.

“We really like the Gelbvieh cattle. We looked at some other breeds over the years; we’ve ran some black Angus bulls, some Red Angus bulls and we’ve even had a couple of horned Hereford bulls, but we always came back to the Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics,” Stacy shares. “We like the way that the cattle act, we love the way that they grow, and we feel like they give us the complete animal that we are looking for.”

MAKING BULL BUYING DECISIONS When it comes to choosing bulls that exhibit strong terminal traits, Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics deliver. Balancer cattle are a cross between Gelbvieh and Angus or Red Angus. Using these bulls in a crossbreeding system can positively impact heterosis, with individual heterosis seen in increased calf survivability, weaning weight, yearling weight and carcass traits in crossbred calves. “When we first started our cowherd, I bought some Balancer females that were bred to Balancer bulls, and I really liked how those mothers mothered,” Matt says, “They milked well and raised some good, stout calves. So, I continued that on and bought some Balancer bulls.” The Marriotts agree, sharing that maternal ability and marketable pounds of beef keep them coming back to Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics. “When we look at females and bulls, we are looking for good maternal ability. We want them to stay in the herd a long time; they have to have good feet, and they have to be a complete package,” Stacy says. “It’s always a balancing act. We look at our bulls and we look at their EPDs and we deal

FEATURE

with seedstock producers that we trust. It all boils down to wanting to have those cows in your herd for a long time and if you don’t have the right building blocks in your seedstock and your cowherd to start with, you’re not going to get that.” “Our job is to produce pounds of beef, and you have to have good calves that grow well, so that after you wean them they take off and are ready to go to market when you need to sell them. Gelbvieh gives us that,” Stacy says. “So, we really feel like the Gelbvieh and Balancer breed is perfect for what we want.”

FROM FEEDLOT TO CONSUMER Gelbvieh-influenced calves excel in the feedlot, proving their growth and performance ability while hitting the yield and grade attributes feeders are looking for. “When I first started finishing my cattle it was mostly because I had a buyer here that told me Gelbvieh wouldn’t hang or grade with the rest of them (other breeds),” says Matt. “So I went ahead and finished some out myself, and most of them finished 92-93% Choice or better. I had very few 4’s and 5’s on the yield, they’ve just been outstanding. This year we sent a few to US Premium Beef and 100% were Choice or better, 18% were Prime and we didn’t have any 4’s or 5’s.” Craig Uden, Darr Feedlot, Inc. in Cozad, Nebraska, says when buying feeder cattle, he’s looking for type and kind and condition to produce performance. “It’s very important that I have the performance in the feed yard and also the carcass merit,” he says, “If they’ve got a little cross or something in them, I really like that. We try to add value to every animal that we buy, if we can, so it’s really important to get the right kind of cattle bought.” In true pasture to plate fashion, many people are looking for locally grown beef in today’s beef market. And that consumer-driven demand has some producers taking advantage of the opportunity to market locally. An opportunity both the Marriott’s and Jarvis’ are capitalizing on. “We feed out some of our own calves; we sell a lot of beef on the hoof and haul them to the packing house of the customer’s choice,” Lee says. “We like to get the marbling, the taste, the tenderness, and so far, everybody is 100% happy with the way we finish them.” Matt shares that while 2020 was challenging to navigate from a marketing perspective, he was able to find a robust market with continued demand right at his backdoor.

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 29

FEATURE

“We sold somewhere between 60 and 70 head just to local people,” he says. “They apparently were really pleased with it because a lot of them have already ordered more beef for next year. It’s kind of opened up the door a little bit more to market beef locally, and a satisfied customer is everybody’s goal.” Matt Massey of Harlan County Meat Processors, Orleans, Nebraska, has been working to keep local beef markets viable for more than 30 years, and shares that the quality of beef Jarvis delivers is second-to-none “The cattle that we’ve gotten in are all grading choice or higher. It’s been a pretty good process teaming up with Matt and using his cattle, they’re just excellent cattle to work with,” Massey says, with Matt adding that the most gratifying part of marketing locally is the ability to provide a quality product that exceeds a buyer’s expectations. “Having the consumers just totally satisfied and happy, it’s been great to finally see that in the end product,” he says. Product quality is also determined by the level of animal welfare by a producer, making cowherd management and proper animal handling a high priority for beef producers. “We live in a pretty challenging time right now with so many different (animal welfare) views out there, but I

30 | FEBRUARY 2021

can guarantee if we expect people to pay for our product, we’re going to have to provide the quality, the taste, and the accountability of how that animal was raised,” says Uden. A fact that the Marriott’s know, first-hand and work diligently to provide. “We have always worked really closely with our veterinarian who, I feel, is very progressive—he’s looking at prevention, not just treatment, and he’s done a great job of working with us on BQA guidelines. We’re very careful with how we care for our vaccines and where they are placed. We make sure the cattle are handled with the lowest stress possible, because in the end, we need people to consume beef and feel comfortable that they are getting an animal that’s been treated correctly. We want consumers to know that what’s on their plate is good for them and it’s been treated well,” Stacy says of the animal and product welfare the Beef Quality Assurance guidelines has created for the industry. At the end of the day, beef production is a family affair that, more often than not, spans multiple generations. Producers are invested in both the animals they raise and the end-products they create, with the consumer in-mind from pasture to plate. FF

11th Annual Production Sale Sunday, February 21, 2021, 2:00 (CT) at the Ranch, Clearbrook, MN Sale cattle available for viewing at the ranch anytime prior to the sale

90 Lots Sell

60 Gelbvieh, Balancer, Angus and Red Angus Bulls 30 Gelbvieh, Balancer and Red Angus Bred Heifers

LRL Foreman H25 Homo Black Homo Polled PB 84% Gelbvieh Bull Sire: MJBC Franchise F806 Dam: Ms Jo-leen F225 ET 123 WW ratio, Top 4%CED, Top 10%WW, Top 15%YW, Top 1%CW, Top 10%REA and Top 3%FPI. Absolute beast. Outstanding from every angle and moves like a cat.

LRL Eureka H46 Homo Black Homo Polled PB 88% Gelbvieh Bull Sire: JRI In Demand 254F839 ET Dam: LRL Rylee F71 ET Absolute EPD standout. 122 WW ratio, Top 10%CED, Top 1% WW & YW, Top 5%CW, Top 10% REA, Top 5% MARB and Top 1%FPI. One of the most complete purebred bulls in the breed. Phenotype, pedigree and data.

LRL Budweiser H109 Homo Polled 73% Gelbvieh Bull Sire: HDG Hillsdown Fennegan 4F Dam: LRSF Blackstar A63 113 WW ratio, Top 35% CED, Top 10% WW, Top 10% STAY, Top 10% REA and Top 25% FPI One of the most striking and powerful bulls in the pen, the best of his large sire group

LRL High Life H64 Homo Black Homo Polled 50% Balancer Bull Sire: JKGF Ditka C85 Dam: SINK Ms Edison A favorite in the pen since day 1. JKGF Ditka x DLW Edison 107 WW ratio, Top 20%CED, Top 1%WW, Top 2%YW, top 4%CW, Top 10%REA and Top 10%FPI. Ditka never fails. This guy is one of the stoutest bulls we have ever produced.

LRL Lakota G64 Purebred Red Angus Sire: 5L Bourne Dam’s Sire: Bieber Hard Drive One of best females from her calf crop. Outstanding phenotype, cow family and disposition. Absolute knockout. Carrying a Purebred Red Angus heifer calf sired by WLF Merlin 018A that will be at the top of any group in the country.

LRL Naomi G207 Homo Black PB 88% Gelbvieh Bred Heifer Sire: JKGF New Horizon C51ET Dam: DDGR 182Z Beautiful phenotype with very balanced EPD’s led by Top 15% MILK and Top 35% STAY.. Carrying a Purebred Gelbvieh bull calf sired by JRI In Demand with nearly all EPD’s above breed average.

Dan Larson 402-560-4052 David Larson 218-766-3323 www.lostriverlivestockmn.com 12866 Lindberg Lake Road Clearbrook, MN 56634

OUT IN THE FIELD Winter Bull Management

By Ben Beckman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

hile breeding season may be a ways off, making sure our bulls are cared for throughout the winter and ready to go when it is time to turn out is critical. A sound and fertile bull can mean the difference between success or failure of next year’s calf crop. While AI is a valuable tool to use in breeding, across the U.S. 87% of operations still utilize bulls in some capacity. Winter care for bulls can be broken down into two categories, body condition and fertility. Let’s look at body condition first. Bull condition going into breeding season is a major factor in the success of a bull’s breeding capacity. In general, a 1:20 ratio of bull to cows is a good starting point, but depending on pasture size, number of herds, and other factors, that number can vary significantly. However, even with a 1:20 ratio maintained, bull vigor and dominance will also play a role in breeding success. One study noted animals servicing anywhere from 4 to 80 females during the breeding season. The energy required to meet the demands of breeding is substantial, and bulls can be expected to lose anywhere from 100 to 400 lbs. during the course of the breeding season. Getting animals back into condition for next year is one of the primary focuses we should have. So far this winter especially with periods of warm temperatures and little snow cover, there has been a great opportunity to build back body condition. Typically we want animals back to a body condition score 6 before turn out next year. To do this, take a body condition score now if you haven’t already done so and develop a plan for feeding. Remember that young animals may not yet be fully grown so will need additional energy and protein to continue growth and build condition. For this reason, depending

32 | FEB 2020

on the number of bulls in a herd, separating mature and younger animals into separate herds can make meeting feed requirements for each group easier. Meeting mineral requirements is also important. Research has shown that in particular selenium and zinc are key in maintaining fertility health and sperm production. Iodine in mineral can help with hoof issues and ensure sound feet going into the breeding season. The second factor to consider with bulls during the winter is fertility. Major impacts on fertility in the winter months are cold and frostbite on the scrotum. Even minor injury can have some impact on fertility, but we really want to protect against major damage that will eventually result in blisters and scabbing. At this point, sperm production will be impacted. Spermatogenesis takes up to 61 days, so damage can have long term impact. Keep an eye out for possible damage when checking bulls and evaluate injured bulls after 45-60 days with a breeding soundness exam. It’s better to know early that a bull won’t be ready than scrambling for a replacement option last minute. To keep cold damage to a minimum, do your best to protect animals from the wind and cold. Provide plenty of space for animals to find shelter and windbreaks to cut down on wind-chill impacts. A layer of bedding on the ground helps insulate animals from the cold and protect against freezing. While bulls may not be our first focus this time of year, don’t forget to give there care some thought. Evaluate animal condition and have a plan to get body condition scores back to 6 before next year’s breeding season. Providing shelter from the cold with windbreaks and bedding will help safeguard fertility and prevent any unwanted surprises later. FF

1 PM TUESDAY - at Royal Western Gelbvieh - RED DEER COUNTY, AB

2021 BULL SALE

selling

FEB. 16

HOMOZYGOUS POLLED PUREBREDS

Cody Congdon & Melissa Pochapsky BASHAW, ALBERTA Cody: 403.350.5791 Melissa: 403.586.3144 rockytopgelbvieh@hotmail.com

Rodney & Tanya Hollman RED DEER COUNTY, ALBERTA Rodney: 403.588.8620 Tanya: 403.352.9283 rodscattle@platinum.ca www.royalwesterngelbvieh.com

Devon Smithers Three Hills, Alberta 403.412.4226 devon.smithers16@gmail.com

C O N T A C T T O R E Q U E S T A C A T A L O G U ETHE PROFIT PICTURE | 33

Whereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Your RPS Gelbvieh Private Treaty Bulls January 1, Off Farm, Medstead, SK

Maple Grove Gelbvieh Private Treaty Bulls January 1, Off Farm, Narcisse, MB

Green Acres Cattle Co. Private Treaty Bulls February 1, Off Farm, Lamont County, AB

Flatland Ranch Private Treaty Bulls February 1, Off Farm, Hanna, AB

Alexander & Kaylin Schultz Private Treaty Bulls February 1, Off Farm, Hay Lakes, AB

Hilltop Gelbvieh Private Treaty Bulls February 1, Off Farm, Stony Plain, AB

Thackeray Land & Cattle Bull Sale February 13 at 1PM, Goodwater, SK

Duke Cattle Co. Private Treaty Bulls February 15, Off Farm, Wildwood, AB

Draft Picks 2021 Bull Sale

February 16 at 1PM, Red Deer County, AB

Twisted T Gelbvieh Heifer & Bull Sale February 20, Private Treaty, Lloydminster, SK

Hillsdown Gelbvieh Private Treaty Bulls February 25, Off Farm, Red Deer County, AB

Foursquare Farms Bull Sale February 27 at 1PM, Olds, AB

CANADIAN GELBVIEH A S S O C I AT I O N

GELBVIEH.CA

Next Herd Sire... LCF Gelbvieh Private Treaty Bulls March 1, Off Farm, Hazlet, SK

Long Lane Cattle Co. Private Treaty Bulls March 1, Off Farm, Redcliff, AB

Towerview Ranch Private Treaty Bulls March 1, Off Farm, Medicine Hat, AB

Severtson Land & Cattle Bull Sale March 1 at 1PM, Red Deer County, AB

Jen-Ty Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale March 2 at 1PM, Medicine Hat, AB

JSJ Livestock Online Bull Sale

March 3-5, DLMS Farm Gate Timed Auction, Hartney, MB

Davidson Gelbvieh & Lonesome Dove Ranch Bull Sale March 5 at 1PM, On the Ranch, Ponteix, SK

Jace Cattle & Associates Bull & Commercial Female Sale March 6-7, DLMS Farm Gate Timed Auction, Botha, AB

Gelbvieh Advantage Bull Sale

March 12-13, DLMS Farm Gate Timed Auction, Red Deer County, AB

Fladeland Livestock & TwinView Livestock Bull Sale March 17 at 1PM, Moose Jaw, SK

Nelson Gelbvieh & Pin to Point Gelbvieh Bull Sale March 26-27, DLMS Farm Gate Timed Auction

Best of Breeds Bull Sale - Goodview Gelbvieh March 28 at 1:30PM, Yorkton, SK

Cattle Capital Bull Sale - Overby Stock Farm April 12 at 1PM , Ste. Rose du Lac, MB

PERFORMANCE PRODUCTION PROFIT

Over THE

Fence

with Powles Ranch Partnership Bingham, Nebraska By Tom Strahm & Jana Jensen

owles Ranch Partnership is a commercial cow-calf PBingham, operation located in the Nebraska Sandhills near Nebraska. Today, the ranch primarily utilizes

Balancer® genetics to produce their own home-raised replacement females, and market-topping steer calves. The Powles family has a long, and rich history in the Gelbvieh breed. Don Powles first used Gelbvieh genetics in the fall of 1972 in a partnership with Phil VanDervoort. The Powles ranch was running purebred horned Hereford cows, and a crossbred commercial herd at the time, but Phil convinced Don to use some Gelbvieh semen to breed his fall calving Hereford cows since the semen had just became available. This led to the Powles Gelbvieh Ranch becoming AGA member #224, with the herd prefix POW. The ranch slogan was “The Black Gelbvieh Connection.” The following excerpts are from the recently released Gelbvieh history book “Gelbvieh in the U.S. The Breed. The Association.” “The Powles family bred the first homozygous polled, homozygous black Gelbvieh bull. POW Black Imprint 386Z sold to Phil VanDervoort at the Black Hills Stock Show in 1992.” He was a Polled Midnight son. “Gelbvieh was originally red/golden and horned, but in the Sandhills of Western Nebraska, black and polled cattle

36 | SEPTEMBER 2020

are more popular, so Don envisioned black Gelbvieh. Lori Maude wrote in the Gelbvieh World, May 1998. ‘Black Before It Was Cool’, about Don’s vision, that became a reality.” Don’s wife Gretchen served as the American Gelbvieh Gals president. Don and Gretchen’s daughter Jana and son Bryon both served on the American Gelbvieh Junior Association Board of Directors, and Jana served as the American Gelbvieh Ambassador. All were involved in GAIN, the Gelbvieh Association in Nebraska. “The Powles family sold Gelbvieh bulls for 24 years ending in 2007. Don loved selling bulls and talking to customers; he especially loved delivering bulls. Don was a true Gelbvieh advocate and there was always time to talk cattle. Don gave Gelbvieh heifers to several kids to start their cowherds.” Today the Powles Ranch Partnership includes Jana (Powles) Jensen, her husband JC Jensen and their children Jada and Cameron along with Bryon Powles and his wife Audrey. The ranching operation is a family affair and a true team effort. Bryon takes care of the north half of the ranch, and JC the south half. Jana does all the financials and bookkeeping, while Audrey keeps cow records. Jada is studying pharmacy at the University of Wyoming and should graduate with her doctorate in 2022. Cameron is currently in college at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington studying agribusiness and farm and ranch management, slated to graduate in May 2021. Jana remembers when her dad began using Gelbvieh. “My granddad, Rolland Powles, was a bit hesitant, but the cross-bred steers were so much bigger than the straightbred calves that they felt there was merit in this new breed.” When describing the present ranching operation and their overall objectives, Jana says, “We are strictly commercial cattlemen coverting grass to beef. Our goal

is to be able to retain our own heifers for replacements, while raising steer calves that perform well in the feedlot. We are a low input operation that puts a lot of emphasis on cow production and efficiency, which includes running moderately framed cows.” Bryon adds, “Gelbvieh and Balancer have been a great fit for our environment. We like the hybrid vigor, and the additional growth and performance that we get. We like the balance of growth, combined with the great females we keep as replacements. The cows have tremendous mothering ability. This includes fertility, longevity and milking ability. They raise heavy steer calves that have been very well accepted by our buyers.”

