Official Publication of the American Gelbvieh Association
December 2008
Meet the Director Candidates A Visit With AGA President Vaughn Thorstenson
February 17, 2009
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Contents contents
News
December 2008, Vol. 23, No. 5
12 Jungmann Earns National Association of Animal Breeders Award 14 Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Bull Futurity Still Generates Excitement 17 Indiana Gelbvieh Association Field Day 18 American Gelbvieh Association Convention Schedule & Registration 19 Steps to Take When Dealing with Abnormal Calves 21 Maternal Edge Female Sale Creates Gelbvieh Demand 39 Some Parasites Sidestep Cold Weather 41 Become a Master of Beef Advocacy 44 West Virginia Association Field Day 51 2009 National Convention Honorees 54 Balancers Top the Average at Edisto Forage Test Sale
Sales
Page 42
20 Southern Belles Volume III Sale
A visit with the AGA President
20 4th Annual Ozark Pride Sale
Features
45 Seedstock Plus Showcase Sale
association
45 White Brothers Herd Reduction Sale
22 Meet the Board Candidates
54 Flying H Genetics Grown on Grass Bull Sale
profile
42 Building a Family Tradition
Page 21
Departments
By Lori Maude
46 Smilin’ All the Way to the Bank
By Lori Maude junior focus
32 The President’s Biofuel Mandate: Winning Senior Creative Writing Entries Page 46 On the cover: Susan Willmon, AGA Director of Breed Improvement, took this month’s cover
photo at Wiley Gelbvieh in Montana. A freak October snowstorm made it look a lot like winter when it was still fall. Read more about Wiley’s operation in the View from the Field section beginning on page 48.
EDITOR: Lori Maude E-mail: lorim@gelbvieh.org PRODUCTION: Katie Danneman E-mail: katied@gelbvieh.org Advertising Sales: Randy Sienknecht (319) 290-3763 E-mail: rmsink1209@msn.com
“Gelbvieh World” (ISSN 1084-5100), is published monthly except for February, June and October for $35 for one year. The American Gelbvieh Association, 10900 Dover St., Broomfield, Colorado 80021-3993.
Periodicals postage paid at Broomfield, Colorado and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to: Gelbvieh World, 10900 Dover Street, Broomfield, Colorado 80021
Contact Us Executive’s Corner President’s Message Bits & Pieces Hooves & Horns Junior Voice Junior Shows Shows View From the Field Places to Be New Members Ad Index
8 8 10 16 17 24 25 26 48 52 52 53
Wayne Vanderwert
Executive’s Corner executive’s corner
Breeders Wanted…no white fence required A while back Volkswagen used the simple “Drivers Wanted” tagline for their advertising. Instead of trying to sell the car, they sought to sell the driving experience and pride of ownership that came with buying a Volkswagen. Most of us like to think of ourselves as drivers, so the campaign played well on our psyche. Maybe we should consider this as a marketing strategy for the Gelbvieh breed and your program. Would it work to sell the concept of being a “breeder” to help the AGA grow membership numbers and for you to sell females, semen, embryos and “breeder-type” bulls? This isn’t just some cute idea to fill up a monthly column space; I really think there are a couple opportunities here. First it might very well be a fresh approach for you with a couple of your best customers or a deserving 4-H or FFA member to get them to “breeder” status. You can mentor a new breeder and it could help your market for years to come. Even greater in magnitude is the opportunity because of market timing. I think we should take advantage of what has occurred in the beef industry over the past few months… because Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle are uniquely positioned to do so, we (that includes YOU) should be more aggressive NOW! “Oh,” you say, “the timing’s not right for this industry.” When it comes to market timing watch the smart money. My daughter graduated from college this spring with a degree in economics and went to work for a financial company that operates in the mortgage arena. Bad career timing you’re thinking; read on. In the last few months they’ve raised $1.5 billion in capital from shrewd investors while popular opinion is wringing its hands on how bad things are in the housing and mortgage arena. Why do I see opportunity for the Gelbvieh breed? The winds of change are blowing in our direction…take advantage of it. These are some of the things you can use to sell a membership and establish a new breeder. We’ve witnessed a crack in the practice of commercially straight breeding Angus cattle. That crack is widening. Evidence occurred in last spring’s bull sale season. Several breeders commented that could have | December 2008
sold more Gelbvieh bulls. Commercial cattlemen wanted a purebred Gelbvieh bull to fix some of the problems that result from stacking generations of Angus. In their minds a Balancer bull might not have been a big enough step. That is right in line with the concept of SmartCross and crossbreeding made easy. These same people will eventually want a Balancer bull to stabilize the right mix of Gelbvieh and Angus in their cowherd. I would suspect that the Curly Calf issue in Angus cattle would also have commercial cattlemen looking at crossbreeding as a way to dilute out a recessive gene. Show the potential breeder the data on mature cow size from the Meat Animal Research Center and how it relates to reduced production costs. Emphasize that Gelbvieh are a high output breed, greater weaning weight or faster feedlot gains and heavier carcass weight depending on the end user’s market point. The effort that the Gelbvieh breed has put into Breed Direction is also a selling point. Just like Volkswagen was looking for drivers, we’re looking for “Breeders”, people who are up to the challenge of building balanced cattle that the industry wants. Show your potential breeder the table from my column in the July Gelbvieh World that defines the EPD profile of the “perfect” Gelbvieh bull. People like standards, targets to aim at; our EPDs and Genetic Trend charts give us the perfect opportunity to measure results. Throw out the challenge to the people your talking to, if they bite, they are the kind of people we need in the breed. They are the kind you’ll want to mentor. We’ll be talking about a new program, the “GPA” breeder designation, at convention and in the coming months. This is like a multilevel UL seal of approval that will reward and recognize breeders for their efforts in breed improvement. Another selling point. Lots of stuff happening, lots of OPPORTUNITY. Don’t forget the New Deal 2009 AGA Convention. Great Genetics, Great Programs, Great People! Wayne Vanderwert is the American Gelbvieh Association Executive Director. He can be reached at waynev@gelbvieh.org or by calling 303-465-2333.
303/465-2333 Main Phone 303/465-2339 fax Executive Director Wayne Vanderwert (ex. 480) waynev@gelbvieh.org Director of Administration Dianne Coffman (ex. 479) diannec@gelbvieh.org Director of Communications Lori Maude (ex. 487) lorim@gelbvieh.org Director of Breed Improvement Susan Willmon (ex. 484) susanw@gelbvieh.org Director of Member Services Dana Stewart (ex. 488) danas@gelbvieh.org Production Manager/Graphic Artist Katie Danneman (ex. 486) katied@gelbvieh.org Customer Services Coleen Abplanalp (ex. 482) coleena@gelbvieh.org Dolores Gravley (ex. 481) doloresg@gelbvieh.org Patti Showman (ex. 478) pattis@gelbvieh.org Teresa Wessels (ex. 477) teresaw@gelbvieh.org Mailing address: 10900 Dover St., Westminster, CO 80021 General E-mail: info@gelbvieh.org Registration & Electronic Data Transfer: registration@gelbvieh.org Website: www.gelbvieh.org
Vaughn Thorstenson
President’s Message president’s message
AGA Executive Committee
Cheering for the Home Team Fall and winter are back upon us; what a great season. I always look forward to really “sifting” through my calves and finding the good ones. Unfortunately, one of the good ones died on me. Just like fishing, the good ones always get away. I had an older gentleman tell me when I first got into the cattle business that if you own livestock you also will own deadstock. Another part of the fall season includes volleyball (for those of us with daughters). We had a pretty good start to the season and were doing quite well – staying above .500, but now the last few games they have gone into a slump. I don’t know how familiar many of you are with high school volleyball, but I have come to learn that it is a very “mental” game. We did manage to pull out a win last night and the team we played acted much like our team had the last few games (when we were losing). We won the first game fairly easily and then we had a good second game and managed to win that one (you play the best of 5 matches). When we went to play the third game, the other team was already beat. Mentally they just saw themselves losing and they didn’t even try very hard. Last year we were in the same position in the district finals with our team – down two games and losing the third game. Most of the girls thought it was all over, and I certainly did. But there were a couple of seniors that were not going to give up easily and we came from behind and won! Part of the reason for the win was the momentum of winning the third and fourth games. All at once the opposing team was really worried and they started making mistakes. Do you see where I’m going with this?