What traits are important to you when selecting bulls to purchase? “We purchase most of our bulls as coming two-yearolds. They aren’t fed hard, and they are raised in an environment similar to where they will be working for the rest of their life. We want long bodied, easy moving, structurally correct bulls with volume and depth. We watch birth weight and birth weight (BW) EPD carefully. We want good growth, but not over the top numbers. We want adequate milk, but we also don’t want too much milk for our environment. We watch scrotal measurements as well. It is very important for us to breed cattle with an appropriate balance of traits.”

What are you looking for when selecting replacement females? “We generally select our replacements from the older and earlier born part of our calf crop. We take into consideration the sires and dams of the heifers. We want them to have good dispositions, as well acceptable phenotype.” “Our cows are asked to efficiently convert grass to be able to meet their needs for production most of the year. We provide limited supplementation of hay and protein during the winter, so they need to know how to get along in the Sandhills.”

How do you market your calves? “We are all spring calving, and ship steer calves off the cows in the fall when the calves are approximately six to seven months old. In mid-May we brand, castrate and vaccinate our calves before heading to grass. We brand the old-fashioned way by roping and dragging the calves which

are typically on the ground less than a minute. We also precondition, and give a complete round of vaccinations in the fall a couple of weeks before shipping the steer calves. After we select our replacements heifers we sell the remaining heifer calves as well. We have found that buyers and cattle feeders are seeking out high quality Gelbvieh sired/Balancer calves. We have consistently topped the market with our steers for years.”

What are some of the goals for your operation in the next 10 years? “We leased the Jensen Ranch, JC’s dad's ranch and we are looking forward to increasing our cow herd and expanding numbers. This will allow us to sort for more uniform loads when shipping in the fall. We look forward to bringing our son Cameron back into the business after he finishes college.” The Powles family celebrated 100 years of ranching in 2010. From horned Herefords to black, polled Gelbvieh has been quite a journey. Black Balancer and Gelbvieh bulls continue to breed the commercial cows that graze the Sandhills and provide the fifth generation of Powles’ a solid base for the next 100 years. JC and Jana (Powles) Jensen, Jada, and Cameron, and Bryon and Audrey Powles will continue the journey Don started. FF Editor's Note Jana Powles Jensen and Bryon Powles were interviewed for a Gelbvieh and Balancer feature “A Closer Look at the Gelbvieh Breed” that aired on NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattleman in February 2020. Their interviews are also part of the February 2020 American Rancher featuring Gelbvieh and Balancer. The episodes can be viewed on the AGA website. Audrey Powles is a professional photographer and has provided photographs for the AGA to use in marketing and promotion of Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle.

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 37

JUNIOR EDITORIAL Love What You Do By Cody Forbes Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life. Every morning, I wake up and that’s what I tell myself; some days it’s truer than others. A couple weeks ago I stood at the bottom of a six-foot hole searching for a water leak, and I wondered if I might be working. Another morning I spent several hours searching for five outside horses I’ve been riding, they somehow knocked a gate off the hinges and went on an adventure. That day also felt a little like work. I found them by the way, all uninjured and ready to head for home. After they were home safe and I’d gotten the unavoidable lecture from my dad, we both had a good chuckle. Although these are both examples of the less glamorous side of ranch life, some good came from both. We finally found and fixed an elusive leak, and I learned a valuable lesson about cheap gate hinges and old posts.

As I’ve gotten older, the lessons I’ve learned from my family have truly shaped who I am. When I was a little kid, I spent a lot of time with my grandpa. We spent a lot of time working on equipment, he taught me how to use pliers, stretch a fence, tamp a post and how to weld. He also taught me to not sweat the little things or the big things we can’t control. I’ve thought about that lesson a lot the last year as it seems everything is beyond our control. My dad has taught me the value of sticking up for your beliefs but being open-minded enough to see the value in the beliefs of others. From both my mom and dad, I’ve learned the value of sacrifice. Every summer they load us kids and our heifers up and head for a junior national. Looking back, I know that certain years it was a major financial burden, but they knew how important it was to us and they always found a way. These trips have led to friends who are family, the

MLM GELBVIEH

OPEN HOUSE PRIVATE TREATY KICK-OFF SALE Monday, March 1, 2021 • At the Ranch

Selling: 37 Bulls • Gelbvieh & Balancer® • Red & Black • 100% Polled

Ultrasound Tested • DNA Tested and have GE EPDs • Fertility Tested • Negative BVD-PI3 Test • Satisfaction Guaranteed Viewing at 11:00, Lunch at 12:00, Final Bids at 1:00

We have open heifers for sale private treaty anytime! MLM Gelbvieh are in the top 10 in the nation for Dams of Merit! 50% of bulls offered are out of Dams of Merit

Merlin 018A

JRI Optimizer 148A24

Sires Represented: Gelbvieh Sires – Kat Napper, Transformer, Pistol Pete and Cartwright. Balancer Sires – High Definition, Lifeline, Optimizer, Wow Factor and Post Rock 106E Angus Sire – Mead Magnitude Red Angus Sires – Merlin 018A and Conqueror 0026X.

38 | SEPTEMBER 2020

Mead Magnitude All bulls are guaranteed Offering free feed and care until April 1

MLM GELBVIEH Marlin Meyer

824 Road 3000 • Superior, NE 68978 402.879.4976 • mlm68978@yahoo.com

Videos available mid-February www.gelbviehbulls.com

Directions: The Open House will be held at the ranch at Superior, NE. From the 14/136 junction north of Superior, go 6 miles west on 136, then 1-1/4 miles north.

development of industry and life skills, and more memories than I can count. From my older brother, I’ve learned to slow down and enjoy life. I’ve been told I’m wound a little tight. I don’t always take the time to stop and just enjoy the sight of cows grazing or to stand and appreciate a high-quality bull. Wyatt has taught me to enjoy the fruits of our labors and appreciate the things we take so much pride in producing. My little sister, Jaycie has been a shining example of how far passion and intensity can take a person. It doesn’t matter if it’s high school sports, a cattle show, a judging contest or rehabilitation from a torn ACL. She approaches everything with the most competitive spirit I’ve ever seen. As a junior board member, I truly think of many of my fellow members as family. We argue like family, we laugh like family and we have each other’s back, just like family. I have been truly blessed to be a part of American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA). I have learned responsibility and compromise as a board member, and I am proud of our accomplishments. As 2020 drew to a close, I choose to focus on the good. Everyday we get to do what we love; with a breed we love. I am just starting out in my career and I’m sure there will be plenty of days that will try my patience. But if we can all just remember the lessons we’ve learned and appreciate the fact we do what we love, we’ll never really work a day in our lives. FF

REGISTERED GELBVIEH & BALANCER® Move your herd forward by taking advangage of over 37 years of intentional A.I. breeding!

Your source for P.A.P. tested, calving ease and low birth weight EPD bulls! Selling February 26, 2021 in the “Pot of Gold” Gelbvieh & Balancer® Bull Sale 100 YEARLING BULLS SELL!

Using Bud Williams Stockmanship methods for 20+ years.

FEMALES AVAILABLE PRIVATE TREATY

At Bow K Ranch we emphasize moderate-size, quality udders, calving ease, and are focusing on optimal tenderness and marbling. David & Dawn Bowman • Andrew & Sarah Bowman 55784 Holly Rd. • Olathe, CO 81425 • (970) 323-6833 •

WWW.BOWKRANCH.COM THE PROFIT PICTURE | 39

FAST FACTS Who we are: The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is a beef cattle breed association dedicated to recording, promoting, and improving Gelbvieh-influenced cattle. The AGA was started in 1971 and now consists of approximately 1,000 members with a registry database that contains over 1 million animals including approximately 40,000 currently active Gelbvieh, Balancer®, and Gelbvieh-influenced cows.

What is a Balancer ? ®

Balancer cattle are registered hybrid seedstock that have documented pedigrees and expected progeny differences (EPDs). The American Gelbvieh Association was the first beef cattle breed to recognize and include a hybrid animal as registered stock. Balancer animals are 25 to 75 percent Gelbvieh with the balance of Angus or Red Angus. Balancer cattle combine the Gelbvieh growth, muscle, leanness, fertility, longevity and low yield grading ability with the carcass qualities of Angus.

Balancer cattle offer a simple and powerful way to maintain hybrid vigor and a profitable blend of British and Continental genetics without a complicated crossbreeding system. These cattle fit well into all aspects of the beef industry including commercial cow-calf operations and on the rail.

Looking to Buy Bulls this Spring? If you’re a producer looking to purchase new genetics for your herd this spring, use Gelbvieh.org as your goto resource for Gelbvieh and Balancer sale information. The upcoming events calendar can be found under the Marketing tab on the website homepage. Also, don’t forget to check out the sale catalog page on the AGA website, Gelbvieh.org, to view upcoming sale catalogs posted by AGA members.

Watch “The American Rancher” Mark your calendar for Monday, February 22, at 8:00 p.m. CST to watch the premiere of the AGA’s new episode of “The American Rancher” on RFD-TV (Dish channel 231 and DirecTV channel 345).

Lone oak CattLe Bring your family and meet ours. Cattle available for viewing after 9:00 AM. Auction begins at 1:30 PM at the Farm. Come early for Beef & Beans.

Please join us Saturday, March 20, 2021 for our 9th Annual Bull Sale

PREVIOUS SALE HIGHLIGHT SELLING 127 LOTS INCLUDING:

17 Fall Aged Bulls, 56 Yearling Bulls, 18 Open Heifers, 10 Bred Heifers, 26 Young Bred Cows

FEATURING THE INFLUENCE OF THESE GREAT SIRES:

D212 Resourceful - 8 Sons Sell!

40 | FEBRUARY 2021

Musgrave Stunner 66B Dave SAV President sept Copperfield KR Gavel JRI oklahoma BT Incredible rra intrigue 727 DL Dually Profit Builder Moderate, Fertile, Performance Cattle! High quality Balancer, Angus, and Angus Hybrid Cattle!

LONE OAK C AT T L E

Eric & Heather Ehresman 20963 30th St. • Mechanicsville, IA 52306 319-480-1564 hornsandthorns@netins.net www.loneoakcattleiowa.com Sale catalogs and videos available at Lone Oak Cattle Iowa or Lone Oak Cattle Facebook. Available late February/early March

FAST FACTS We Focus on Programs for Commercial Producers Feeder Finder Feeder Finder is a free email service offered by AGA to promote and assist in marketing load lots of Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced feeder cattle. Producers who have cattle to sell are encouraged to fill out the online form, or contact AGA staff to submit information about their cattle. An email blast is sent to feedyards and potential buyers to notify them about when and where these cattle are available for sale. Interested buyers can sign up to receive the Feeder Finder emails on the AGA website. Producers are invited to use this service whether the cattle sell by video auction, traditional livestock barn, or private treaty. Balancer® Edge Balancer® Edge is a source and age verification program for feeder cattle sired by Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls.

Offered by the AGA in partnership with IMI Global, this program gives producers the opportunity to participate in a breed-identified feeder calf marketing program with the option to customize. Balancer® Edge customers can choose additional value-added programs, which opens the doors to additional markets and the opportunity to generate even more value for their feeder calves.

AGA’s Commercial Marketing Staff The American Gelbvieh Association has outstanding marketing staff that understands both the beef business and the Gelbvieh breed. They are available to help commercial cattlemen find Gelbvieh or Balancer genetics to fit your program or assist in marketing Gelbviehinfluenced breeding animals or feeder cattle. FF For more information about these or other programs offered by the AGA, please visit www.gelbvieh.org or contact the AGA office at 303-465-2333.

GRU HELLS A COMIN 817H

Cattlemans‘ Choice Bull Sale

REG:1492268 | 50% BALANCER

FEBRUARY 24, 2021 NEW LOCATION: SHARON SPRINGS, KS • 1 PM MTN

302 ASH STREET • SHARON SPRINGS, KS GRUNDBEEFGENETICS.COM | (785) 821•1022 FOLLOW US ON:

GRU HUCKLEBERRY 714H REG: 1489204 | 50% BALANCER

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 41

STAFF EDITORIAL A Bright Future for the Gelbvieh Breed By Jake Renner Thanks to my involvement in 4-H, I garnered a passion for agriculture from a young age, and although I didn’t have cattle, I was able to find my place in the industry. Today, I am proud to share my passion for agriculture and the livestock industry with the members of the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA). Just like your local 4-H or FFA program, the AGJA offers younger agriculturalist an opportunity to explore their passions related to the beef industry. Through a contest held during the annual Junior Classic, active members may participate in more than 12 contests that do not pertain to physically exhibiting cattle. Additionally, members are afforded the opportunity to participate in photography, graphic design, arts and crafts, video, poster, quiz bowl, skill-a-thon, creative thinking, creative writing, prepared speaking, livestock judging and more. New this year, the agriculture podcast contest focuses on creative ability and technological aptitude to discuss and share an assigned topic.

42 | FEBRUARY 2021

Through these contests, we offer our members an outlet to express themselves, regardless of location, cattle ownership, or ability to travel. “The AGJA has given me so many opportunities. It is about so much more than stock shows, but also about meeting new people, the other contests (quiz bowl, photography, public speaking, etc.), and improving our industry as a whole.” – Molly McClure, 17; Hugoton, Kansas. Thanks to the generosity of longstanding Gelbvieh breeders, organizations, and families the AGJA also annually provides nearly $10,000 in scholarships to active AGJA members. Scholarships are provided to the young men and women who take an active role in the industry and strive to educate others about the Gelbvieh breed. In short, AGJA has a place for every youth, and, as the AGJA junior coordinator, I challenge every reader to make a positive difference in the life of a youth they know by sharing the many opportunities AGJA offers. FF

41st Annual Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale At the Ranch near Pierre, SD

Feb. 22 95 Bulls Sell Black & Red

1:00 p.m. Lunch at 11:00

BABR 1301H • Gelbvieh • 2/18/20

BEA 116H • Balancer • 3/6/20

Sale location: 20453 Cendak Rd. Pierre, SD

Live Online Bidding at DVAuction.com BEA 129H • Balancer • 4/16/20

BEAS 1900H ET • Balancer • 3/12/20 Catalog and Videos at BeastromRanch.com & Our Facebook Page For more information or to request a catalog, contact: Jim & Barb Beastrom 605-224-5789

BEA 142H • Gelbvieh • 3/20/20

BABR 1324H • Balancer • 3/6/20

Bulls have been gaining an average of 3.75 pounds per day!

Wes & Brittney Spencer 605-280-0204 Shad & Brandy Ludemann 605-280-3915

Focusing on the Foundation - Born to Breed, Bred to Perform

STAFF EDITORIAL

AGA Registry Uses for the Commercial Producer By Taylor Buckley

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) strives to make life easier for our members, customers, and those inquiring about the breed. The AGA Online Registry Service isn’t just a tool for AGA members with registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® animals. There are also aspects of the registry that commercial producers can benefit from utilizing without an AGA account login. The registry offers ways to learn more about Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle and the people who raise them. Below, we offer opportunities for commercial producers to utilize this resource. The registry: AGA Online Registry Service, can be found at www.gelbvieh.org and navigating to Registry Login under the Registry tab.

First, we are going to focus on aspects of the left-hand side of the registry where it is titled “for your information”. Here, you can look to see what bulls qualify to be AI sires and which donor cows qualify to register ET calves. Once you are on the home page of the registry, under the section titled “For Your Information” you may select portions of the phrase “AI Permit Sires and ET Donor Cows”. By clicking on each individual group, AI Permit Sires or ET Donor Cows, a list of animals will be displayed. This list allows you to make a selection and print a PDF or download a spreadsheet. This tool does not require an AGA username or password, making it very user friendly. To ensure the integrity of the genetics, AGA has several requirements in place that these animals must adhere to, including tested with a genomic option 1 (GGP-HD), be tested for all monitored genetic conditions and be parent verified to both sire and dam. AGA members want to purchase semen and be able to register those AI calves without any issues. The new AI permit search function list allows a producer to pick a cow or bull that is qualified in

44 | FEBRUARY 2021

the AGA system, and also serves as a verification source for embryos that can be registered. Commercial producers may also find value in browsing the list of AI sires, making a selection and finding semen— if a bull is on the list, a producer can rest assured that all of the AGA requirements have been met and there is a better chance that semen has been collected. The same is true for females that a producer may be interested in flushing. Simply browse the list of donors and reach out to the owner to learn more about securing embryos. You may also see the ability to view and download documents under the “for your information” portion of the registry. The documents include: Genetic trends: Outlines EPD trends throughout the past twenty years. Percentile Ranks: This chart breaks down the EPD figures as it ranks on a percentage basis in relation to the breed. Example: a weaning weight (WW) EPD of 75 for a Gelbvieh non-parent animal ranks them in the top 5% of the breed. Trait Leaders: This lists the top 40 sires in each EPD parameter. Progeny Tested Sires: To qualify for this list, sires must adhere to these criteria: 1) Achieve active sire status. This means they have produced a calf born between the past three years. 2) Achieve accuracy on WW EPD greater than 0.65. 3) Hold an AMGV prefix 4) Be owned by (or in partnership with) an active AGA member (junior, regular or lifetime). Genetic Indicator Sires: Same requirements as progeny tested sires except these sires are only required to achieve accuracy WW EPD accuracies between 0.46 and 0.65 to qualify as a Genetic Indicator Sire. Genetic conditions: View free or carrier status of bulls and females for all genetic conditions monitored by the AGA.

Adjustment formulas: This is a great tool to use to calculate animal information such as birth weight adjusted, average daily gain, frame score, etc. Calendar Calculator: Quickly calculate future dates for calving, heat cycle, conception, weaning, yearling, and ultrasound window when a specific date is entered into the date field. There are many benefits that the AGA Online Registry Service can offer Gelbvieh and Balancer commercial producers. Before you purchase your next Gelbvieh animal, or if you simply want to learn more about Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics, remember to check out the AGA Online Registry Service! Also, please don’t hesitate to call the AGA office at 303-465-2333 for more information. FF

Celebr ating o u 37th Year i r n busine ss!

RAILE GELBVIEH ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE

THURSDAY MARCH 11, 2021 12:30 MT | BURLINGTON LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE BURLINGTON, CO

SELLING 50 YEARLING BULLS (RED & BLACK) AND A FEW SELECT OPEN HEIFERS RAIL Record Year 9101G

BALANCER SIRES: EGL ENTERPRISE E080 BAG OUTBACK 4D PROG EXTRA FACTS 12 E RAIL FINAL PAYMENT 8106F FAIL FALCOM 878F ET OGSG OVER FIDDLE 6344F

RAIL Hammer Down 002H AI SIRES JRI OPTIMIZER 148A24 SAV RAIN DANCE 684B TAU WEIGHT UP 98E BABR 114Y RAIL FOUNDING FATHER M 880F

RAILE GELBVIEH

MATT & SARAH RAILE • DELBERT & MARILYN RAILE 755 ROAD U • ST. FRANCIS, KS CONTACT US TO REQUEST A CATALOG!

Delbert cell • 785-772-1141 Matt cell • 785-332-8399 Home • 785-332-2756

www.railegelbvieh.com • email: dmraile@gmail.com THE PROFIT PICTURE | 45

FEATURE

MU beef researchers find improved pregnancy rates with new synch protocol Courtesty: University of Missouri Extension

ordan Thomas, University of Missouri Beef Reproduction Specialist, often begins a presentation with the same question: “Can you afford not to invest in reproduction technology for your cow herd?” he asks commercial producers. The answer, Thomas says, is always a resounding “no”. The reproductive efficiency that those technologies can help to achieve leads to more pounds of calf weaned, reduced cull rates and a longer reproductive life for cows in the herd. All of that equals more money in a producer’s pocket over the herd-life of a cow. Herd improvement is also an important gain, Thomas says, and the genetic gains he has observed commercial producers achieve in a short period of time has fueled the research he and his team continue to execute. “These are technologies that every beef operation can benefit from,” Thomas says of estrus synchronization. He says that reproductive management and technologies like estrus synchronization and timed artificial insemination are not only cost effective, but money makers when it comes to weaning heavier calves. Thomas hopes the new 7 & 7 Synch protocol that his team has researched extensively will move the needle in the adoption of timed AI. The 7 & 7 Synch protocol improves ovarian follicular maturity before the administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by treatment with prostaglandin F2a and an intravaginal progesterone insert, also known as a CIDR, seven days before the GnRH. This ultimately improves the control of the cow’s estrous cycle. Pregnancy rates were markedly better with both conventional and sex-sorted semen using the new protocol. The protocol was found to be highly effective both for cows receiving embryo transfer (ET) and cows receiving fixed-time AI. Extensive field trials with the 7 & 7 Synch observed improvements in the proportion of cows expressing estrus and in the proportion of cows becoming pregnant to ET or to AI. Cows that express estrus prior to fixed-time AI have greater pregnancy rates compared to cows that fail to express estrus. Likewise, cows that express estrus are

46 | FEBRUARY 2021

better candidates to receive embryo transfer, or to receive technologies like sex-sorted semen for fixed-time AI. Therefore, it is critical to generate a fertile and highly synchronous period of estrus expression among the largest possible proportion of cows receiving estrus synchronization.

Figure 1. 7 & 7 Synch with fixed-time artificial insemination. The protocol (Figure 1) begins on Day 0 with prostaglandin F2alpha (PG) administered at the time of CIDR insertion. On Day 7, GnRH is administered, and CIDR remain in place at this time. On Day 14, PG is administered at CIDR removal. On Day 17, timed AI is performed at 66 h after CIDR removal and PG administration. GnRH is administered at the time of timed AI to non-estrous cows or administered to all cows if estrous status is unknown.

Underlying physiology Induction of ovulation with GnRH at the start of a protocol is dependent upon follicular maturity and is therefore frequently unsuccessful due to the absence of a physiologically mature follicle during some stages of the estrous cycle. In cases in which ovulation is successfully induced via administration of GnRH in a standard 7-Day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol, a new or accessory corpus luteum is formed following ovulation and a new ovarian follicular wave is recruited. However, in cases in which ovulation is not successfully induced in a standard 7-Day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol, little control is afforded over the stage of follicular development. This results in varied timing of onset of estrus and ovulation, as well as other challenges stemming from unsuccessful induction of ovulation via GnRH. In contrast, 7 & 7 Synch offers a simple, single-step approach to control stage of cycle in advance of administration of GnRH (Figure 2). By inducing luteolysis and treating with progesterone at a subluteal concentration, follicular atresia is inhibited prior to administration of GnRH and likelihood of an induced ovulation in response to GnRH is increased. This approach affords a greater degree of control over subsequent follicular development and luteal status.

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FEATURE

7 & 7 Synch for embryo transfer A large-scale field trial was designed and conducted in collaboration with Cross Country Genetics (Westmoreland, KS) to evaluate the effectiveness of the 7 & 7 Synch protocol on producer operations. 7 & 7 Synch was compared to the 7-Day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol to synchronize estrus and ovulation among recipients prior to embryo transfer. The trial took place across thirteen locations in Missouri and Kansas and included over 1,300 postpartum beef cows of varying age, postpartum interval, and body condition scores. The proportion of cows expressing estrus and presenting with palpable CL at embryo transfer was significantly greater (P < 0.001) among cows following treatment with the 7 & 7 Synch protocol (Table 1). PROTOCOL

EXPRESSED ESTRUS

PREGNANT/SYNCHRONIZED

7&7 Synch

86% (529/615) a

40% (263/653) x

7-day CO-Synch + CIDR

76% (488/640) b

34% (228/664) y

Source: Bonacker et al., 2020b.

7 & 7 Synch for fixed-time AI An additional large-scale field trial was conducted to compare the 7 & 7 Synch and the 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocols for synchronization of estrus among postpartum beef cows prior to fixed-time AI. To assess field fertility of both sex-sorted and conventional semen, half of the cows assigned to each protocol received sex-sorted semen (SexedULTRA 4MÂŽ) and half received conventional semen. The trial took place in eleven locations across Missouri and South Dakota and included over 1,500 postpartum beef cows of varying ages, postpartum intervals, and body condition scores. 7 & 7 Synch significantly increased the proportion of cows expressing estrus prior to fixed-time AI (Table 2). Additionally, 7 & 7 Synch resulted in increased pregnancy rates to fixed-time AI when using conventional or sex-sorted semen (Table 3). Table 2. Estrus expression prior to fixed-time artificial insemination. PROTOCOL EXPRESSED ESTRUS 7&7 Synch 82% (630/769) a 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR 64% (492/769) b Source: Andersen et al., 2020.

48 | FEBRUARY 2021

Table 3. Pregnancy rates to fixed-time artificial insemination.

PROTOCOL

CONVENTIONAL SEMEN

SEXED SEMEN

7&7 Synch

72% (280/389) a

52% (199/380) c

7-day CO-Synch + CIDR

61% (233/383) b

44% (170/386) d

Source: Andersen et al., 2020.

Frequently asked questions Can 7 & 7 Synch be used in heifers? Use of this protocol in virgin beef heifers has not been evaluated in comparison to other commonly used protocols and is not recommended at this time. Can 7 & 7 Synch be used for a fixed-time ET program? Although estrus expression is highly synchronized following administration of the 7 & 7 Synch protocol, to date no experiments have been conducted evaluating the protocol in a fixed-time embryo transfer program. What if I accidently give GnRH on day 0 instead of PG? A switch of the initial hormone administration from PG to GnRH would alter response. In this case, producers should likely be advised to follow the treatment schedule of the standard 7-Day CO-Synch + CIDR and adjust the planned AI date accordingly. Should I use estrus detection aids? Estrus detection aids (e.g. EstrotectÂŽ Breeding Indicators) can aid in important management decisions. Animals that express estrus prior to fixed-time AI have a higher likelihood of becoming pregnant. Costly semen such as sexed semen can be restricted to animals who have expressed estrus, while lower cost semen can be used for non-estrous animals. In addition, GnRH can be given to only those animals who have not yet expressed estrus at the time of fixed-time AI. Is the extra PG and animal handling worth it? While this answer is based on each individual operation, the increased pregnancy rates resulting from the 7 & 7 Synch protocol offer an opportunity for increased profitability depending on the value of the early pregnancies obtained. In most cases, the value of early pregnancies as well as the year-to-year improvement in reproductive performance is expected to outweigh the cost of one additional dose of PG and animal handling. FF

15th Annual

“Share the Gold”” Bull Sale March 15, 2021 • 1:00 PM MST

Sale will be held at the ranch • Pritchett, CO live bidding is also available on DVAuction

BAL ANCER • GELBVIEH • ANGUS • RED ANGUS

SELLING 100 Stout and Powerful Long Yearling Bulls

ALL WITH ULTRASOUND SCAN DATA • FERTILITY TESTING • DNA AND GENOMIC ENHANCED EPDS

FEATURING 20 Replacement Balancer Females

FEATURED AI SIRES BALANCER: PAYWEIGHT 19C PAYLOAD LIFELINE HIGH DEFINITION DIE CAST

ANGUS: SOUTHERN CHARM RAINFALL CAPITALIST 316 TAHOE AVIATOR

RED ANGUS: LINEBACKER FLASHBACK REDEMPTION

• FIRST BREEDING SEASON GUARANTEED • DELIVERY IS ALSO AVAILABLE!

BLACK GOLD GENETICS

Contact Mark Crane • 719-523-3108 for more information to come look at the Bulls!

Mark & Jennelle Crane Matthew & Micah Crane 23334 County RD 13 Pritchett, CO 81064-9600 719-523-3108 THE PROFIT PICTURE | 49 blackgoldcattlecompany@gmail.com

Judd Ranch 43 Gelbvieh, Balancer rd

at the ranch, Pomona, Kansas • Saturday, March

P P P

Judd Ranch has been honored as the #1 Dam of Merit Cowherd in the Gelbvieh Breed for 21 of the past 23 years, 1998–2020!

P P P

80 lb. average birth weight: 894 lb. actual weaning weight average on the sale bulls.

100% of the Gelbvieh & Balancer sale bulls feature Judd Ranch honored Dam of Merit Genetics. Maternal Cow Power behind every sale bull. Average Daily Gain of fall yearling bulls: 5.52 lbs/day! 198 black polled bulls sell. 290 homozygous polled bulls sell

151 purebred Gelbvieh, 144 Balancer® & 14 purebred Red Angus bulls sell. 35 of the 40 top selling bulls in the 2020 sale sold to commercial producers. Catalog online!

Don’t miss Judd Ranch on The American Rancher! Judd Ranch will be featured on The American Rancher Monday, February 8 at 8:00 PM central time. The episode will also air again at midnight Tuesday, February 9 and Sunday, February 14 at 11:00 AM on RFD-TV (Dish 231 & DirecTV 345) Set your DVR’s! You won’t want to miss the Judd Ranch premier on RFD-TV the week of February 8!