How often do we as cattle producers have the same thing happen to us? This fall the cattle market is sagging; okay, it’s downright ugly. I’m sure if you’re in the country talking to producers you know the attitude is depressed among cow-calf producers. You add to that some pessimism in the industry due to the Curly Calf syndrome in the Angus breed and you have the ingredients for a loss—loss of interest, loss of pride, loss of drive, loss of money. Now is when we, the Gelbvieh breed, need to rally! Now is when we need to get out and cheer for the “home team” because we’re about to have a come-from-behind win. Last spring when commodities rallied, the people that follow the markets were telling us that the beef industry always lags behind the grain market when there is a big up move in prices. I’m optimistic that our best days are ahead! We may have a few setbacks along the way, but the future looks promising. When bottom lines are challenged, crossbreeding will once again come to the forefront and maternal genetics will also be a key component adding demand for Gelbvieh seedstock. Let’s gear up for a big spring bull sale season. Spend a little extra time and money promoting the advantages of Gelbvieh. I really think this may be one of the best bull sale seasons ever. With demand for non-Angus genetics, our game couldn’t look better.
“When bottom lines are challenged, crossbreeding will once again come to the forefront and maternal genetics will also be a key component adding demand for Gelbvieh seedstock.“
10 | December 2008
Vaughn Thorstenson is the American Gelbvieh Association President. He owns and operates Thorstenson Gelbvieh & Angus near Selby, S.D. He can be reached at vwthor@sbtc.net.
President Vaughn Thorstenson 605/649-7361 (O) 12980 Cedar Rd., Selby, SD 57472 Vice President Al Knapp 913/219-6613 (O) 18291 158th St. Bonner Springs, KS 66012 Secretary Sam Castleberry 830/38-3421 (O) 8225 FM 471 South Castroville, TX 78009 Treasurer Skyler Martin 815/732-7583 (H) 1200 S Blackhawk Rd. Oregon, IL 61061-9762 Legal Counsel E. Edd Pritchett 405/375-5516 (O) 114 N. Main St. • Ste. 101 Kingfisher, OK 73750
AGA Directors Steve Arp 608/846-5186 (H) 551 N Ramsey Rd • Arlington, WI 53911 Jim Beastrom 605/224-5789 (H) 20453 Cendak Rd. • Pierre, SD 57501-6315 Ken Flikkema 406/586-6207 (H) 8289 Huffine Ln. • Bozeman, MT 59718 Randy Gallaway 405/649-2410 (H) 15182 N. Midwest Blvd. • Mulhall, OK 73063 Mark Goes 402/766-3627 (H) 39414 SW 75th Rd. • Odell, NE 68415-3126 Jerry Grund 785/891-3765 (H) 2690 Iron Horse Rd. • Wallace, KS 67761 Dick Helms 308/493-5411 (H) 42041 Dr. 728 • Arapahoe, NE 68922 John Huston 662/323-4858 (H) 208 Hillside Dr. • Starkville, MS 39759 David Judd 785/566-3770 (H) 423 Hwy K-69 • Pomona, KS 66076-9064 Ed Kalianoff 701/475-2694 (H) 2555 28th St. SE • Steele, ND 58482 Nancy Wilkinson 719/846-7910 (H) 23115 CR 111.3 • Model, CO 81059 All approved AGA Board minutes are available for inspection in the AGA office. Board meeting highlights are available upon request.
Industry Update
News news Jungmann Earns National Association of Animal Breeders Award Anyone that has had the opportunity to meet Lloyd Jungmann, knows his passion for the artificial insemination (A.I.) industry is truly his life blood. He has been with the industry since its inception, and his leadership and forward-thinking approach to the custom semen collection of bulls led him to establish one of the significant U.S. custom semen collection facilities. For this reason, the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) presented the Member Award during its 2008 annual conference. After 20 years as a herdsman at Iowa Dairy Genetics and later Midwest Breeders, Lloyd saw an opportunity to apply what he had learned in sire handling and semen processing, to the beef custom collection business. He envisioned a need for beef producers to improve their herds and the industry through more extensive A.I. use of top sires. Thus, in 1969, he began his business in a double garage using a pop cooler as a cold room. Lloyd desired to have a quality product,
12 | December 2008
and he had one primary objective - provide the best service possible. As the business grew, Lloyd enjoyed rapid success and, in 1972, he began fulfillment of his total custom collection vision. He moved to Adel, Iowa, and began construction of what is known today as Hawkeye Breeders Service. The facility, which continues to expand to meet the needs of customers, has great exposure for sire viewing, is work efficient, and contains maximum export opportunity. At 83 years old, Lloyd still shows up to spearhead the company he founded, and continues to look to the horizon for new technology in the industry and its possible use in the custom sector of artificial insemination. He has contributed greatly to the custom A.I. industry and is always open to implementing the advances deemed beneficial to the end producer. Lloyd has contributed much to the A.I. industry in a major way and set a fine example for the custom segment of the
David Jensen, Lloyd Jungmann’s grandson, right, accepts the 2008 NAAB Member Award on behalf of his grandfather, from Al Kuck, NAAB Chairman of the Board.
industry. He and his wife Doris exemplify the characteristics of success and reflect the manner of their generation. They are tenacious, disciplined, honest, dependable, friendly and humble. They have rarely missed the NAAB annual meetings, and Lloyd has participated on numerous NAAB Committees, served faithfully for eight years on their Board of Directors and he has been registered for every NAAB Technical Conference since the first one in 1966.
Association News
News news Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Bull Futurity Still Generates Excitement As the Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Bull Futurity enters its 11th year with the 2009 edition of the event, enthusiasm and interest are running on high. According to Breeder’s Choice Bull Futurity Manager, Jerry Mettler, the annual Tele-Auction for available memberships garnered several interested bidders. The Tele-Auction held on October 21st had nine bidders on the line for one available membership. The winning bidder at $5,100 was a partnership between Linquist Farms of Fonda, Iowa, and Jim Horton of Fort Dodge, Iowa. One additional membership will be sold at the Breeder’s Choice Bull Futurity Finals at 7:30 p.m. on January 10th at the Red Lion Hotel on Quebec Street in Denver. The 11th annual Breeder’s Choice Bull Futurity will also see a change to the schedule and the voting format. On Saturday morning, January 10th, the Bull Futurity will hold preliminary voting at the Stockyards Arena on the National Western Stock Show grounds beginning at 9 a.m. This new format will allow all futurity entries to be paraded in Stockyards Arena and the futurity members present will cast their votes for the top three. “Bulls in the Ballroom” will once again feature some of the best young bulls in the breed. The top three vote-getters will be paraded again for the futurity members and a final vote will be taken to select the champion from the three finalists. For more information on participating in the Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Bull Futurity contact Jerry Mettler at 605-987-2114 or email him at jmettler@valyousat.net.