& Red Angus Bull Sale

6, at 12:00 noon • 1 hour southwest of Kansas City

309 Plus

“The Complete Package”

Gelbvieh, Balancer® & Red Angus Bulls Sell

Calving Ease • Growth • Carcass • Fertility

• 210+ 17-19 month old Bulls • 99+ 12-14 month old Bulls P 99% Sired by Breed Leading AI Sires P 198 Black Polled Bulls P 290 Homozygous Polled Bulls P

All sale bulls are Judd Ranch born and raised. Quality Acceptance Guarantee on all

P Sight Unseen purchases

Free Trucking in U.S. on purchases

P of $20,000 +

P Trucking is very affordable because Judd Ranch bulls annually sell into 20+ states

Visit our website • www.juddranch.com Judd Ranch Inc. Dave & Cindy Judd Nick, Ginger, Brent & Ashley

Judd Ranch Gelbvieh Maternal Strength

423 Hwy. K-68 • Pomona, KS 66076 785/ 566-8371 or 785/566-3770

Judd Ranch Red Angus Maternal Strength

Sale Consultant— CATTLEMEN’S CONNECTION

CALL TOLL-FREE: 1-800-743-0026 For Your JRI “Complete Package” Sale Catalog

DATA BULLETIN

EPD Education: Back to the Basics By Tonya Amen, Ph.D.

xpected Progeny Differences (EPD) are our best estimate of an animal’s genetic worth as a parent. They allow you to compare animals based on their anticipated progeny performance for various traits of interest. Through International Genetic Solutions (IGS), the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) joins several other North American beef breeds for a joint genetic evaluation. This partnership benefits the commercial beef industry by providing EPDs backed by millions of pedigree, performance, and genomic records, which are directly comparable across the partner breeds. EPDs are reported in units of the trait and are informative through comparing the EPD value of two or more animals. More traditional traits like weaning weight are fairly easy to interpret, as we all understand that weight is expressed in pounds. Other traits, like calving ease for example may need a little more explanation. Examples follow: In the calving ease example below, one bull has a calving ease direct (CED) EPD of 10 and the other has a CED of 3. CED is used when you’re choosing bulls to breed to first calf heifers and illustrates, as a percent, the chance of easier calving. So, in the example below, when bred to genetically similar first calf heifers, we expect 7% more unassisted births from Bull A than Bull B.

CALVING EASE DIRECT

BULL A +10% BULL B +3% _____________________ DIFFERENCE +7% Calving ease maternal is used as a tool when choosing which bulls’ daughters to keep as replacements. In the example below, when calving as first-calf heifers, we’d expect bull A’s daughters to have 5% more unassisted births than bull B’s daughters.

CALVING EASE MATERNAL

BULL A +8% BULL B +3% _____________________ DIFFERENCE +5% 52 | FEBRUARY 2021

Maternal and Reproductive Traits

Calving ease direct (CED): Percent of unassisted births of a bull’s calves when he is used on heifers. A higher number is favorable, meaning better calving ease. This EPD can be vital to a rancher looking to decrease the amount of calves pulled in his herd. Milk (Milk): The genetic ability of a sire’s daughters to produce milk expressed in pounds of weaning weight. Calving ease maternal (CEM): Represented as percent of unassisted births in a sire’s first-calving daughters. A higher number represents more favorable calving ease. This EPD is important to a rancher’s bottom line because it predicts which animals produce daughters with a genetic predisposition to calve unassisted as heifers. Heifer pregnancy (HP): 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. 30-month pregnancy (Pg30): 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. Stayability (STAY): Predicts the genetic difference, in terms of percent probability, that a bull’s daughters will stay productive within a herd to at least six year of age. The stayability EPD is one of the best measures currently available to compare a bull’s ability to produce females with reproductive longevity. Scrotal circumference (SC): Predicts the difference, in centimeters, of scrotal circumference of an animal’s male offspring at yearling compared to the SC of other animals’ male offspring. Docility (DOC): Is reported as a percentage, with higher numbers indicating a higher percent of offspring receiving a disposition score of 1 (docile).

DATA BULLETIN

Growth Traits

Birth weight (BW): Predicts the difference, in pounds, for birth weight of the calf. Weaning weight (WW): Predicts the difference, in pounds, for weaning weight (adjusted to age of dam and a standard 205 days of age). This is an indicator of growth from birth to weaning. Yearling weight (YW): Predicts the expected difference, in pounds, for yearling weight (adjusted to a standard 365 days of age). This is an indicator of growth from birth to yearling.

Carcass Traits

Yield grade (YG): Differences in yield grade score, which is a predictor of percent retail product. Smaller values suggest that progeny will have a better lean to fat ratio. Carcass weight (CW): Differences in pounds of hot carcass weight, adjusted to an industry standard age endpoint.

Ribeye area (CREA): Differences in ribeye area in inches between the 12th and 13th rib. Greater ribeye areas are preferable. Marbling (MARB): Predicts the differences in the degree of marbling within the ribeye as expressed in marbling score units. Greater marbling numbers are preferable and are an indicator of higher carcass quality grades. Fat (CFAT): Differences for fat thickness, in inches, for a carcass over the 12th rib, smaller numbers of fat thickness are preferable as excess fat can be detrimental to yield grade.

Efficiency Traits

*Average daily gain (ADG): Difference in average daily gain in pounds based on an animal’s performance during a feed intake test period. *Residual feed intake (RFI): Defined as the difference between an animal’s actual daily feed intake and its predicted daily intake based on growth rate and body size. Animals with a positive RFI value are deemed more inefficient because they consume more than expected while animals

B/F Cattle Co. The BIG Picture:

Balancer® Bulls built to Thrive in FESCUE COUNTRY, who sire hardy calves that will have top-notch carcass. And most importantly, they’ll make you a tremendous set of momma cows!

Bull Sale

Mark your calendars!

February 25, 2021 1:00 PM MST.

Livestock Exchange, LLC. Brush, Colorado

#1 Missouri Breeder 2015 - 2020 Dam of Merit & Dam of Distinction

Maternal Integrity Gelbvieh & Balancer®

Bull Sales

Apr. 3, 2021 / Nov. 6, 2021

Brett & Libby Foster Butler, Mo 64730 660-492-2808 bfcattle@yahoo.com “No Bull”

bfcattleco.com

Selling 40 Top Quality, High Performing and Calving Ease Balancer® and Gelbvieh Bulls These bulls are thick muscled, grow fast, and are made for the commercial cattle operation. Jim Roelle 38330 CR 49 Peetz, CO 80747

(H): 970-334-2221 • (C): 970-520-1224 jr.plateau@hotmail.com www.plateaugelbvieh.com

Like us on Facebook at Plateau Gelbvieh

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 53

DATA BULLETIN

with a negative RFI value are considered more efficient because they consume less than expected.

Indexes

Indexes are tools that allow producers to select for several EPDs at once, making selections more efficient than selecting on one trait at a time. Indexes weigh traits based on their importance to a producer’s bottom line by using a trait’s economic and genetic value. Indexes are a good way to put selection emphasis on traits that are economically relevant. Total maternal (TM): An index that combines growth and milk information as a prediction of the weaning weight performance of calves from a sire’s daughters. As an index, this value is not reported with an accompanying accuracy. A greater TM value means a mother that returns comparatively higher weaning weights on her calves. TM Index = MK EPD + ½ WW EPD. $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

54 | FEBRUARY 2021

with stayability and reproductive efficiency as well as other traits that lead to profitability in a production system, such as 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. Efficiency profit index (EPI): An economic selection index developed to aid producers in selecting for more feed efficient cattle that still have acceptable amounts of gain. The EPI provides slight 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. FPI™ which stands for feeder profit index: An economic selection index designed to aid producers in selecting sires whose progeny will perform in the feedlot and are sold on a grade and yield standpoint. Well ranking sires for FPI have higher marbling and carcass weight than their contemporaries. As a terminal index, little emphasis is put on maternal traits such as stayability and calving ease. FF

MOOO-VING . . .

Your herd in the right DIRECTION with Overmiller Gelbvieh and Red Angus ale Production S 2021 , 0 2 y r a u r b e F 1pm , KS Smith Center

Powerful Black Balancers including this one sell

Capitalist 316 X Zip Line first calf heifer, an impressive set out of 1st calvers sell

Offering: 75 bulls, 70 comm. open hfrs. Call to get on mailing list: 785-282-1182 (Kelly) 785-282-0485 (Brent)

PB GV Cornhusker x 028 Donor, 1 of 3 flushmates selling

Red Balancers with body and power sell, including this Enshrined son

NEWS

2020 in the Rearview Mirror: A Year of Success improve upon cutting-edge technology, with input from industry leaders in animal breeding and genetics, and places continuous emphasis on research into novel economically t is no secret that 2020 was full of challenging times relevant traits. Part of this research led to the large update in and uncertainty. Despite the tribulations of 2020, the growth traits we saw in the summer of 2020, which resulted American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) continued to in growth trait EPDs that do a better job of predicting forge ahead in its mission of recording, improving, and performance. promoting Gelbvieh and Gelbvieh-influenced cattle. All areas of the AGA remained focused on the task at hand: In 2020, the AGA also worked with Colorado State improving the Association and the breed for the betterment University (CSU) to release a scrotal circumference EPD. of the beef industry. And this contribution to the beef This EPD was based on an initiative that came out of a industry is where the AGA’s role as a breed association, as breed improvement committee meeting during a past well as the AGA members’ role as seedstock producers are convention. Additionally, the AGA’s Carcass Data Collection highlighted. continued to see success, with the AGA collecting over 500 head of carcass records. In addition to collecting the The seedstock sector of the beef industry is ultimately carcass data, these animals will also be genomically tested. responsible for creating the best genetics. Genetics that Carcass data collection is an important step forward and are intended to be utilized in the commercial sector and, exemplifies the AGA’s commitment to seedstock and at the end of the day, end up on consumers’ plates. Year commercial producers, alike. Carcass over year, AGA data is not commonly submitted continues to focus on GA continues to provide the most to breed associations, but the data the best interest of the is extremely valuable in measuring commercial customer accurate performance predictions economically relevant and viable traits, as a top priority. The possible to describe Gelbvieh and such as marbling and carcass weight. Association creates This data collection, in combination and offers programs Balancer registered cattle. with genotypes, will help to again and services designed increase the accuracy of the genetic to give members and tools producers can use when selecting registered Gelbvieh non-members, alike, the tools they need to be successful in and Balancer cattle. today’s modern beef industry. Whether it’s tools to provide information on the cattle members are selling or marketing Breed percentage and the way animals are represented programs to help their customers market calves, the AGA within the AGA Online Registry Service was a large is focused on Gelbvieh and Balancer® stakeholder success at undertaking from last year. It is important the AGA is all levels. displaying information that is useful for not only seedstock producers but more importantly, commercial cattlemen On the breed improvement front, the AGA continues and women. Working together with the breed improvement to provide the most accurate performance predictions committee, and the entire membership through an open possible to describe Gelbvieh and Balancer registered comment period, the AGA board of directors found a cattle. The AGA’s participation in the International solution that was implemented on January 1, 2021. Genetic Solutions (IGS) Multi-Breed Genetic Evaluation, a collaborative effort that forms one of the most powerful Marketing efforts of promoting Gelbvieh and Balancer genetic evaluations in the world, benefits the AGA and throughout the beef industry continue to increase as the the Gelbvieh and Balancer breeds substantially. Not only staff looks for ways to help increase the breed’s market does the tremendous amount of data flow going into this share. Marketing efforts throughout 2020 consisted evaluation help to make the selection tools more accurate, of print and digital advertising, two episodes of “The the EPDs for growth and carcass traits are also across-breed American Rancher” on RFD-TV, a Gelbvieh and Balancer comparable. Additionally, IGS continues to utilize and segment and commercial airing on NCBA’s “Cattlemen to

By Megan Slater

56 | FEBRUARY 2021

NEWS Cattlemen,” appearances on “Superior Sunrise,” and more. Although COVID-19 resulted in many events going virtual or canceling all together, the AGA’s level of travel was only slightly impacted with travel to Gelbvieh and Balancer stakeholder events staying consistent with last year’s efforts. The American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) also stayed active and productive in 2020, hosting the 2020 AGJA Route 66 Classic, July 5-10 in Springfield, Missouri. It goes without saying that planning a large-scale event during the COVID-19 pandemic was no small feat and the event proved to be the highlight of the year. While some modifications had to be made, AGJA saw a great turnout for the show. Members were able to not only show the cattle they had worked so hard on, but also had the opportunity to participate in contests that assisted in the development of important life and leadership skills. The AGJA board of directors worked hard in 2020, as they do every year . The American Gelbvieh Foundation (AGF) continued their work in serving the AGA membership and continues to ensure a strong financial position for Gelbvieh in the years to come. The AGF was hard at work last year putting together a history book for the AGA’s 50 years in existence. This book was released in late 2020 and is a must-read for

all Gelbvieh enthusiasts. If you have not already gotten your copy, please contact the AGA office to purchase one. In addition, the AGF has begun their sixth annual Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail contest to provide a platform for valuable carcass data and provide additional revenue for the Foundation. The staff has worked extremely hard this year and has done a great job “rolling with the punches” when it comes to the uncertainty COVID-19 has handed everyone. In 2020, the AGA also welcomed three new staff members to the team in the areas of office operations, performance programs, and a new publications editor. As we move forward through 2021 and the final year of the AGA’s current Meeting Modern Industry Demands Strategic Plan it is important for the AGA to stay focused on finishing out this plan strong to play our part in serving the beef industry and the commercial producers who drive it. Over the next year, we will keep our eyes set on the future as we plan for the next five years of the Association. We have a talented staff, a motivated board, and committed members, all of whichare ready to continue promoting the Gelbvieh and Balancer breeds, while positioning the AGA to move forward and increase industry relevance. FF

Colorado, Kansas & Nebraska Breeders Grand Valley

Gelbvieh/Balancer Jim Roelle 38148 CR 49 #7 Peetz, CO 80747 (C): 970-520-1224 jr.plateau@hotmail.com www.plateaugelbvieh.com

BULLS SELL IN “POT OF GOLD” Patrick McCarty

Featuring Black, Polled Gelbvieh & Balancer genetics with balanced trait selection. Next Bull Sale February 25, 2021. Livestock Exchange,LLC., Brush, CO. ®

30 th An

ulls

B 100

100 YEARLING BULLS SELL!

Gelbvieh & Gelbvieh/Angus Balancer® FEB. 26, 2021 • MONTROSE, CO • 12:00 NOON

www.gelbviehbulls.net

or call Mark at 970.209.1956 • Dave at 970.323.6833

FEMALES AVAILABLE

58 | FEBRUARY 2021

MLM Gelbvieh Marlin Meyer

665 Battlement Creek Trail Parachute, CO 81635 (970) 210-6093 Heather Scott (775) 790-3456 Brandon Scott (970) 589-5483

Promote your Operation Advertise with a State Round-up ad in the the two issues of the Profit Picture and the Herd Reference issue of Gelbvieh World

824 Road 3000 Superior, NE 68978 402-879-4976 mlm68978@yahoo.com www.gelbviehbulls.com

Rippe Gelbvieh

Duane & Brenda, Dustin & Karla Rippe 6775 Road D • Hubbell, NE 68375 (H) 402-324-4176 Duane (C): 402-200-0096 Dustin (C): 316-323-4874 dustin.rippe@yahoo.com www.rippegelbvieh.com

“To produce superior Gelbvieh and Balancer® seedstock based on economically important traits, which provide more profitability for our customers, and ensure the consumer a very satisfactory eating experience.”

30th ANNUAL

100 GELBVIEH & BALANCER BULLS LOOK FOR ADDED VALUE WHEN BUYING “POT OF GOLD” BULLS CALVING EASE GROWTHY CALVES DISPOSTION PAP TESTED PROVEN HIGH ALTITUDE CATTLE

Februar y 26, 2021 12:00 NOON

Montrose, Colorado

“Providing dependable genetics to commercial and purebred cattlemen for over 30 years.” Mark Covington (970) 209-1956 Dave Bowman (970) 323-6833

For online catalog and videos visit:

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 59 www.gelbviehbulls.net

EDITORIAL

Genetics and Services to Meet Industry Demands By Tom Strahm

More producers are recognizing the contribution Gelbvieh genetics can make to improve growth and performance, especially in a crossbreeding system. Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced calves wean off heavy and continue to excel with high post-weaning growth that combines rate of gain and feed efficiency that continues through the feedlot phase. Delivering value on the rail is essential for success, as well. Numerous producers who have retained ownership of their Balancer-sired cattle, report that 90% grade Choice or higher. In addition to producing desirable quality grade carcasses, Gelbvieh-influenced cattle add muscling and improve retail yield. According to the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Gelbvieh cattle rank No. 1 for percent retail product. The breed earns a higher percentage of carcasses with Yield Grades of 1, 2, and 3, while reducing the number of Yield Grades 4 and 5, without sacrificing quality grade—an achievement that provides benefit from pasture to plate. The commercial producer remains a focus of the American Gelbvieh Association. The AGA is dedicated

60 | FEBRUARY 2021

to providing genetics to meet the demands of today’s beef industry, a mission that is supported by the valuable programs and services the Association has created to help producers enhance their bottom line.