14 | December 2008
Breeder’s Choice Bull Futurity Schedule Friday, January 9 4:45 p.m. Bull Futurity Board & Committee Meeting, Red Lion Hotel
Saturday, January 10 9:00 a.m. Parade of Futurity Entries and Preliminary Voting, Stockyards Arena 7:30 p.m. Bulls in the Ballroom & Final Voting, Red Lion Hotel Selling of one Breeder’s Choice Bull Futurity membership Announcement of Bull Futurity Champion
Sunday, January 11 7:00 p.m. Bull Futurity Champion sells through National Gelbvieh & Balancer Sale, Beef Palace Arena
Bits ‘N Pieces bits ‘n pieces Registration Updates
Gelbvieh Engagements
When you fax in registration applications, make a photocopy as light as it can go and still show the information on your end. Then, fax the lightened copy to the AGA office. If you fax the original registration applications they are so dark the data entry gals can’t read anything. The International Year Code for 2009born calves is “W”. For the rest of those December 2008 calves, make sure you use the letter “U” in the tattoo. Please don’t complete registration forms in pencil. Black or blue ink is preferred for ease of reading. Do NOT cut apart forms and mail paper slips to the office. These are easy to lose or misplace. If you are only filling out one or two animal’s information on the sheet, make a copy of the form, complete the information on the copy and keep the original to complete later when you want to fill in information on the other animals on the sheet. Write separate checks for AGA, AGJA and Gelbvieh World. The account systems are separate and separate checks make it less likely for an error to occur. Also make sure to write membership numbers on all checks and correspondence.
Update on Angus Curly Calf Syndrome As an update since the article that ran in the November Gelbvieh World, the American Angus Association has continued its research into Curly Calf Syndrome and production of a commercial DNA test for producers to identify cattle carrying the gene. The genetic abnormality will now be referred to its scientific name, Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM), in all Angus and industry articles. Dr. Jon Beever at University of Illinois has completed a preliminary test and has released the initial results to A.I. studs and the American Angus Association. This preliminary test has NOT been fully validated. A preliminary list of bulls has been posted on the American Angus website at www.angus.org. There is also a downloadable Excel spreadsheet on the Gelbvieh 16 | December 2008
When Chad Murphy of Arlington, S.D., proposed to Catherine Leonhardt of Lake Preston, S.D., some creative field plowing was involved. Needless to say, Catherine did say yes and a September 2009 wedding is being planned. Catherine is the daughter of Arlyn and Jacky Leonhardt, Leonhardt Cattle Company.
website, www.gelbvieh.org, that has AMcarrier bulls separated from AM-free bulls. We encourage producers using Angus genetics in their Balancer breeding programs to keep up with the most recent information by checking the Angus website frequently.
AGA News & Notes The AGA office will be closed December 24, 25 and 26 for the Christmas holiday. The office will also be closed on January 1 for the New Year’s holiday. The Red Lion Hotel on Quebec Street will once again be the headquarters hotel for Gelbvieh during the National Western Stock Show. Room rates are $74 plus tax per night. The room rate includes two breakfast tickets per day per room. Ask for the Gelbvieh block. The room block runs from January 5 to January 13. Deadline for room reservations is December 18, 2008. Call 303-321-6666 to make your reservation. The American Gelbvieh Association has redesigned and updated the “Showing Cattle” brochure. It features a new look and new information on selection and preparation to show cattle. This 8-page brochure made its debut at the National FFA Convention, along with a new 16” x 20” poster promoting Gelbvieh and Balancer Females as projects that grow into real productive cows. Both are available upon request from the AGA office.
Around the Industry ABS Global has redesigned its global website to feature ABS products, services and solutions in a more up-to-date, userfriendly manner. The website launched in both English and Spanish. Go to www.absglobal.com to see the new look and features. Also, ABS Global has a new version of the A.I. Management Manual available to producers. These can be ordered from your local ABS representative or by calling an ABS Customer Service Representative at 1800-ABS-STUD. Former AGA Executive Director Jim Spawn was honored at the 2008 Missouri Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Spawn, of Weatherby Lake, Mo., received the “Spotlight Award” for his research and work coordinating the “Running with Bonnie and Clyde: The Red Crown Symposium and Road Tour.” This event featured a road tour of the path notorious outlaws Bonnie and Clyde Barrow used to escape Platte County, Missouri. Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine has schedule a special cow-calf conference on reproduction, calving and calf care. The event is set for January 9. A conference brochure and additional information is available at www.vet.k-state.edu/ CE/2009/heifer.htm.
News news Field Day
Indiana Gelbvieh Association Field Day October 4, 2008 Kendallville, Ind. Hosted by Carl, Rebecca and Emily Griffiths
The Indiana Gelbvieh Association celebrated its 10th year of organization. The 10th annual meeting was held at the home of Carl, Rebecca and Emily Griffiths. 3G Ranch was one of the founding members of the Indiana Gelbvieh Association. Carl and Rebecca were a driving forces in the creation of the state association and continued to actively work to keep Gelbvieh cattle represented an many local and state beef cattle functions. New and old members gathered on a beautiful fall afternoon to view the cattle, discuss association activities and review current programs. Members walked through pastures of Gelbvieh, Gelbvieh hybrid, Balancer and Limousin females.
Above: Even association president Dr. Stephanie Rensberger, who was on crutches recovering from knee surgery, couldn’t pass up the chance to move through the cattle. Left: Emily Griffiths, pictured at left, visits with members Mike and Lanna Kloer about the 3G Ranch cowherd and the value that Gelbvieh genetics have brought to the program.
Commitment For 25 years, Bar Arrow Cattle Company has lived up to its promise of functional, progressive Gelbvieh genetics. It is our responsibility to build beter Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle with each generation. We take this commitment to our customers seriously. We invite you to attend our annual production sale March 10, 2009 at the Spring Valley Farm Sale Facility. Experience the power of commitment.
“We Are Qualified Seedstock Suppliers”
Stuar t Jar vis 26 E. Limestone Rd. • Phillipsburg, KS 67661
e-mail: bararrow@ruraltel.net • 785/543-5177 We welcome visitors to our program and would love to show you our operation.