Balancer Edge ®

Balancer® Edge is a source and age verification program for feeder cattle sired by Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls. This program was initiated by the AGA in partnership with IMI Global, and was first released in August 2018. The program gives producers the opportunity to participate in a breed-identified feeder calf marketing program with the option to customize. Balancer® Edge customers can choose additional value-added programs, which opens the doors to additional markets and the opportunity to generate even more value for their feeder calves.

Feeder Finder Feeder Finder is a free email service offered by AGA to promote and assist in marketing load lots of Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced feeder cattle. Producers who have cattle to sell are encouraged to fill out the online form, or contact AGA staff to submit information about their cattle.

Ar e yo ur bul l s u s e d t o 1 0 , 0 0 0 f e e t ?

Ours were raised there We raise our cattle like commercial cattle! We expect them to survive

the rigid conditions year-round with minimal inputs. As soon as our permit is ready, the pairs are

taken to 10,000 feet to summer! If they can’t survive there, we don’t expect them to survive anywhere! Call today for more information or a sale catalog. Jeff 801-623-8308 Tamara 801-623-8309 www.LovelessGelbvieh.com

Sired by

EGL Game Changer D136

PAP Score: 36 at 7,000 ft!

EGL Lifeline B101

CTR Elevation

Featuring sons of BGGR Blk Payload 5162, DLW Sam ET, SEPT Copperfield ET, SLC Viper, CTR Impressive 5767, Mr. Payweight, JRI Probity

PAP Tested at 7,280 ft. Sale Parnter in the

Jeff and Ta m ara Lo vel es s Spanis h Fo rk , U T 801 -6 2 3 -8 3 0 8 • 8 0 1 -6 2 3 -8 3 0 9 www.Lo veles s G el bvi eh.c o m

Selling 50 Loveless Bulls! March 12, 2021 6:00 pm Spanish Fork Fairgrounds Spanish Fork, UT

EDITORIAL

An email blast is sent to feedyards and potential buyers to notify them about when and where these cattle are available for sale. Interested buyers can sign up to receive the Feeder Finder emails on the AGA website. Producers are invited to use this service whether the cattle sell by video auction, traditional livestock barn, or private treaty.

of cattle for $1 per head annual enrollment. Cows can be enrolled at any time, and all that is required is individual identification, estimated birthdate and possible parentage.

Smart Select Service

Dam production reports, progeny performance reports, and herd summaries are among the reports generated. Smart Select can help identify strengths and weaknesses in the cowherd, enabling producers to make better-informed breeding and management decisions.

Smart Select Service is an online commercial cowherd database and herd management system offered by AGA. This program is available to any producer and any breed

For more information about these or other programs offered by the AGA, please visit Gelbvieh.org or contact the AGA office at 303-465-2333. FF

DOBSON RANCH

Sega Gelbvieh POUND MAKIN’ GENETICS

SPRING BULL SALE MARCH 6, 2021

Breeding Gelbvieh genetics since 1971 AGA Member #1 Offering bulls for sale year round! SO

N RA

62 | FEBRUARY 2021

C I T Y,

DO Steve & Gail Fiolkoski 16509 WCR 86 • Pierce, CO 80650 Gail’s Cell: 970/590-4862 • Steve’s Cell: 970/381-0600 Email: gafiolk@aol.com • www.segagelbvieh.com Like us on Facebook @segagelbvieh

SALE WILL BE ONLINE

Dobson Ranch

Jim Dobson • 405.880.6173 John Dobson • 405.880.6661 Jared Bain • 580.716.4211 12460 E. River Road Kaw City, OK 74641

Bar arrow Cattle Company 31ST ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE 80 GelBvieh & BalanCer® yearlinG Bulls 15 GelBvieh & BalanCer® elite heifers

March 9, 2021• 1:00 PM CST • At the Ranch

BaG 37h

BaG 85h

AMGV1478527 | BA75% Sire: BAG FAST BACK EPD

AMGV1493984 | PC75% SIRE: BAG FAST BACK

CREA

1.7

120

-.19

.84

EPD

% Rank

SIRE: BAG CLYDE 46D

CREA

2.8

116

-.14

.70

EPD

% Rank

SIRE: SKYS ENCORE CW

CREA

1.4

119

-.11

.74

EPD

% Rank

CREA

2.2

119

0.00

.49

Other sires include: GRU Early Encounter, LAZY TV Sam Elliot, and BAG Dave F292 Stuart Jarvis

AMGV1478593 | BA75% SIRE: IVERS CINCH

AMGV1478566 | BA50% |homo polled

% Rank

AMGV1493983 | BA63% | HOmo polled

BaG h17

BaG h13

EPD

BaG 65h

CREA

114

-.11

.71

Phillipsburg, KS • e-mail: bararrow@ruraltel.net www.bararrowcattlecompany.com 785/543-8120 C Cody: 785/309-6455 Kayla: 785/302-0429

Cowman’s Kind

BULL AND FEMALE SALE 14G3

383B8

50% Balancer Cow Sire: Connealy Consensus 7229 Dam: DCSF Arata 80R2 Dam 80R2, sold to Martin Gelbvieh as a donor in a past Cowman’s Kind Sale.

CED BW WW YW MK 13 -0.1 76 114 20

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 58 6 -0.01 34 0.35 0.42 84.56 130.17

43C2

CED 12

BW 0.5

WW 82

YW 128

MK 24

TM 65

CEM YG CW 7 -0.02 63

REA MB FPI 0.77 0.23 83.11

44% Balancer Bull || Homo Black Homo Polled Sire: BDCG DC 147E13 102 WW ratio, 104 YW ratio. Top 10% growth EPDs.

919G 80% Gelbvieh Cow Homo Polled Sire: RWG Traction 7412 Dam: CCRO 7309T ET daughter of our famed 7309T donor. Also selling ET sisters and brothers.

CED BW WW YW MK 10 -0.2 66 95 24

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 57 0 -0.23 30 0.68 0.14 71.82 49.46

CED BW WW YW MK 13 0.9 88 134 24

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 68 8 0.04 56 0.58 0.37 89.51 123.29

50% Balancer Bull || Homo Black Homo Polled Sire: Basin Payweight 1682 Dam: TOG Star 188W ET He and five full ET brothers sell.

402B2

933G Purebred 97% Gelbvieh Cow Sire: JRI Top Producer 283Z2 Dam: DCSF Winnie 247Z2 ET YW ratio on her progeny is 108.

CED BW WW YW MK 10 -0.3 63 97 13

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 45 -1 -0.17 31 0.70 0.34 74.16 79.55 CED BW WW YW MK 13 0.6 74 111 15

3041 E. Hwy. 284, Barnard, KS 67418 Leland Clark: 785.392.0888 Office: 785.792.6244 Fax: 785.792.6250 • Email: prcc@twinvalley.net www.postrockcattle.com “Where calving ease, performance and eye-appeal come together.”

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 52 6 -0.26 41 0.82 0.57 86.69 84.42

50% Balancer Bull || Homo Black Homo Polled Sire: Basin Payweight 1682 Dam: TOG Star 188W ET He and five full ET brothers sell.

FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • 12:30 PM (CST)

200G8

Post Rock Cattle Company Sale Facility • Barnard, Kansas

115 BULLS SELL • 80 FEMALES SELL

Gelbvieh and Balancer® • Including all six year old cows.

340B8

56% Balancer Bull Homo Black Homo Polled Sire: EGL Game Changer D136 Dam: DCSF Wilma 294Z8 Herdsire potential! Dam is 294Z8 donor. CED BW WW YW MK 10 1.6 80 123 11

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 51 8 0.04 45 0.46 0.44 83.17 153.35

69G5

CED BW WW YW MK 12 -1.5 61 91 15

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 46 4 -0.05 28 0.42 0.27 72.70 96.00

58% Balancer Bull Homo Black Homo Polled Sire: VLK C503 Young Gun Dam: DCSF Wilma 69Y8 Big Ribeye herdsire potential. Dam is 69Y8 donor.

75% Balancer Cow || Homo Polled Sire: JRI Top Producer 282Z3 Dam: DCSF Wilman 294Z8 Maternal sister to 200G8 bull also pictured out our donor 294Z8.

231C8 CED BW WW YW MK 15 -0.6 58 88 18

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 47 8 -0.08 43 0.62 0.53 77.78 98.39

344G8

CED BW WW YW MK 9 1.3 71 115 19

51% Balancer Bull Homo Black Homo Polled Sire: VLK C503 Young Gun Dam: DCSF 329B8 Heifer Bull. Dam is two time Dam of Merit.

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 54 7 -0.01 37 0.34 0.37 77.77 125.26

62% Balancer Cow Sire: CTR Momma Maker 0056X Dam: DCSF Wilma 299Z8 Weaned three calves with a nursing ratio of 102.

CED 16

BW WW -2.0 60

YW 81

MK 14

TM 44

CEM YG 9 0.08

CW 25

REA MB FPI 0.07 0.18 70.37

Sale broadcast live online at www.dvauction.com

Broadcasting Real-Time Auctions

COWMAN’S KIND SALE FEATURES • • • •

All bulls have genomic enhanced EPD’s and are sire verified and tested for Homo Black and Homo Polled All bulls have complete ultrasound data and complete performance data 95% of all bulls are Homo Polled and 80% are Homo Black as well All bulls developed in large open lots on a high roughage ration

• • • •

Video of entire offering available on line after February 1 First breeding season death and injury guarantee Customer Service and Customer Satisfaction have kept us in the seed stock business for more than 55 years Every sound 6 year old female sells as our annual dispersal to assure you of 1st chance at our best genetics

www.mms.bz SALE MANAGEMENT BY: Mitchell Marketing Service Chris Mitchell 334-695-1371 20180 NE Roy Golden Road Blountstown, FL 321424

NEWS

Gelbvieh Association Awards Commercial Producer of the Year

oren Fischer of Nevada, Missouri, was honored as the American Gelbvieh Association’s (AGA) 2020 Commercial Producer of the Year during the awards presentation held virtually on December 4, 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% calving in the fall and 40% 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.

Montana Breeders

“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. FF

Quality livestock that Work for you Performance + Safety = Profit from Pasture to Plate

“Gelbvieh since 1973”

Want to Please • Strong Bone • Intelligent • Athletic

Kathleen Rankin 406-937-4815 1285 Nine Mile Rd. • Oilmont, MT 59466 krankin@northerntel.net www.kickinghorseranch.com

50 Goose Creek Rd. • Raynesford, MT 59469 Ranch Phone: 406.738.4220 • BarJRGelbvieh@3rivers.net BarJRGelbvieh.com

Our Annual Production Sale, March 19, 2020

Gelbvieh

Carcass Quality • Calving Ease • Tenderness • Docility

Quarter Horses

66 | FEBRUARY 2021

Performance cattle for the real world.

NEWS

American Gelbvieh Association Awards 2020 Breeder of the Year

n 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 presentation, 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 female 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.

Steve and Gail Fiolkoski, owners of SEGA Gelbvieh, were honored as the 2020 AGA Breeder of the Year during the annual meeting, held virtually on December 4.

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. FF

South Dakota & Minnesota Breeders SwenSon Gelbvieh Dean Swenson

17513 Hwy 10 Little Falls, MN 56345 swen@centurylink.net (h) 320.632.5848 • (c) 320.630-5536

Polled • Purebred Red • Black

68 | FEBRUARY 2021

CATAPULT YOUR PROFITS TO THE NEXT LEVEL! TENDERNESS CALVING EASE GROWTH

FELIX JMR 825F

CARCASS DOCILITY FERTILITY CED BW WW YW HP CW FPI 18 -1.7 70 102 10.36 42 77.18 AMGV1416644 • PB88 • 04/23/18 Homo Polled • 10 for TENDERNESS Sire: JRI Profit Producer 254B32 Ranking within the top 15% of the breed for CED, BW, HP, SC, & CW

FELIX SEMEN AVAILABLE

through: Cattlemen’s Connection • 800.743.0026 Bull Barn Genetics • 800.535.6173

Semen also available on these Bar JR herd sires: JMR 704E, JMR 705E, JMR 713E, JMR 820F, JMR 606D, JMR 501C & KHR 09W

MATERNAL POWER IS GELBVIEH

Bulls and Females sold private treaty. Small quantity, but TREMENDOUS QUALITY!

Gelbvieh

RAISED ON MAMA’S MILK AND GOD’S GRASS

50 Goose Creek Rd. | Raynesford, MT 59469 Ranch Phone: 406.738.4220 BarJRGelbvieh@3rivers.net | www.BarJRGelbvieh.com

NEWS

American Gelbvieh Association Honors Longtime Contributor with Hall of Fame Induction

r. Glenn Wehner of Rocking GV Gelbvieh in Kirksville, Missouri, was inducted into the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Hall of Fame for 2021. The induction took place during the awards presentation at the AGA Virtual Annual Meeting on December 4, 2020. The AGA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals for lasting contributions to the growth and development of the Gelbvieh breed. Hall of Fame inductee selection requirements include contributions to breed promotion efforts, leadership provided to the association, and the breeding of superior genetics that are of great influence within the Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle population. Dr. Wehner, one of the earliest AGA members, was an agriculture science professor at Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri, where he introduced hundreds of students to the Gelbvieh breed. He has a Ph.D. in animal nutrition. He developed the first Gelbvieh herd maintained by Truman State University as well as his own fullblood Gelbvieh herd. “We bred purebreds at the time, at the university, and I wanted to stay with purebreds,” said Wehner. “A purebred operation is obviously different than a commercial, but you can teach all the commercial aspects with a purebred herd, so it seemed like a good fit for the university. When I put in my own herd, I decided we would go with fullbloods so that’s where we are today.” Dr. Wehner has seen many positive changes within the breed over the years and has been influential in reducing mature cow size in Gelbvieh cattle. “We’ve seen a lot of positive changes. We’ve stayed on top of the mothering ability, early fertility, pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed, longevity, and those things that definitely have an impact on the bottom line of an operation,” said Wehner.” Along with his wealth of knowledge of the Gelbvieh breed, Dr. Wehner has been involved in many ways with the AGA and the American Gelbvieh Foundation (AGF)

70 | FEBRUARY 2021

over the years. He has been a promoter of the fullblood Gelbvieh herd book, served on numerous committees and currently serves on the AGF board of directors as treasurer. With his involvement in the AGF executive committee, he has played an instrumental role in developing the AGA’s 50-year history book. “I think it’s one of those things that gives us the history of the breed in Germany and all the way up to our present time,” said Wehner. “Some of the positive changes we’ve seen are going to be very accepted and highlighted in that book.” Willing to knowledgeably discuss the breed with anyone, Dr. Wehner continues to be an avid proponent of Gelbvieh cattle today and still teaches a few classes at Truman State University. The endeavors and contributions of Dr. Wehner have not only improved the breed, but the association as a whole. “I am profoundly humbled by this nomination,” said Wehner. “When I looked at the line of people ahead of me with this honor, and thought about their contributions, it’s just surreal to be included in that line.” FF

McMahan Cove Gelbvieh

American Outlaw PB94% Homo Black & Homo Polled AMGV1436052 * El i te EP D P ro fi le *

AAAA

*Two wee k old A meri can Ou tla w bull c alf* McMahan Cove Gelbvieh Stevenson AL

*Semen available on Outlaw through Bull Barn and Cattlemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Connection*

James LeRoy 423-443-9038 Matt LeRoy 423-240-3895

NEWS

Board of Directors Election

embers of the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) elected five candidates to the board of directors during the 2020 AGA Annual Membership Meeting held virtually on December 4, 2020.