Gelbvieh World | 17
Association Update
News news
2009 National Western Stock Show Schedule January 6-13, 2009 Tuesday, January 6 8:00 a.m. Cattle begin arriving Thursday, January 8 7:00 p.m. Cattle in place on the Hill & in the Yards Friday, January 9 8:00 a.m. Process & Check-In Yard Cattle Following Yard Process & Check-In of Hill Cattle 8:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m. Executive Committee Meeting 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting & Lunch at Noon 1:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m. GPP Annual Meeting and Board Meeting Room 1: 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting 4:45 p.m.-6:15 p.m. Bull Futurity Board & Committee Meeting Room 2: 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Foundation Committee Meeting 4:45 p.m.-6:15 p.m. Rules & Bylaws Committee Meeting 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m. Dinner with Keynote Speaker Room 3: 8:00 p.m.-10 p.m. Marketing Committee Meeting with a Heat Tolerant Focus Panel Discussion Saturday, January 10 Free morning to go to National Western 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Bull Futurity at the Stockyard Arena Room 1: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. National Sale Committee 2:15 p.m.-3:45 p.m. National Show Committee Room 2: 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Productivity Committee Meeting with Feed Efficiency Focus Panel Discussion
4:15 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Annual Meeting 6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m. AGA Board Meeting to elect officers & photo 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m AGA Social & Breeder’s Choice Bull Futurity Announce New AGA officers Recognize out going Board Hall of Fame – Member of the Year Selling of Haglund Heifer Tickets Sunday, January 11 6:00 a.m.-7:30 a.m. AGA Board Meeting 9:00 a.m. National Pen Bull Show Noon Lunch in the Yards 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Junior Gelbvieh & Balancer Heifer Show 7:00 p.m. National Gelbvieh Sale Monday, January 12 7:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Breeder’s Choice Futurity Board Meeting 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. National Gelbvieh and Balancer Show Recognize Ring of Gold, Premier Breeder & Exhibitor, and Herdsman of the Year following the show 5:00 p.m. Begin Release of Gelbvieh & Balancer Hill Cattle Tuesday, January 13 10:00 a.m. All Hill Cattle Out 7:00 a.m. Begin Release of Yard Cattle-All out by 4:00 p.m.
2009 National Convention Registration Name____________________________________________________________________ AGA Member No. _______________________________________ Address _ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City/town __________________________________________________________State ________________________________ Zip _____________________ Name tags will be issued based on this registration form. Please include first and last names. Please print clearly or type: Name _________________________________________________________ Name __________________________________________________________ Name _________________________________________________________ Name __________________________________________________________
Convention Registration • January 9-10, 2009 Full Convention Package OR
$55 per person X ____________ = _______________
Basic Convention Package (includes Friday & Saturday Committee Meetings.)
$25 per person X ___________ = ________________
Dinner & Speaker Prime Rib Dinner
$37.50 per person X ___________ = ______________
Evening Social Sponsored by “Breeder’s Choice Bull Futurity” and AGA
FREE
Number
Name badge required for Committee Meetings. (Fees used to offset room and speaker expenses)
Get in on the Deal in Denver 2009!
Headquarters:
Total: $_________________
Mail Registration Form & Check to:
Red Lion Hotel 303-321-6666 $74 + tax rate
American Gelbvieh Association 10900 Dover St., Westminster, CO 80021
Request the Gelbvieh block before Dec. 18. First come, _ first served basis. (Block dates: Jan. 5-13, 2009) 18 | December 2008
Total
Deadline: January 2, 2009 2009 National Gelbvieh & Balancer Show & Sale
News news Management
Steps to Take When Dealing with Abnormal Calves By Susan Willmon, AGA Director of Breed Improvement
With the situation in the Angus breed and the occurrence of a genetic abnormality called Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM), we as Gelbvieh breeders need to remain vigilant on reporting abnormal calves. What should you do if you have an abnormal calf during the calving season? Following the steps described here will help ensure that adequate documentation is obtained by the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) on all abnormal calves and allow the association to fully investigate any cases to determine genetic or environmental causes. For any abnormal calves, taking digital pictures of the animal from several angles helps illustrate the problem. With animals that have problems with normal
movement, a video is also a useful tool. Documenting changes in live animals as they grow is helpful. For stillborn calves those initial photos at birth are critical. A point of reference, ruler or yardstick, in the photo is also helpful if calves are of an abnormal size or shape. Collection of a DNA sample is crucial in determining accurate parentage. Collecting a DNA sample on a live animal can include hair, blood or an ear notch. Samples should be labeled with a calf identification number; blood or tissue samples should be stored a Ziploc bag in the freezer. Samples should also be collected as soon as possible on both parents and stored in a similar manner. The AGA’s Abnormal Calf report can
be found in the Registration Forms and Resources section of the AGA website (www.gelbvieh.org). A completed form, along with a veterinarian’s report and copies of the above photos should be returned to the AGA as soon as possible. DNA samples should be held until requested by the AGA. In some cases, the stillborn calf or live calf may need to be sent for further diagnostic examination. Consult with your veterinarian and the AGA office before disposing of any calf with unusual abnormalities. Susan Willmon is the American Gelbvieh Association Director of Breed Improvement. She can be reached at susanw@gelbvieh.org or by contacting the AGA office at 303-465-2333.
Gelbvieh World | 19
Sales sales Southern Belles Volume III September 20, 2008 • Colbert, Ga. Auctioneer: Jason Miller Sale Manager: MMS 10 Fall Open Heifers
$3,020
5
Bred Cows
$2,680
2
Herd Sires
$3,850
14 Bred Heifers
$1,653
2
Cow-Calf Pairs
$1,550
3
Spring Open Heifers
$1,783
36 Live Lot Average
$2,302
3
$3,600
Flush Opportunities
64 Embryos
$280
The third annual Southern Belles Sale, hosted by Alan and Adam Verner of Verner Farms, featured top quality lots from Little Bull Farm, Hickory Hill Farm, Wagner Performance Cattle, TJB Gelbvieh and Partisover Ranch. Topping the sale offering at $6,500 was Lot 2B, one of four daughters offered out of a mating between BC Marathon 7022 and VER Lee Ann 309M ET. Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch of Pierre, S.D., took home Lot 2B.
Two other high selling lots included flushmates to 2B. Nate Munger of Mansfield, S.D., selected Lot 2D for $5,000 and Poker City Ranch of Agenda, Kan., selected 2C for $4,000. Prairie Grove Gelbvieh of Danville, Iowa, bid $5,200 for the Balancer herd sire PRTY Parti Boy 580R ET. A leading sire for Verner Farms, they sold half semen interest and half possession of Parti Boy. Bradac Ranch of Marmarth, N.D., bid $5,100 for Lot 12, VER Miss Prissy 750S. Partisover Precision 243 sired this fall bred Balancer female out of VER Miss Pld Prissy Two 252G, a Grand Prix daughter. Other top selling lots included: Lot 8A: $3,700—A fall open heifer sired by PRTY Parti Boy 580R ET out of VER Grand Lady 009K sold to Thomas Saxon of Dewey Rose, Ga. Lot 1B: $3,700—A flush opportunity on AKA 35L, a red Balancer donor female sired by JHL Lchmn Marias 1150H. Johnson Cattle Company of Happy, Texas, was the buyer. Lot 6: $3,700—Bradac Ranch bought PRTY Partisover Step’N Up ET, the 2008 AGJA Blue Ridge Classic Grand Champion
Lot 2B was purchased by Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch for $6,500.