The newly elected board member is William McIntosh, Georgetown, Kentucky. Re-elected to serve a second term were Dustin Aherin, St. Charles, Missouri; Jeff Loveless, Spanish Fork, Utah; Dan McCarty, Rifle, Colorado; and Derek Martin, Bucklin, Kansas. The AGA board of directors also elected individuals to serve in leadership positions on the executive committee for 2021. Dan McCarty was re-elected president. Klint Sickler was re-elected vice president. Both John Carrel, Columbus, Montana, secretary, and Derek Martin, treasurer, were elected to serve a second term in their role.

Other members of the board include: Todd Bickett, DVM, Chickamauga, Georgia; Leland Clark, Barnard, Kansas; Mark Covington, Montrose, Colorado; Lori Maude, Hermosa, South Dakota; Andrea Murray, Kingfisher, Oklahoma; Randy Sienknecht, Gladbrook, Iowa; Jeff Swanson, Oxford, Nebraska; Tom Vehige, Billings, Missouri. The retiring member of the 2020 AGA board of directors was Lowell Rogers, DVM, Seminary, Mississippi. The AGA would like to thank Lowell for his years of service on the AGA board of directors. FF

Iowa & Arkansas Breeders Martens Gelbvieh

Martin Cattle Company

712.764.5007 (H) â&#x20AC;˘ 712.249.5744 (C) martensgl@yahoo.com

David & Rita Martin

Gary Martens 2126 500th St â&#x20AC;˘ Walnut, IA 51577

Neola, Iowa

Gelbvieh-Angus-Balancer Black & Polled Private Treaty Sales Breed-leading Performance from Quality Genetics

Kevin Gunderson: 402-510-8103

72 | FEBRUARY 2021

Al Schulz: 402-676-5292

Annual Bull and Female sale in March with the Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh Group

256 Boyce Road Judsonia, AR 72081 C: 501.278.7614 www.martincattleco.com

Private Treaty Sales Available Year Round

OVER 400 Angus, Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls will sell in Seedstock Plus Sales this spring! Arkansas Bull & Female Sale

North Missouri Bull Sale

March 6, 2021 Hope Livestock, Hope, AR 70 - 2 year old & 18 month old bulls! Plus Females!

February 27, 2021 Kingsville Livestock, Kingsville, MO Selling 150 - 18 month old bulls! ALL BLACK!

ALL SALES! Bid & Buy at:

CALL TOLL FREE FOR YOUR CATALOG TODAY 877-486-1160

DVAuction DV

email: john@seedstockplus.com

South Missouri Bull & Female Sale

RED REWARD Bull & Female Sale

March 27, 2021 Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage, MO Selling 150 - 18 month old & yearling bulls! ALL BLACK! Open Balancer -type Black heifers!

March 13, 2021 Wheeler Livestock Auction Osceola, MO Selling 60 RED Gelbvieh & Balancer bulls Plus Red Females!

•

Guaranteed Sight-Unseen Purchases! Let us help you find the bull to fit your program & needs! Free Trucking on every bull! No fine print! The best disposition & soundness sort! Extensive Data & Genomic EPDs! All Bulls Are Semen & Trich Tested! Over 200 RFI tested bulls sell in these sales! Videos of sale bulls on website the week before the sale! www. dvauction.com or www.seedstockplus.com

• • • • • •

NEWS

Fifth Annual Gelbvieh Foundation Carcass Contest Results Released

esults of the fifth annual American Gelbvieh Foundation (AGF) Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail Sire-Identified Carcass Contest have been finalized. Producers from Iowa and Nebraska took home top honors with prize payouts totaling $4,000. The AGF continues to help advance the Gelbvieh and Balancer® breed through its support of research and development. For this reason, the AGF launched the Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail Sire-Identified Carcass Contest in 2016. These two projects together provide the information and funds necessary to generate datasets to advance Gelbvieh and Balancer carcass merit. The AGF Steer Challenge is a competition amongst individual Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced steers in which the judging criteria focuses on carcass value and average daily gain in the feedyard. The Steer Challenge gives an opportunity for participants to donate a steer to the AGF. All proceeds from the donation go toward

research and development within the breed. Two steers were donated this year from Green Hills Gelbvieh, Mount Ulla, North Carolina, and Flying H Genetics, Arapahoe, Nebraska. Thank you for your generosity. The Champion Steer for carcass value in the steer challenge contest was owned by Flying H Genetics. This steer had a total carcass value of $1,582.92 and graded USDA choice. Flying H also took home Champion Steer for Average Daily Gain in the steer challenge contest. This animal gained 3.93 pounds per day, the calves were on feed for 205 days at Darr. In its fifth year, seven ranches participated at Darr Feedlot in Cozad, Nebraska. All steers were harvested in July 2020 with a total of 133 individual carcass data records. CKS Gelbvieh of Collins, Iowa, won big at this event, taking home three of the five prizes in the scale and rail contest. CKS Gelbvieh had the champion Gelbvieh steer in the carcass value category with an animal that valued at $1,593.70. This steer also posted $436.50 for an

Performance cattle for the real World dedicated to Gelbvieh for 48 Years 50 years of continual whole herd AI Over 35 years of Performance Testing

SIRES REPRESENTED: KHR 96D KHR 01E TV SAM BLACK ICE GRANITE YALE IMPACT Z204 KHR 52C KHR 41E KHR 03F TAYLOR MADE

A nnual Production Sale – March 18, 2021 Western Livestock Auction • Great Falls, MT

40 Performance Tested Yearling Bulls and 20 Open Heifers Red and Black • Purebred and Balancer

For your next herdsire or female purchase, look to Kicking Horse Ranch Kicking Horse Ranch

1285 Nine Mile Road

Olimont, Montana 59466

Jim & Kathy Bjorkman 406-937-4815

www.kickinghorseranch.com krankin@northerntel.net

Jeanette Rankin 406-937-3728

74 | FEBRUARY 2021

increase in value. They also had the champion Gelbvieh steer in the average daily gain category with an animal that gained 4.40 pounds per day. CKS Gelbvieh also owned the champion pen of Gelbvieh steers in the Scale and Rail Contest with a total carcass value of $4,323.56. AMGV1395460 (CKS Legacy E64), owned by CKS Gelbvieh, Collins, Iowa, sired the pen of three steers. This group of steers averaged a marbling score of USDA Choice, Yield Grade 3, with a 15.98 square inch ribeye and 944 pound average hot carcass weight. In total, CKS Gelbvieh took home $1,500 in prize money. In the Balancer division, Eagle Pass Ranch of Highmore, South Dakota, won champion steer in the carcass value category. This steer valued at $1,637.29. This steer also

NEWS

posted $522.85 for an increase in value and graded USDA choice. Rick and Kim Taylor of Wauneta, Nebraska, won the Champion steer in the average daily gain category with a steer that gained 4.46 pounds per day and was on feed for 205 days at Darr.

Hamilton Farms of Hitchcock, South Dakota, won the champion pen of Balancer steers. The steers had a total carcass value of $4,649.61. AMGV1331092 (EGL Code Red C081 ET) owned by Robert Farlee and Eagle Pass Ranch sired the pen of three steers. This group of steers averaged a marbling score of USDA Choice, Yield Grade 1, with a 15.27 square inch ribeye and 1,017 pound average hot carcass weight. In total, Hamilton Farms took home $500 in prize money. FF

SQB

Squeakin’ By-LK Farms

5th Annual Production Sale February 28th 2021 Gelbvieh~Balancer Herd Sire/AI Sire DCH Hille A119 “Kodi”

Www.sqblkfarms.com Facebook.com/sqblkfarms 64636 719 RD Shubert, NE (402)883-7246 (402)245-7512

Herd Sire SQB Hot Diggety Dog 174C

View/bid on lots at dvauction.com Bidding opens at 7:00 am on February 27 and closes at 7:00pm on February 28, 2021

sqblkfarms@gmail.com THE PROFIT PICTURE | 75

NEWS

Gelbvieh Association Carcass Data Collection Project

he American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) announced the Carcass Data Collection Project as its latest breed improvement endeavor, at the 49th annual convention, about a year ago. The Carcass Data Collection Project is a joint effort of the AGA and American Gelbvieh Foundation (AGF) and is designed for AGA members and their customers.

to be paired with genotypes and incorporated into the genetic evaluation. Such phenotypic and genotypic data will provide Gelbvieh breeders with tools to make their management decisions more efficient and accurate. Ultimately, the Carcass Data Collection Project aims to increase the carcass record database and enhance the predicting power of genomic panels.

The focus of this project is to provide vital genetic information to re-charge the carcass database and enhance the predictability of current selection tools.

Program eligibility is structured to ensure high-quality data is collected throughout the project. Eligible cattle must be sired by a bull registered with the AGA and have a minimum breed composition of 25% Gelbvieh and dams must be identifiable for age and breed composition. All calves must be tagged with an EID, have a DNA tissue sample collected, and must conform to contemporary grouping guidelines. Participants will also need to have access to harvest data records.

For decades, United States consumers have continually recognized the value of superior beef products. Such recognition has driven the growing demand of a superior beef eating experience on a national and global scale. U.S. cattle producers and industry affiliates have responded to demand by placing an emphasis on improving carcass merit and rewarding high quality carcasses with price premiums. The AGA is committed to providing its membership with powerful and reliable tools for genetic improvement. Expected progeny differences (EPDs) related to carcass traits tend to have lower accuracies due to lack of carcass data submitted on Gelbvieh and Balancer-sired progeny. Lower EPD accuracy limits the rate of genetic progress for carcass traits. Even though carcass traits are highly heritable, the prediction power of carcass EPDs is currently limited by these lower accuracy values. Lack of carcass records also limits the power of genomic marker effects. Genomics and ultrasound records can help improve the accuracy of carcass EPDs, but even combined cannot provide high accuracy carcass EPDs without actual carcass data on progeny. The increasing significance and subsequent recognition of carcass value amongst beef industry segments has led to the AGA and AGF’s investment in launching the Carcass Data Collection Project. The Carcass Data Collection Project is designed to deliver AGA members and their customers the opportunity to submit carcass data on Gelbvieh and Balancer®-influenced genetics and provides an avenue for harvest data on terminal cattle

76 | FEBRUARY 2021

Under the Carcass Data Collection Project, the AGA, with the support of Neogen, will cover the cost of genotyping all eligible cattle in the project. Genotypes are used to improve the genomic panels’ ability to predict carcass traits as well as sire-verify the participating cattle in the project. Sire-verification is a very valuable yet underutilized tool for commercial cattle producers to rank bulls used in multi-sire pastures. Participants in this project will be able to capitalize on these and more benefits of genomic technologies without incurring the cost. This project has been off to a great start! The AGA has received carcass data and have TSU’s processing at the lab on 600 head of cattle. The AGA looks to continue to collect many more carcass records and encourages members and commercial customers to consider this project. As the modern beef industry continues to evolve, so do the expectations of commercial cattle producers; the AGA is dedicated to delivering the industry with the genetics that are smart, reliable, and profitable from the ranch to the rail. For more information on participating in the Carcass Data Collection Project visit Gelbvieh.org or contact Tom Strahm, AGA commercial marketing director, at 303-465-2333 or tom@gelbvieh.org. FF

EVENTS OF INTEREST February 2021 Feb. 1

Taubenheim Gelbvieh 31st Annual Production Sale, Amherst, NE

Feb. 1

Green Acres Cattle Co. Private Treaty Bulls, Lamont County, AB

Feb. 1

Flatland Ranch Private Treaty Bulls, Hanna, AB

Feb. 1

Alexander & Kaylin Schultz Private Treaty Bulls, Hay Lakes, AB

Feb. 1

Hilltop Gelbvieh Private Treaty Bulls, Stony Plain, AB

Feb. 4

Black Hills Stock Show Gelbvieh & Balancer® Show & Sale, Rapid City, SD

Feb. 12 Lemke Cattle 15th Annual Bull & Heifer Sale, Lawrence, NE Feb. 13 Prairie Hills Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale, Dickinson, ND Feb. 13 Thackeray Land & Cattle Bull Sale, Goodwater, SK Feb.13-21 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Show & Sale, Kearney, NE Feb. 15 Duke Cattle Co. Private Treaty Bulls, Wildwood, AB Feb. 16 Draft Picks 2021 Bull Sale, Red Deer County, AB

Feb. 20 Swanson Cattle Co. Annual Production Sale, Oxford, NE Feb. 20 Overmiller Red Angus and Gelbvieh Production Sale, Smith Center, KS Feb. 21 Larson’s Lost River Livestock 11th Annual Production Sale, Clearbrook, MN Feb. 22 Beastrom Ranch 41st Annual Bull Sale, Pierre, SD Feb. 24 Cattleman’s Choice Bull Sale, Sharon Springs, KS Feb. 26 30th Annual “Pot of Gold” Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale, Montrose, CO Feb. 25 Hillsdown Gelbvieh Private Treaty Bulls, Red Deer County, AB Feb. 25 Plateau Gelbvieh Bull Sale, Brush, CO Feb. 27 Foursquare Farms Bull Sale, Olds, AB Feb. 27 Post Rock Cattle Co. “Cowman’s Kind” Bull & Female Sale, Barnard, KS Feb. 27 Seedstock Plus North Missouri Bull Sale, Kingsville, MO Feb. 28 Squeakin’ By LK Farms 5th Annual Production Sale, Shubert, NE

March 2021 Mar. 1

Hojer Ranch 29th Annual Gelbvieh & Balancer Production Sale, Lake Preston, SD

Feb. 16 Gelbvieh Gold Sale, Des Moines, IA

Mar. 1

MLM Gelbvieh Open House and Private Treaty Kickoff Sale, Superior, NE

Feb. 18 Gustin’s Diamond D Gelbvieh Production Sale, Medina, ND

Mar. 1

LCF Gelbvieh Private Treaty Bulls, Hazlet, SK

Mar. 1

Long Lane Cattle Co. Private Treaty Bulls, Redcliff, AB

Feb. 16 Cedar Top Ranch 43rd Annual Maternal Empire Bull Sale, Burwell, NE

Feb. 20 Twisted T Gelbvieh Heifer & Bull Sale, Lloydminster, SK

78 | FEBRUARY 2021

Mar. 1

Towerview Ranch Private Treaty Bulls, Medicine Hat, AB

Mar. 1 Mar. 2

EVENTS OF INTEREST Mar. 8

Feist Gelbvieh 33rd Annual Bull Sale, Bowman, ND

Severtson Land & Cattle Bull Sale, Red Deer County, AB

Mar. 9

Bar Arrow Cattle Company, 31st Annual Production Sale, Phillipsburg, KS

Warner Beef Genetics Genetic Investment Bull Sale, Arapahoe, NE

Mar. 11 Raile Gelbvieh Annual Production Sale, Burlington, CO

Mar. 2 Jen-Ty Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale, Medicine Hat, AB

Mar. 12-13 Gelbvieh Advantage Bull Sale, Red Deer County, AB

Mar. 3-5 JSJ Livestock Online Bull Sale, Hartney, MB

Mar. 12 Quest of the West Cattle Sale, Spanish Fork, UT

Mar. 5

Davidson Gelbvieh and Lonesome Dove Ranch 32nd Annual Bull Sale, Ponteix, Saskatchewan Canada

Mar. 13 Midwest Beef Cattle Consultants 18th Annual Open House and Bull & Female Sale, Carthage, IN

Mar. 5

Chimney Butte Ranch Annual Production Sale, Mandan, ND

Mar. 13 Seedstock Plus Red Reward Bull & Female Sale, Osceola, MO

Mar. 5-7 Kentucky Beef Expo Gelbvieh & Balancer Show and Sale, Louisville, KY

Mar. 13 Genetic Power Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale, Springfield, MO

Mar. 6-7 Jace Cattle & Associates Bull & Commercial Female Sale, Botha, AB

Mar. 13 Rippe Gelbvieh 22nd Annual Bull Sale, Belleville, KS

Mar. 6

Thorstenson’s Lazy TV Ranch 40th Annual Production Sale, Selby SD

Mar. 15 Black Gold Genetics 15th Annual “Share the Gold” Bull Sale, Pritchett, CO

Mar. 6

Hilltop Farms Annual Gelbvieh/Balancer Bull and Female Sale, Carthage, MO

Mar. 17 Fladeland Livestock and Twin View Livestock Bull Sale, Moose Jaw, SK

Mar. 6

Judd Ranch 43rd Annual Bull Sale, Pomona, KS

Mar. 6

Flying H Genetics 41st Roughage N’ Ready Herd Bull Sale, Arapahoe, NE

Mar. 18 Kicking Horse Ranch Annual Production Sale, Great Falls MT

Mar. 6 Sheridan Ranch 26th Annual Bull Sale, Burley, ID Mar. 6 Seedstock Plus Arkansas Bull & Female Sale, Hope, AR Mar. 6

SEGA Gelbvieh Spring Bull Sale, Pierce, CO

Mar. 19 12th Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh and Balancer Sale Creston, IA Mar. 20 Lone Oak Cattle Co 9th Annual Bull Sale, Mechanicsville, IA Mar. 26-27 Nelson Gelbvieh & Pin to Point Gelbvieh Bull Sale

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 79

EVENTS OF INTEREST Mar. 27 Cranview Gelbvieh 17th Annual Genetic Progress, Rugby ND

Apr. 10 TJB Gelbvieh/Three T Farms Bull Sale, Chickamauga, GA

Mar. 27 Flying H Genetics 28th Grown On Grass Herd Bull Sale, Butler, MO

October 2021

Mar. 27 Seedstock Plus South Missouri Bull & Female Sale, Carthage, MO Mar. 27 Bluegrass Gelbvieh Invitational Bull & Female Sale, Mt. Sterling, KY Mar. 28 Best of Breeds Bull Sale - Goodview Gelbvieh, Yorkton, SK

April 2021 Apr. 3

B/F Cattle Co Maternal Integrity Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale, Butler, MO

Apr. 12 Cattle Capital Bull Sale - Overby Stock Farm, Ste. Rose du Lac, MB Apr. 10 Knoll Crest Farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spring Bull & Female Sale

80 | FEBRUARY 2021

Oct. 23 Flying H Genetics 29th Grown on Grass Herd Bull Sale, Butler MO

November 2021 Nov. 6

B/F Cattle Co Maternal Integrity Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale, Butler, MO

Visit the online version of Upcoming Events at Gelbvieh. org for additional dates on upcoming sales and more information on each event. Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: If you have a sale or event information for this listing, please email the information to laura@gelbvieh.org. This includes tours, expos, field days and other Gelbvieh events.

WHISKEY eclipse D6292 – AMGV1351498

$25

PER UNIT

Blake hojer — 605.860.0139 Dan wahlmeier — 785.567.3072

Need to add some power back into your herd? Introducing the most consistent purebred Gelbvieh bull (99.9%) on the market and a gorgeous female maker.

CW: 33 | CED: 10 | BW: 1.9 | WW: 68 | YW: 107 | Milk: 27 FACEBOOK.COM/CRIPPLEDW | FACEBOOK.COM/HOJERRANCH | YOUTUBE: WHISKEY ECLIPSE BULL

99.9% GV

BREEDERS CORNER SERVICE CENTER

All your A.I. needs!!

Bull Barn Genetics 35 Years in business

• Gelbvieh • Angus • Red Angus • Simmental • Club Calf • Salers • Shorthorn • Dairy • Charolais • Hereford

• Sheaths • Gloves • Cito Thaw Units • Tanks • A.I. Kits • Arm Service

Eldon & Kathy Starr

210 Starr Dr • Stapleton, NE 69163 bullbarn@bullbarn.com 800-535-6173 www.bullbarn.com

Cattlemen’s Connection

Specializing in

• Gelbvieh Semen Sales • Consulting • Order Buying (all purchases guaranteed) Roger & Peg Gatz (785) 742-3163 Call Toll-Free:1-800-743-0026

Visit our Web Site: www.cattlemensconnection.com

Ronn Cunningham

Are you a livestock photographer, an auctioneer, aspire to be a sale manager or graphic designer?

AUCTIONEER P.O. Box 146 • Rose, OK 74364 918-629-9382 cellular

Dan McCarty • Auctioneer • • Professional Ring Service • 970-481-5217

Put your ad in Service Center and promote your services! Place your ad today!

303-465-2333

Subscription and Advertising Information

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: A one-year subscription to Gelbvieh World may be purchased for $35. Members of the AGA pay $35 of their membership dues to receive a subscription to Gelbvieh World. Gelbvieh World mails on or around the 25th of the month prior to publication date. Canada and Mexico - $60 U.S. for one-year. Other foreign - $85 U.S. for one-year.

Gelbvieh World Advertising Rates

CLOSING DATE: Ad materials and editorial deadline is the 25th of the month two months prior to publication date. (December issue deadline is October 25th). Ads for sale dates prior to the 15th of the month of publication are discouraged.

Full Page $780 1/3 Page $392 Column inch $30

For Feb./Sept. (Commercial Editions) and June/ July (Herd Reference Edition) please call for deadline information.

82 | FEBRUARY 2021

STANDARD ISSUES: Full Page $717 1/2 Page $454 1/3 Page $347 Column inch $30

2/3 Page 1/2 Page Isand 1/4 Page

$562 $482 $268

Feb./Sept. Commercial Profit Picture 1/2 Page 1/4 Page

Color: Four Color $300 additional One Additional color $150 additional

$504 $309

ADVERTISING CONTENT: The Graphic Designer and/or the Director of Administration reserve the right to reject any or all advertising on any reasonable basis. Gelbvieh World and/or American Gelbvieh Association assumes no responsibility for the advertising content as submitted. Advertisers assume all responsibility for the accuracy and truthfulness of submitted advertising containing pedigrees or statements regarding performance. Advertisers shall indemnify and hold harmless Gelbvieh World and American Gelbvieh Association for any claims concerning advertising content as submitted.

Call today: 303-465-2333

TH E S O U R C E F O R

BREED LEADING GENETICS!

cdgv170341 bw: 87 lbs ww: 979 lbs yw 1492 lbs SC(365): 39.9cm

RWG GUILT TRIP 9418 ET ced bw ww yw milk tm cem hp pg30 stay doc sc yg cw crea marb cfat 10 1.9 75 104 22 60 5 3.06 0.05 17 10 1.00 -0.11 35 0.68 0.30 0.00

LIMITED 2021 SEMEN AVAILABLE THE $28,000.00 1/2 INTEREST ELITE SON OF RWG EXACT COMBINATION 7409 HOMO POLLED PUREBRED PARKLAND 31E - DAM OF GUILT TRIP

Donor Dam

RWG KITTY’S GENES 9430 ET RWG GRAND PLAN 9420 ET ced bw 13 -1.1

ww 74

yw milk 107 28

RWG KITTY’S DREAM 6526 ET tm cem hp pg30 stay doc yg cw crea marb cfat 65 7 3.06 0.05 16 9 -0.13 36 0.79 0.18 0.01

RODNEY & TANYA HOLLMAN Red Deer County, Alberta R: 403-588-8620 T: 403-352-9283

these two elite purebred bulls sell, Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 in the

“DRAFT PICKS 2021 BULL SALE”

ROYALWESTERNGELBVIEH.COM

BREEDERS CORNER

WESTERN BREEDERS UPPER MIDWEST BREEDERS

ARIZONA The Prosser Family

MONTANA

IOWA

Quality livestock that Work for you Quarter Horses Want to Please Strong Bone Intelligent Athletic

Gelbvieh Carcass Quality Calving Ease Tenderness Docility

1496 Goose Creek Rd. • Raynesford, MT 59469 Ranch Phone: 406.738.4220 • BarJRGelbvieh@3rivers.net BarJRGelbvieh.com

928/289-2619•928/380-5149cell Winslow, AZ

www.bartbar.com • info@bartbar.com

RFI Tested Balancer®, Gelbvieh & Angus Bulls Sell Annually in April at the Ranch

Ridge Top Ranch

Gelbvieh-Angus-Balancer

COLORADO

Breed-leading Performance from Quality Genetics

Kevin: 402-510-8103 Al: 402-676-5292

Ricky Linquist th Street inquist 1135 190 inquist

Dave & Dawn Bowman

55784 Holly Rd. • Olathe, CO 81425

(970) 323-6833 www.bowkranch.com

“POT OF GOLD”

Neola, Iowa

Black & Polled Private Treaty Sales

Fonda, IA 50540

arms (712) 288-5349 arms

NEVADA

Gelbvieh & Red Angus

Email: rickylin@ncn.net www.linquistfarms.com

BULL SALE

FEBRUARY 26, 2021

Dick & Jean Williams P.O. Box 156 Orovada, NV 89425 775•272•3442

“Pounds Make Profit in Your Pocket” Bulls & Heifers Private Treaty

Jim Roelle 38330 CR 49 Peetz, CO 80747

(C): 970-520-1224 jr.plateau@hotmail.com www.plateaugelbvieh.com

ProHart

Gregg Hartman SEED STOCK 36975 South Rd. grhartman@hotmail.com Pueblo, Co 81006 719 - 948 - 4415 719 - 948 - 2960

WASHINGTON LEDGERWOOD GELBVIEH Gelbvieh • Red Angus • Balancer® Pete & Samee Charriere

2633 Hwy 12 East • Clarkston, WA 99403

509-566-8805 • LedgerwoodGelbvieh@gmail.com “Seedstock that work for the commercial cattleman

WYOMING

9/9

Nine Bar Nine Gelbvieh Wesley Brown

3794 Rd. 215 • Cheyenne, WY 82009 307-351-6453 • ninebar9@hotmail.com Purebred Bulls, Heifers & Select Embryos Performance BRED in, Not FED in!

84 | FEBRUARY 2021

LONE OAK C AT T L E

Eric Ehresman 20963 30th St. Mechanicsville, IA 52306

hornsandthorns@netins.net

(319) 480-1564

Martens Gelbvieh

Gary Martens 2126 500th St • Walnut, IA 51577 712.764.5007 (H) • 712.249.5744 (C) martensgl@yahoo.com Annual Bull and Female sale in March with the Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh Group

HH H

Triple H Farms Roy & Nancy Holste 3113 260th Street Clarinda, IA 51632 712-303-0263 • 712-303-1947 tripleh1@unitedwb.coop

Bulls and Heifers for sale Private Treaty

PERFORMANCE • EXCELLENCE • PROFESSIONAL At Kinsley Feeders we pride ourselves on: • • • •

High performance environment Partnership opportunity Cattle and feed financing Risk management

DEREK MARTIN, MANAGER

dmartin@kinsleyfeeders.com | www.kinsleyfeeders.com

It's time to book your Winter/Spring Sale Dates!

Visit or call Rance Long 918.510.3464 or Jeff Stansberry 615.479.1852 for details.

BREEDERS CORNER

UPPER MIDWEST BREEDERS

SwenSon Gelbvieh

Dean Swenson

17513 Hwy 10 Little Falls, MN 56345 swen@centurylink.net (h) 320.632.5848 • (c) 320.630-5536

Polled • Purebred • Red • Black

NORTH DAKOTA IDAHO

Thorstenson Gelbvieh

Selby, South Dakota Annual Bull Sale 1st Saturday in March

6700 County Rd. 19 S. Minot, ND 58701 (701) 624-2051 (H) (701) 720-8823 (C)

MINNESOTA Rob Arnold

Gelbvieh

Schafer Farms, Inc. SFI

Email: RLAGelbvieh@aol.com

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers® Balancer®

37740 240th Ave., Goodhue, MN 55027 Brian Schafer Lowell Schafer 1-888-226-9210 651-923-4587 brian@schaferfarm.com www.schaferfarm.com Private Treaty Bull Sale — Last Sat. in February Annually

Dennis & Sherry Gustin Family Al and Peggy Gustin Mandan, ND • 701/663-7266

Richie & Sarah Heinrich 701/320-6484 (cell) email: gustindd@wildblue.net www.gustinsdiamondd.com

We want to Keep up with AGA members.

Keith, Janice, Dustin & Britney

Please send in information to be included in the Gelbvieh World and on our website: • • • •

Vaughn & Wendy Brian & Dee Dee 605-649-6262 605-649-9927 Gina | 605-850-9390 www.Balancerbulls.com

Items for Events of Interest News for Information Exchange Dates for upcoming shows and field days. State Association news

605-852-2131

kvolek@venturecomm. net

SOUTH DAKOTA

Plus, add us to your mailing lists when sending out sale catalogs. Send all items to: Gelbvieh World 1001 S. 70th Street, Ste. 215 Lincoln, NE 68510

lori.maude@gmail.com

Lori Maude 303.809.3789 (C) Ranch 605.255.4448 Hermosa, SD

If you’re not here, how does your customer find you?

Annual Bull Sale 3rd Saturday in December.

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 87

BREEDERS CORNER

NORTHEAST BREEDERS SOUTHEAST BREEDERS

NORTH CAROLINA

“Superior Gelbvieh and Balancer Cattle”

Chris & Jordan Hampton • Charles & Sue Hampton

Quality Gelbvieh, Angus & Balancer Cattle

DUANE & WENDY STRIDER, OWNERS

(336) 964-6277

ccrosscattle@yahoo.com • ccrosscattle.com

839 Davistown Rd. Celina, TN 38551 931-243-3213 H 931-510-3213 C hamptoncattlecompany@gmail.com

Registered Bulls & Replacement Females

Tucker Farms Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle BULLS FOR SALE

ILLINOIS

CCRO CAROLINA EXCLUSIVE 1230Y

J & K GELBVIEH FARM, INC.

640 McAdams Loop Jacks Creek, TN 38347 TuckerFarmsTN@gmail.com

CCRO CAROLINA LEVERAGE 3214A

THE HERD THAT CONSISTENTLY PRODUCES CATTLE WITH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS AND EYE APPEAL.

Milton Tucker 731-608-5274

ANNUAL BULL & FEMALE SALE 2 SATURDAY IN NOV. ND

Private Treaty Sales Available Year Round.

VIRGINIA

Jerry & Karen Wilson 335 Gelbvieh Lane, Ava, IL 62907 Producing Black, Polled Genetics for Today & Tomorrow.

618-521-8620 • jkgf88@frontier.com

REGISTERED GELBVIEH AND BALANCER®

REGISTERED POLLED GELBVIEH C.H. Morris & Sons, LLC

Roger Morris • C.W. Moss 928 Morris Road Appomattox, VA 24522 434.574.6592 Roger Morris C.W. Moss 434.315.4294 434.391.4458

INDIANA

3 G Ranch

Walter & Lee Teeter 1380 French Belk Rd. • Mt. Ulla, NC 28125 (704) 664-5784

Gelbvieh Cattle For Sale Carl, Rebecca & Emily Griffiths

260/897-2160 • ggge3g@embarqmail.com

Galax, Virginia

Your call or visit is Always Welcome

276.233.0999 • grippey@embarqmail.com

Get ready for upcoming sales!

TENNESSEE

Advertise in Gelbvieh World or the Profit Picture

CAVE CREEK CATTLE JEFF PROCTOR

CHARLOTTE, TN | 931.801.5787 WWW.CAVECREEKCATTLE.COM CAVECREEKCATTLE@GMAIL.COM

KENTUCKY Coles Bend Cattle Company

Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer® Cattle

Raising registered Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle since 2000.