Balancer Female. This Traveler 004 daughter is out of JBOB “Miss Julia” 2417J ET. Bradac also bought Lot 3C for $3,500. Lot 3C is a VRT RUP Lazy TV Hotfudge J357 daughter of VER Miss Flotos Echo 840J1ET. Lot 1A: $3,600—Jumping Cow Gelbvieh Ranch bought a right to flush JCGR Bar GT Crossover 166S, a BT Crossover Balancer female. Lot 1C: $3,500—J Bar M Gelbvieh purchased a flush opportunity on FHG Flying H Dateline 7H, the newest addition to the Verner’s donor pen. She is a Connealy Dateline daughter out of FHG Flying H Ms Cadi 85F.
4th Annual Ozark Pride Sale October 11, 2008 Stella, Mo. Auctioneer: Jason Miller Sale Manager: MMS 16 Bred Cows
$2,371
30 Bred Heifers
$1,893
10 Cow-Calf Pairs
$2,470
5
$1,580
Spring Open Heifers
61 Total Live Lots 31 Embryos
$2,087 $383
Bob and Mona Hart of Hartland Farm, along with Jon and Edna Miller of J Bar M Gelbvieh welcomed one of the largest crowds ever to their annual production sale. Featuring several top quality lots, the bidding was active in the seats and on the phone for this event. Topping the offering was Lot 18/18A from J Bar M Gelbvieh. Lot 18, a Balancer female sired by Bon View New Design 878 out of BTI Miss 2009N, found a new home with Bradac Ranch of Marmarth, N.D., for 20 | December 2008
a bid of $6,000. Her VRT RUP Lazy TV Hotfudge heifer calf went to J&K Farms of Ava, Ill., for a bid of $3,100. Also chiming in at $6,000 was Beblers Pine Trees Ranch of Wells, Minn., on Lot 9/9A from Hartland Farm. RHRT Forget Me Not ET is an October 2006 daughter of RHRT Independence out of TWA Jewel 44M ET. She sold with a Post Rock Top Brass calf at side. The next high selling lot at $3,750 was Lot 19 from J Bar M Gelbvieh. Bradac Ranch took home this homozygous black, homozygous polled Balancer female out of BCC Bushwacker 41-93 bred to Post Rock Granite 200P2. Other high selling lots include: Lot 26: $3,400—RHRT Miss Travelyn Savvy ET is a Traveler 004 daughter out of JBOB 92C 1373G ET from Hartland Farm. Bradac Ranch was the winning bidder. Lot 1/1A: $3,300—DCSF Post Rock Wilma 282M2, a donor female from the J Bar M Gelbvieh program. This MRCO
New Direction daughter out of DCSF Post Rock Wilma 147H ET sold with a JBOB 4665M ET calf at side. Lot 10: $3,200—RHRT Jewelianna ET is a flushmate to the Lot 9 female, RHRT Independence out of TWA Jewel 44M ET. Wandering Meadows Farm from Lamberton, Minn., was the buyer. Lot 23: $3,200—RHRT Miss Carolina Blackbird ET, a Carolina Fortune daughter out of donor DAR Patty Blackbird 402P, sold bred to Post Rock Granite 200P2. White Oak Farms of Fordland, Mo., was the buyer. Lot 7/7A: $3,000—RHRT Florentine Jewel ET, Post Rock Top Brass ET daughter out of TWA Jewel 44M ET. She sold with a JEB Polled Gizmo 17Z calf at side. Register Farms of Clinton, N.C., was the buyer. Register Farms took home a trailer full on sale day. Lot 8/8A: $3,000—RHRT Florentina ET, a flushmate to Lot 7, sold to Pleasant Meadows Farm of Glasgow, Ky. A KCF Bennett Kingpin calf was as side.
News news Industry News
Maternal Edge Female Sale Creates Gelbvieh Demand Far left: John Bartee helped ear tag consignments in the sale. Left: Consignors and prospective buyers visit prior to the sale. A good crowd was on hand for the 2nd annual sale.
The second annual Maternal Edge Female sale showed continued positive growth and success with a good crowd and quality consignments as 80 head of Gelbvieh-influenced females sold on November 1 in Cross Plains, Tenn. Cow-calf pairs averaged $1,375 with the high-selling lot at $1,600. Gale Rippey of Galax, Va., consigned the top selling lot. Bred heifers averaged $1,000 per head, fall open heifers averaged $825 and spring open heifers finished the sale at $635. The Maternal Edge Sale is funded in part by the American Gelbvieh Association’s Five-Year Plan. The sale has a two-fold purpose. First, it provides a service to commercial producers who use Gelbvieh genetics in their program; second it is an excellent way to promote the breed through advertising and building relationships with consignors and buyers. “Given the feed and market conditions during the last two years the sale was held, the sale has been very successful compared to average commercial prices,” says John Bartee, one of the sale coordinators. Wayne Vanderwert, American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Executive Director, adds, “It’s a testament of the breed’s reputation as maternally oriented, hard working cows.” While the American Gelbvieh Association helps to organize the sale, due credit must be given to John Bartee of Clarksville,Tenn., and Gary Tilghman of Glasgow, Ky., two AGA members and volunteers who work to find consignments and screen cattle. John Bartee worked closely with KY-TN Livestock Market, in addition to providing support to process sale lots prior to sale day.
“It is our goal that as the sale continues to grow and become successful, that it becomes a model that more states or regions could join together to continue this effort in their area,” said Dana Stewart, AGA Director of Member Services. “Over just a couple of years time, the Maternal Edge sale has brought a demand for Gelbviehinfluenced females in the Tennessee and
Kentucky area and as the sale expands so will that demand.” If you use Gelbvieh genetics in your commercial program or are a breeder who has commercial customers who would benefit from this sale, please contact the AGA at 303-465-2333 or email info@ gelbvieh.org for more information or to be placed on our mailing list.
Bulls Like This Sell! Taubenheim
19 Annual Production Sale th
2008 Kansas State Fair Grand Champion Balancer Bull
February 2, 2009
Owned by Overmiller Gelbvieh Sold in the Taubenheim 2007 sale
heim Gelb n e vie b Amherst, NE u Ta www.taubenheimgelbvieh.com h
Dale and Jeanette
23685 Sartoria Road • Amherst, NE 68812 (308) 826-4771 • Cell: (308) 627-5054 dtaubenheim@aol.com
Mike and Renee
19035 Grand Island Road • Amherst, NE 68812 (308) 826-5185 • Cell: (308) 233-4704 mandrtaub@aol.com
Gelbvieh World | 21
Director Biographies
Feature feature
Meet the Candidates The Nominating Committee has nominated the following five individuals for five (5) three-year terms on the AGA Board of Directors: Rob Arnold, Jim Beastrom, Dick Helms, Bob Prosser, and Brian Schafer. Other nominations may be accepted from the floor during the Annual Meeting.
Rob Arnold Minot, N.D.
It is an honor to be nominated for the AGA Board of Directors. Together with my wife, Holly, and our two children, Andrew & Annika, my brother, Bill, his wife, Tina, and my mom and dad, we own and operate Cranview Gelbvieh. Our farm is located in north central North Dakota, approximately 60 miles from the Canadian border. Cranview Gelbvieh is a diversified grain and livestock operation. We raise wheat, corn, barley, canola, soybeans, drybeans, and peas in our grain operation. Our livestock operation is made up of 150 head of red & black registered Gelbvieh cows. Our genetic improvement is managed through A.I. and embryo transfer. Our cull animals are finished in our feedlot for carcass evaluation. Along with managing our family farm, I have been employed with BASF (I tell people that stands for Big Ass Soda Factory since I can’t pronounce any of the actual German words) for 24 years as a sales representative and a product manager. I have served six years on our state Gelbvieh association board, am currently an industry representative on the Northern Pulse Growers Association Board, served on the Central Dakota Beef Processing Board, been a member of various AGA committees, and currently serve on the Gelbvieh Bull Futurity Board. I graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. As I stated before, it is a true honor to be invited to serve on this board. I do believe it is up to everyone in the breed to be active in our organization in some fashion. We are too small to rely on a few people to get the job done. I will do my part if elected. I would appreciate your support in January.
Jim Beastrom Pierre, S.D.
I own and operate Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch with the assistance of my wife, Barb, daughter, Brittney, and daughter Brandy and her husband, Shad Ludemann. I began breeding Gelbvieh cattle in 1972 and have been working towards a quality product ever since. Along with the registered cattle herd, we raise wheat, corn, sunflowers, soybeans and alfalfa. We also have a hunting preserve for pheasants. Over the years, I have served as a Farm Service Agency (FSA) committee member, past president of the South Dakota Gelbvieh Association, past director and president of the American 22 | December 2008
Gelbvieh Association, and past president of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council. I have also served on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and a member of the United States World Trade Organization advisory board. I have been involved with the Gelbvieh breed for 30 plus years and have seen the growth of the breed first hand. It is important to be involved in the organization, especially when the Gelbvieh breed is such a big part of our operation. It would be an honor to be re-elected to a second three-year term to see through the many projects and programs that the AGA Board of Directors has launched in the past three years.
Dick Helms Arapahoe, Neb.
My wife, Bonnie, and I began our Gelbvieh experience in 1982 after researching several continental breeds to add to the Helms family’s seedstock operation. With our 40-year history as seedstock providers, we saw the beef industry was changing and needed to offer our customers more than one choice of genetics. Our first purchases were made at the Iowa Beef Expo and from other Iowa breeders. My seedstock experience started with weighing our bull calves as an FFA project in 1968. We started using A.I. in 1972 and flushed our first cow in 1973. When EPDs became available in the early 1980s we used them as another tool for evaluating and improving genetics. Today’s new tools, carcass and DNA testing are being used by Flying H Genetics to continue identifying and producing better genetics. In 1990, customer feedback initiated the development of our GelPLUS program. This Gelbvieh hybrid program allowed us to meet the needs of customers who wanted to use Gelbvieh genetics but didn’t want to end up with purebred commercial cows as they continued to keep replacement heifers. The GelPLUS bulls allowed us to expand our Gelbvieh market and double the number of bulls we sold. Because of this increased demand we initiated a cooperator/ producer program to have other Gelbvieh breeders help us produce bulls to meet this expanded market. The most recent addition at Flying H Genetics is adding an affiliate in Missouri in 2008. As part of building that customer base we initiated our Grown on Grass ™ bull development program to furnish athletic/muscular bulls adapted to the environment and evaluated for forage ability. This expansion demonstrates again our commitment to the Gelbvieh breed and the cattlemen who use Gelbvieh genetics to improve the beef industry. A couple of our Gelbvieh highlights include both sons growing
up in the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) and being nominated by the AGA and winning the 1998 Beef Improvement Association’s Seedstock Producer of the Year Award. Our son Kyle and his wife, Kayla, have been a great addition to Flying H Genetics and assure the continuation of Flying H Genetics for another generation. The Gelbvieh breed has many genetic strengths and great people. Today, growth and success takes more than a good product, especially when our competition has more money. W e must work harder and smarter to compete and take market share. Implementation of our new Regional Service and Marketing Staff is an example of how the AGA can help AGA members compete and sell more bulls. We need to do more. It is an honor to be asked to serve on the AGA Board of Directors again. I promise that my decisions are always based on growing and improving the Gelbvieh breed with the goal of making Gelbvieh the Continental Breed of Choice.
Bob Prosser Winslow, Ariz
I am a third generation family rancher. Along with my wife, Judy, and two sons, Spencer and Warren, I have been raising Gelbvieh cattle for more than 25 years. We are blessed to own and operate Bar T Bar Ranch, a seedstock and commercial range operation near Winslow, Ariz. Over the years, we have expanded the seedstock herd to the point of being second in total Balancer registrations in 2007. We currently market 200 to 250 bulls a year. Bar T Bar Ranch concentrates on raising cattle in harmony with the environment. It has always been my goal to continually improve the quality of the cattle and the land on which they are raised. We concentrate on natural selection and culling for fertility first. Females that calve every year are a product of that selection, on which we can then emphasize additional industry needs (marbling, tenderness, and efficiencies) through our mating program. As a result, we have a breeding program that has gained popularity. The current trend of higher input costs and more expensive breakevens require cattle to be more productive with fewer costs. These trends should be an opportunity for the Gelbvieh breed. I have served as President of the Arizona Cattle Growers Association and served on the Governor’s Rangeland Advisory Council. Also Bar T Bar Ranch has been honored for its management system with the 2007 U.S. Forest Service National Range Management Award and 2007 NCBA Region VI Environmental Stewardship Winner. I am a Colorado native and got my degree at Colorado State University. I am grateful that while in school I was exposed to Dr. Jim Brinks, Dr. Robert Taylor, Dr. Jim Gibb and Tom Lasater. These men all had vision and were years ahead of their time. Each had a long-term effect of my views on cattle breeding. It is an honor to be asked to run for the AGA Board and feel like I am at a time in my life that I will have the time to do the job justice. I believe I have a commercial cattleman’s point of view with regards to the entire cattle industry. If you think this view would be of use to the Gelbvieh breed, I would appreciate your support.
Brian Schafer Goodhue, Minn.
I am a sixth generation cattleman from Goodhue, Minn. Along with my wife, Heather, and our three children Ethan, Anika, and Alexa, my parents Lowell and Pat, and my brother Brandon, his wife, Monica, and their four children Kendrah, Maddison, Max, and Kenny we own and operate Schafer Farms. Schafer Farms is a diversified livestock operation consisting of a 1,600-sow farrow-to-wean hog operation, along with 500 registered and commercial Gelbvieh and Balancer cows. Gelbvieh was added to our program in 1983 when we began using Gelbvieh bulls on our Hereford cows to make hybrid genetics. Like many at that time the decision to use Gelbvieh was based on the early Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) data in which Gelbvieh excelled in the traits that will never go out of style. Shortly after introducing Gelbvieh bulls we purchased our first Gelbvieh cows, over time the Hereford herd was phased out and replaced with Angus and Red Angus as the British component of our breeding program. All of our bulls and heifers are marketed by private treaty. Our philosophies on the seedstock business are derived from our experiences in the commercial cow-calf sector, as well as our extensive involvement in the hog industry which we feel gives us a real-time glimpse into the future of the cattle business. These experiences have shown us that the Gelbvieh breed has an undeniable place in the future of the beef industry, as long as we can maintain the Gelbvieh breed’s core strengths, while addressing and improving our known deficiencies. I am passionate about the beef industry, and committed to ensuring that the Gelbvieh breed is positioned to meet the needs of tomorrow’s beef industry. Besides being a source of great pride, being the sixth family generation is also a source of great responsibility to ensure that today’s business decisions, including using Gelbvieh in our breeding program, keeps Schafer Farms profitable and sustainable for the seventh generation. My goal as a national director would be to ensure that the AGA and the Gelbvieh breed remains a significant player in the beef industry of tomorrow. To accomplish this we must ensure that we remain grounded and committed to the commercial cattle industry. The viability of our association can only be measured in the success of our commercial customers. It is truly an honor to be nominated for the AGA Board of Directors, and it would be a great privilege to serve the membership. Hope to see you in Denver and I would appreciate your vote. The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Annual Meeting will be held Saturday, January 10, 2009, commencing at 4:15 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel in Denver, Colo. The meeting will be held during the American Gelbvieh Association National Convention. The purpose of the meeting shall be the election of directors to fill the offices of those directors whose terms are expiring or which are presently vacant, to ratify the previous actions of the Board of Directors, and for the transaction of other business as may properly come before the meeting. A member who is unable to attend the Annual Meeting may request an absentee ballot in writing (by mail or fax, email is not accepted) for election of directors. In order to obtain an absentee ballot, a member must submit his or her application to the American Gelbvieh Association office not more than 60 days (November 11, 2008) nor less than 10 days (December 31, 2008) prior to the Annual Meeting, and must be in good standing with the Association at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Meeting. Ballots must be returned to the AGA office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2009, to be counted at the Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 10, 2009.