Trent Jones Smith Grove, KY • 270.590.5266

88 | FEBRUARY 2021

Gale Rippey Farms SPECIALIZING IN COMMERCIAL BALANCER® FEMALES

1577 N 600 E • Kendallville, IN 46755

ClinCh Mountain Gelbvieh

John & Liz Loy (865) 687-1968 (865) 235-8869 (C)

7611 Dyer Rd. Luttrell, TN 37779 j.b.loy@att.net

Bulls & Heifers for Sale

www.knollcrestfarm.com knollcrest@knollcrestfarm.com Office (434) 376-3567 Fax (434) 376-7008 James D. Bennett 434/376-7299 Paul S. Bennett 434/941-8245 Jim G. Bennett 434/664-7935 Brian R. Bennett 434/664-8309 Dalton G. Bennett 434/664-7946 PO Box 117 • Red House, VA • 23963 Total Performance Bull Sale • Dec. 4, 2020

W L

QUALITY GELBVIEH CATTLE

LITTLE WINDY HILL

Farms Doug & Sue Hughes 6916 Peppers Ferry Road Max Meadows, VA 24360 C 276/620-4271 lwhf@wiredog.com

DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T MISS

THE AMERICAN RANCHER

FEBRUARY 22, 2021 8 PM CENTRAL

Â®

SOUTHERN BREEDERS

BREEDERS CORNER OKLAHOMA

ARKANSAS

H ODGES R ANCH ALALBAMA

Neal

(870) 426-4469 or (870) 704-9450

15702 Hodges Rd., Omaha, AR 72662 Hodgesranch@live.com

Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer Genetics Available Private Treaty Sales

LeGRAND Ed & Alberta LeGrand

809 S. Redlands Rd. • Stillwater, OK 74074

405-747-6950 • alane@c21global.com

Homo. Black, Homo. Polled • Breeding Stock Available

Martin Cattle Company

Koehn Cattle Co.

256 Boyce Road Judsonia, Ar 72081 C: 501.278.7614 www.martincattleco.com

73243 Carter Rd., Goltry, OK 580-541-2633 koehncattlecompany@gmail.com

David & Rita Martin

Private Treaty Sales Available Year Round

Patrick Koehn

Gelbvieh Genetics at Work

If you’re not here, how does your customer find you?

SEND HIS CREDENTIALS WITH HIM...

Transfer the registration on the bulls you sell and give your customers the tools to become more profitable. • Provides access to value added marketing services for customer’s calves • Commercial customers receive a free 1-year subscription to Gelbvieh World and the Profit Picture • Allows customers to track pedigree information to manage inbreeding and maximize heterosis

1001 S. 70th Street., Ste. 215 Lincoln, NE 68510 303-465-2333 • www.gelbvieh.org

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 91

New

n o i t a c o L

Saturday, March 27, 2021 • 1:00 PM ET Bluegrass Stockyards, MT. Sterling, KY

Selling 35

Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls Many Homozygous Black and Homozygous Polled

Selling 25

Gelbvieh & Balancer Females Several bulls sired by the calving ease, maternal specialist Godfather 575C

For catalog or information contact:

Sale managed by

Slaughter Sale Management

Elite Cow/Calf Pairs Sell!

David Slaughter 162 Hastings Lane Fredonia, KY 42411 Phone: (270) 556-4259 E-mail: hmslghtr@aol.com

Like us on Facebook at Slaughter Sale Management

2020 Beef Expo Champions Grand Champion Bull Aces High 2075G exhibited by Hill Country Cattle Company and purchased by Sugar Creek Farms.

Gelbvieh/Balancer® Show 1:00 PM ET, Friday, March 5, 2021

Gelbvieh/Balancer® Sale

11:30 AM ET, Saturday, March 6, 2021

Junior Heifer & Steer Show

8:00 AM ET, Sunday, March 7, 2021

Selling 28 Lots: Lots: Bulls • Bred Heifers • Open Heifers • Cow/Calf Pairs Sale co-sponsored by: The Kentucky Gelbvieh Association and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture

92 | FEBRUARY 2021

Sale Managed by: Slaughter Sale Management David Slaughter 162 Hasting Lane Fredonia, KY 42411 270-556-4259

Grand Champion Female Fredonia 205F exhibited by Pleasant Meadows Farms and purchased by R & D Owen Farms. Like us on Facebook at Slaughter Sale Management

BREEDERS CORNER

MIDWEST BREEDERS

Consistent Genetics Adding Pounds & Profit

Myron & Valerie Bahm

Committed to raising quality seedstock Registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® Cattle Elmer, Brenda, Brad & Benny McWilliams Asbury, MO 64832 • 417-842-3225 • 417-529-0081(cell)

NOWACK

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer®

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle

Jared, Caisie, Brooke & Cameron

Gilbert & Debra

573.280.4633

39414 SW 75th Rd. Odell, NE 68415 (402) 766-3627

417-576-0687(c)

email: whiteoakfarms@live.com

NEBRASKA

Cattle Company Owensville, MO

Mark & Patty Goes

21640 Lawrence 2192 Aurora, MO 65605

573.646.3477

Squeakin’ By-LK Farms Gelbvieh Bulls Black

Kyle & Lori Kuker Shubert, NE

Balancer Females Red

402-883-7246

402-883-2366 402-245-7512 sqblkfarms.com Facebook.com/sqblkfarms sqblkfarms@gmail.com

Bulls and Females for Sale by private treaty year round.

GELBVIEHV BALANCERV ANGUS

ROCKING GV GELBVIEH

Private Treaty Bull & Heifer Sales • Orchard, NE Val Livingston • www.88ranch.com • 402-655-2288

Polled Fullblood Gelbvieh Cattle Dr. & Mrs. Glenn Wehner 22533 Spencer Lane Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-7502

Jeff Swanson • 308/991-0727 10908 724 Road • Oxford, NE 68967 www.swansoncattleco.com

Annual Sale—Last Saturday in February

GELBVIEH

RogeRs Valley FaRm gelbVieh

BALANCER

J. J. Boehler

70948 L Rd. , Orleans, NE 68966 308-473-7342 • 308-999-0207

Breed for Tomorrow’s Cattle Today!

A Breed Leader in Tenderness & Marbling–

www.rogersvfg.com

Cedar Top Ranch Scott & Raberta Starr 212 Starr Drive • Stapleton, NE 69163 (H): 308-587-2293 • (C): 308-530-3900 cedartopranch@gpcom.net

P.O. Box 51 Mendon, MO 64660 (660-375-7266 (C) Ronald RogeRs

Eldon Starr: 1-800-535-6173 or Rich Johnson: 402-368-2209

email: rogers_valley_farm_feedlot@hotmail.com

RUMFELT

Gelbvieh Bre

CONTACT:

BRAD, Amy OR KARLEY RUMFELT 417-664-6936 brumfelt7556@gmail.com PHILLIPSBURG, MO

F LY I N G H G E N E T I C S

Scott Wolf Travis Wolf 308.537.3588 308.529.3733 Gothenburg, NE • wolfgelbvieh@gmail.com www.facebook/wolfgelbvieh.com

Nebraska & Missouri Kyle Helms – NE 308-962-6940

Missouri Oﬃce 417-309-0062

Visit us at– www.ﬂyinghgenetics.com Flying H Genetics

Looking for a sale or event?

Check out Upcoming Events on the website: www.GELBVIEH.org

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 93

BREEDERS CORNER

MIDWEST BREEDERS

KANSAS

Bar Arrow Cattle Company Stuar t Jar vis

Holle Gelbvieh

Orrin & Kevin Holle Oberlin, KS 785.626.0081

WWW.HOLLEGELBVIEH.COM

26 E. Limestone Rd. • Phillipsburg, KS 67661

e-mail: bararrow@ruraltel.net • 785/543-5177

Judd Ranch Inc.

Gel

bvie

MISSOURI

Dave & Cindy Judd Nick, Ginger Judd & Family Brent & Ashley Judd 423 Hwy. K-68 • Pomona, KS 66076 785/ 566-8371

“Where workin’ cattle and eye appeal come full circle” John & Carla Shearer 2815 Navajo Rd. • Canton, KS 67428 circle_s@hometelco.net

Timothy Mulroy • 785-640-6401 Mayetta, KS • tim@blackgoldinc.biz

620.628.4621

620.654.6507 (John Cell) • 620.654.6731 (Johnny Cell)

Annual Production Sale 1st Saturday in April

Get ready for upcoming sales! POST ROCK CATTLE COMPANY

If you’re not here, how does your customer find you?

3041 E. Hwy. 284, Barnard, KS 67418 Bill Clark: 785.792.6244 Leland Clark: 785.392.0888 Leland Clark: 785.792.6208 Office: 785.792.6233 Fax: 785.792.6250 Email: prcc@twinvalley.net

Advertise in Gelbvieh World or the Profit Picture

Promote for Success! Upcoming Advertising Deadlines: Purebred A.I. Seedstock Bulls and Heifers Available. Al & Mary Knapp Cell: (913) 219-6613 18291 158th Street H: (913) 724-4105 Basehor, KS 66007 www.triplekgelbvieh.com e-mail: knappa@swbell.net

94 | FEBRUARY 2021

September issue of Profit Picture Ad deadline: August 3

Call 303-465-2333 today!

Now Taking Semen Pre-Orders For a March 1, Delivery!

Frontrunner DLW TPG

AMGV1439628

Online at anguslive.com

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10 UNITS $350 20 UNITS $700 FREE SHIPPING 30 UNITS $1000 FREE SHIPPING

CALL TODAY TO PLACE YOUR ORDER. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED.

SEMEN SALES OPEN!

DAN WARNER --308-962-6511 DUANE STRIDER-- 336-964-6277 KENDALL KILBOURNE--606-309-4662

YOUR CATTLE ARENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T COMMON...

WHY SHOULD YOUR BERMUDAGRASS BE?

PRODUCTIVE A consistent, top-yielding variety

PERSISTENT

Deep rooted for increased heat and drought tolerance*

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Excellent for high quality hay and grazing

*compared to common bermudagrass

1-800-285-SEED or pennington.com

Pennington with design is a registered trademark of Pennington Seed, Inc.

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 95

AD INDEX

3 G Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 88 Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 ABCS Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 American Rancher. . . . . . . . . . . 90 B/F Cattle Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . 53, 93 Bar Arrow Cattle Co.. . . . . . 63, 93 Bar JR Gelbvieh. . . . . . . 66, 69, 84 Bar T Bar Ranches. . . . . . . . . . . 84 Beastrom Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Black Gold Genetics. . . . . . . . . . 49 Bluegrass Invitational. . . . . . . . . 92 Boehler Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Bow K Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . 39, 84 Bull Barn Genetics. . . . . . . . 22, 82 C-Cross Catte Company. . . 88, 95 C.H. Morris & Sons, LLC . . . . . 88 Canadian Gelbvieh Association . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 35, 82 Cattlemen’s Connection. . . . .1, 82 Cave Creek Cattle. . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Cedar Top Ranch. . . . . . . . 94, BC Chimney Butte Ranch. . . . . 77, 87 Circle S Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 CJ&L Livestock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Clinch Mountain Gelbvieh. . . . 88 Coles Bend Cattle Company. . . 88 Cranview Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . 13, 87 Cripple W Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . 81 Dan McCarty Auctioneer. . . . . 82 Danell Diamond Six Ranch. . . . 84 Davidson Gelbvieh & Lonesome Dove Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Diamond L Farms . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Doak Lambert Auctioneer . . . . 82 Dobson Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Draft Picks Sale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Ertel Cattle Company . . . . . . . . 17 Flying H Genetics. . . . . . . . . 23, 94 Gale Rippey Farms. . . . . . . . . . . 88 96 | FEBRUARY 2021

GelbviehAuction.com. . . . . . . . 86 Green Hills Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . 88 Grund Beef Genetics. . . . . . . . . 41 GS Ridge Top Ranch . . . . . . 72, 84 Gustin’s Diamond D Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 87 Hampton Cattle Company . . . . 88 Hart Farm Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . 93 High Bar Cattle Company. . . . . 47 Hilltop Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 94 Hodges Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Hojer Ranch . . . . . . . 11, 68, 81, 87 Holle Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Iowa Beef Expo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 J & K Gelbvieh Farm, Inc.. . 17, 88 Judd Ranch Inc. . . . . . . . 50, 51, 93 Kentucky Beef Expo. . . . . . . . . . 92 Kicking Horse Ranch. . . 66, 74, 84 Kinsley Feeders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Knoll Crest Farm . . . . . . . . . . 3, 88 Koehn Cattle Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Larson’s Lost River Livestock . . 31 Ledgerwood Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . 84 Lemke Cattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Linquist Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Little Windy Hill Farms. . . . . . . 88 Lone Oak Cattle Co.. . . . . . . 40, 84 Loveless Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . 61 M&P Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Martens Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . 72, 84 Martin Cattle Company. . . 72, 91 McMahan Cove Gelbvieh. . . 71, 91 Mitchell Marketing Services. . . 82 MLM Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . 38, 58, 94 Mulroy Farms, LLC. . . . . . . . . . 93 Nine Bar Nine Gelbvieh . . . . . . 84 Nowack Cattle Company. . . . . . 94 Overmiller Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . 55

Pennington Seed . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Plateau Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . 53, 84 Plus One Cattle Co. . . . . . . . . . . 93 Post Rock Cattle Co. . . . 64, 65, 93 Pot of Gold Sale . . . . . . . . . . 58, 59 Prairie Hills Gelbvieh. . . . . . . 5, 87 Prohart Seedstock. . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Raile Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Rippe Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . 27, 28, 58 Rock Solid Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . 87 Rocking GV Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . 94 Rogers Valley Farm Gelbvieh. . 94 Ronn Cunningham Auctioneer. . 82 Royal Western Gelbvieh . . . . . . 83 Rumfelt Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Sawtooth Gelvieh Cattle & Hay.84 Schafer Farms, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . 87 Seedstock Plus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 SEGA Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Sheridan Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Southwest Iowa Bull Sale. . . . . . . 9 Squeakin By LK Farms . . . . 75, 94 Swanson Cattle Co. . . . . . . . 67, 94 SweetPro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Swenson Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . 68, 87 Taubenheim Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . 94 Thorstenson Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . 87 Thorstenson’s Lazy TV Ranch. . 19 Thull Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 TJB Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC Triple H Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Triple K Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Tucker Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Volek Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Warner Beef Genetics . . . . . . . IBC White Oak Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Wilkinson Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . 84 Wolf Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

GeneticINVESTMENT WARNER BEEF GENETICS

Bull Sale

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 • 1:00 PM ( CST ) At the Ranch, Arapahoe, NE

DLW 4544G - PB Gelbvieh Jackpot 7551B x 2520Z

DLW 1018H - Balancer® Stevenson Declaration x 2510Z

DLW 432G - Balancer® Payweight 1682 x 1316Y

SINK 9023G - PB Angus Insight 1505 x 691

DLW 5141G - Balancer® Durant 6296D x 5141D

DLW 591H - PB Gelvbieh Dedication x 591C

Bulls bred right and fed right FOR TODAY’S PROGRESSIVE CATTLEMEN. 50 Age-Advantaged 18 month olds and 95 Spring Yearlings. Offering high quality bulls in volume. SIGHT-UNSEEN SATISFACTION - VOLUME DISCOUNTS - FULL GUARANTEED.

GELBVIEH, BALANCER® AND ANGUS BULLS

Selling 145 lots.

Sale broadcast live online at www.dvauction.com

WARNER BEEF GENETICS Dan and Kate Warner 42198 Road 721, Arapahoe, NE 68922

Broadcasting Real-Time Auctions

Dan Warner: 308.962.6511 Monte Warner: 308.962.6136 Darren Warner: 308.824.2950

43RD ANNUAL

MATERNAL EMPIRE BULL SALE S

FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • 12:30 PM BURWELL, NE SELLING 225 HEAD INCLUDING: BALANCER, ANGUS & RED ANGUS BULLS & HEIFERS Featuring 63 ET BULLS from AGE & PRODUCTION

PROVEN DAMS & 50 BRED HEIFERS

CEDAR TOP RANCH is your

PREMIER SOURCE for RANGE DEVELOPED 2-YEAR OLD BULLS! ALL BULLS FEED EFFICIENCY TESTED!

CTR Jackpot 8660 F High-selling bull at 2020 Maternal Empire Bull Sale

CEDAR TOP RANCH Scott & Raberta Starr 212 Starr Drive • Stapleton, NE 69163 308-530-3900 (Scott) • 308-530-2720 (Austin) email: cedartopranch@yahoo.com

Do One Thing... Do It Well...We Raise Beef Cattle