Gelbvieh World | 23
Justin Taubenheim
Junior Voice junior voice
Home Grown I remember the first calf that I raised and registered in my name. He was definitely not what you would call a champion, but I was so proud of this calf being one that I could call my own. This is a feeling that everyone should be able to feel. Every junior should have the chance to raise and own a calf. There are many rules and regulations in the AGJA cattle show rule book, but if you ask me the Bred and Owned ownership rule is the most rewarding. This rule states that in order for an animal to be exhibited in the bred and owned division, the dam must be solely owned by the exhibitor, and the exhibitor must be listed as the animal’s only owner and breeder. There are three reasons that I like this rule. The first reason that I appreciate this rule is because it teaches young kids the ethics of life. It helps kids to learn how to make proper breeding decisions and learn what they can and can’t do with their cattle. I think that the bred and owned show will help the youth of our breed to be better off for the future, it will build up their potential to make a difference in the future. I also think that this will help them excel in other projects that have to do with not only the Gelbvieh breed, but the whole beef industry. Next it will give the juniors with the bred and owned animals the chance to feel
proud about their project. I believe that the bred and owned show is like a piece of candy to a kid, when they try it for the first time they will be hooked and never want to quit. When you don’t quit, and never give up you often obtain your goals. When you reach your goals you should be very proud of yourself. I have felt the feeling of pride in my animals, and it is a feeling that cannot be surpassed by anything. I wouldn’t give the feeling up for anything in the world. Last but not least the bred and owned rule will bring recognition from other breeders and individuals. When an adult sees a youngster working hard to improve his/her animal, they will show a lot of respect for that junior. Respect is all that a child needs in life. When a child is respected then they feel good about themselves, and they believe that anything is possible. I simply believe that the Bred and Owned ownership rule is a great thing for many reasons. Learning about the breed and making breeding decisions, a sense of pride, and respect from their peers—all good reasons for the Bred and Owned show. I believe that all of these tie together in a special way and is the perfect combination for success!
Kansas Gelbvieh Junior Earns Top Honors for Kansas Club Calf Association Chandler Ladner of Argonia, an AGJA member and Kansas Junior Gelbvieh Association member, earned the most points at sanctioned Kansas Club Calf Association (KCCA) shows to earn All-Around Champion honors. This is the first time in the history of the KCCA that a Gelbvieh junior earned the top spot. To qualify for All-Around honors, Chandler had to exhibit animals in two different divisions. He exhibited a Gelbvieh heifer in the Gelbvieh division and also a Balancer heifer in the All Other Breeds division. His Balancer heifer ended up Reserve in the AOB category for the year. Chandler will be honored during the Kansas Beef Expo in Hutchinson, December 13-14.
Kansas Gelbvieh Juniors Excel at Kansas Junior Livestock Show
Justin is an AGJA Director from Amherst, NE and can be reached at manddtaub@aol.com.
The AGJA “Bred and Owned” Rule: What you need to know The rule states: The exhibitor must have solely owned the entry’s dam at the time of conception and be listed as the single breeder and owner on the entry’s registration certificate. •
When making breeding decisions, note who the owner of the dam is at conception - if the owner is not the exhibitor, then the animal will not qualify as “bred and owned.”
•
While animals that are owned by a family member or registered in a family farm name are eligible to show without transfer to the related exhibitor, the exhibitor must be the sole owner at conception and thereafter to qualify as “bred and owned”.
•
Only “bred and owned” bulls are eligible to show in the AGJA Bull show.
• If you have further questions, please contact Dana Stewart at the AGA office. 24 | December 2008
Chandler Ladner
From left: Dustin Aherin, Tanner Aherin and Chandler Ladner
Several Kansas junior Gelbvieh members rounded out their summer show season with a competitive show at the Kansas Junior Livestock Show in Wichita. Dustin Aherin of Phillipsburg exhibited the Champion Gelbvieh Heifer. Younger brother, Tanner, earned Reserve Champion Gelbvieh Heifer and was also named the reserve champion junior beef showman. Chandler Ladner of Argonia exhibited the champion All Other Breeds Steer during the show. In junior swine showmanship event at the Kansas Junior Livestock Show, Callahan Grund of Wallace earned fourth place.
JuniorShows juniorshows Buy Your Haglund Heifer Tickets Today!
2008 World Beef Expo Junior Gelbvieh Show
Jim and Genny Priest, the new coowners and managers of Haglund Ranch in Brockway, Mont., are continuing the long-standing tradition of donating a heifer to benefit the American Gelbvieh Junior Association. Phil and Dolores Haglund, longtime junior supporters, wanted to find a way to provide continuous support for junior programs. This is the 14th heifer donated by Haglund Ranch. Tickets are one for $10 or six for $50. Tickets are available from any AGJA member and the kids are competing for prizes presented to the top ticket sellers. If you don’t have an AGJA member in your area, please complete the form and send it to the American Gelbvieh Association office with payment. The heifer will be drawn for at the beginning of the National Gelbvieh & Balancer Sale on Sunday, January 11th. You need not be present to win.
*Editor’s note: AGJA member Sierra Walter of Goshen, Ind., earned overall champion junior showman.
September 26, 2008 • Milwaukee, Wis. • Judge: Dr. Randy Perry, California
Money from the Haglund Donation Heifer supports educational and fun activities for AGJA members at the National Junior Classic and throughout the year.
2009 Haglund Donation Heifer HAG Ms FireCracker 222U Sire: HAG FireCracker 214P (SLC Freedom Fire 9H) Dam: HAG Ms HAG Hercules 98L (JOB Danell Pld Hercules 8J) Ms FireCracker is a red, polled April 3, 2008 purebred Gelbvieh heifer. She posted an 82 lb. birth weight and a 557 lb. weaning weight.
CE 111
BW -1.8
TM 41
GL -1.5
EPDs: WW 41
YW 74
MK 20
CD 106
SC .1
FM 7.52
All accuracies are I or I+
Champion Gelbvieh Female
GGGE 3G Touch of Silve750T ET Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Sire: SLC Freedom 178F ET
Reserve Champion Gelbvieh Female GGGE 3G Cowgirl Ursula 837U Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Sire: GGGE 3G Space Cowboy
Northern International Livestock Exposition Junior Gelbvieh Show October 16, 2008 • Billings, Mont. • Judge: Randy Daniel, Georgia *Editor’s Note: Kindall Cooper of Clarkston, Wash., earned champion junior showmanship, while Anjeanette Haas of Oilmont was champion senior showman.
Champion Gelbvieh Female RTRT Unbelievable 204U ET Michael Rea, Berthoud, Colo. Sire: RTRT Solution
Reserve Champion Gelbvieh Female/ Champion Bred by Exhibitor (Heifer calf at side earned the honors) AAML Miss Mollie 70U Ashtyn Aumueller, Columbus Sire: SLC Freedom 178F ET
Haglund Heifer Tickets Thanks to Phil & Dolores Haglund and Jim & Genny Priest 2009 Haglund Donation Heifer Please send me ___________ tickets on the 2009 Haglund Donation Heifer. (1 ticket for $10.00 or 6 tickets for $50.00) NAME _____________________________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________________ TOWN/STATE / ZIP ________________________________________________________________ PHONE _ __________________________________________________________________________ Make checks payable to AGJA. Clip and mail this coupon with payment to: AGJA, 10900 Dover Street, Westminster, CO 80021
Gelbvieh World | 25
Shows shows Northern International Livestock Exposition October 16, 2008 Billings, Mont. Judge: Doug Satree, Texas Head Shown: Gelbvieh, 27; Balancers, 18 Reserve Champion Gelbvieh Female TMKG Starlight’s Diamond 233T Starlight Land & Livestock, Klamath Falls, Ore. Sire: BTI Extra 2106K ET
Grand Champion Gelbvieh Bull PHG The Rookie U31 Prairie Hills Gelbvieh, Gladstone, N.D. Sire: MCFG MCF Bruce Almighty 35P
Grand Champion Gelbvieh Female RTRT Unbelievable 204U ET Michael Rea, Berthoud, Colo. Sire: RTRT Solution
Reserve Champion Gelbvieh Bull JOB Danell Absolute 21U ET Danell Diamond Six Ranch, Lewistown Sire: MLH Goldrush Visa J40
Reserve Champion Balancer Female MCFG 121S Ashtyn Aumueller, Columbus Sire: BT Right Time 24J
Grand Champion Balancer Female
Grand Champion Balancer Bull
TMKG Starlights Wilma 254U Starlight Land & Livestock, Klamath Falls, Ore. Sire: OCC Magnitude 805M
KHR 26U Kicking Horse Ranch, Oilmont Sire: BUF BFCK Cherokee Canyon 4912
Reserve Champion Balancer Bull
MHOG Exfuze 272U YJ Mountain Ranch, Redmond, Utah/Mohogany Hollow, Utah Sire: PFG Teasdale 918S
26 | December 2008
World Beef Expo Open Gelbvieh & Balancer Show September 26, 2008 Milwaukee, Wis. Judge: Rick Gramm, Minnesota Head Shown: 20 head total *Premier Breeder & Exhibitor: Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind.
Reserve Champion Gelbvieh Bull ALIS Under Siege 806U Alison Baker, Bristol, Ind. Sire: GGGE 3G Ranger 551R
Reserve Champion Gelbvieh Female Grand Champion Gelbvieh Bull
JRSL Capstone’s Trixie 76T Russell Family Livestock, Brooklyn, Wis. Sire: KIT Urlacher M28
GGGE 3G Time Machine 758T ET Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Sire: SLC Freedom 178F ET
Grand Champion Gelbvieh Female GGGE 3G Touch of Silve750T ET Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Sire: SLC Freedom 178F ET
Reserve Champion Balancer Bull RSSL Ulrik 84U Russell Family Livestock, Brooklyn, Wis. Sire: SS Traveler T510 2T22
Grand Champion Balancer Bull
Grand Champion Balancer Female
GGGE 3G Undertaker 813U Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Sire: GGGE 3G Smoke N Mirrors
ALIS Undeniable Urges 809U Alison Baker, Bristol, Ind. Sire: GGGE 3G Smoke N Mirrors
Reserve Champion Balancer Female GGGE 3G Cowgirl Uvena 832U Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Sire: Northern Improvement 4480
Continued on page 28
Gelbvieh World | 27
Shows shows
Continued from page 27
American Royal Gelbvieh & Balancer Shows October 29, 2008 Kansas City, Mo. Judge: Jack Ward, Missouri Head Shown: Gelbvieh, 41; Balancers, 25
Grand Champion Gelbvieh Female GGGE 3G Touch of Silve750T ET Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Sire: SLC Freedom 178F ET
Reserve Champion Gelbvieh Female LCC Miss Red Green T4 Chandler Ladner, Argonia, Kan. Sire: FMM Redgreen 1070 R1
28 | December 2008
Grand Champion Gelbvieh Bull GGGE 3G Time Machine 758T ET Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Sire: SLC Freedom 178F ET
Reserve Champion Gelbvieh Bull DLGG “Stinger” 30S Circle S Ranch, Canton, Kan. Sire: JRI Extra Exposure 285L71
Premier Breeder & Exhibitor Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Shown accepting the award are Rebecca & Carl Griffiths on behalf of Emily.
Grand Champion Balancer Female GGGE 3G Cowgirl Uvena 832U Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Sire: Northern Improvement 4480
Reserve Champion Balancer Female STRM Persuasion 173U Stream Cattle Company, Chariton, Iowa Sire: SLC Freedom 178F ET
Grand Champion Balancer Bull GGGE 3G Undertaker 813U Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Sire: GGGE 3G Smoke N Mirrors
Reserve Champion Balancer Bull AHL Ribeye 18U Poker City Ranch, Agenda, Kan. Sire: HXC Gravity B 252L
Continued on page 30
Gelbvieh World | 29
Shows shows
American Royal ... Continued from page 29
Gelbvieh Champion Spring Heifer Calf GGGE 3G Cowgirl Ultrabright 890U Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Sire: GGGE 3G Rio Bravo 564R
Gelbvieh Champion Spring Bull Calf HFGC Hart 34U25 Hart Farm, Kansas City, Kan. Sire: HFGC GIP Extra Hot P60
Balancer Champion Senior Heifer Calf
Gelbvieh Champion Winter Heifer Calf GGGE 3G Cowgirl Ursula 837U Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Sire: GGGE 3G Space Cowboy
Gelbvieh Champion Cow-Calf HFGC Miss Nugget 161R ET Hart Farm, Kansas City, Kan. Sire: SLC Freedom 178F ET
Balancer Champion Spring Heifer Calf
HFGC Hart 34U17 Hart Farm, Kansas City, Kan. Sire: SLC Freedom 178F ET
LJMC Devon 7216T McCabe Cattle Company, Farley, Iowa Sire: JRI Extra Exposure 285L71
Balancer Champion Intermediate Heifer
Balancer Champion Junior Female
Balancer Champion Senior Female
BCFG Ravishing Ruby 502T1 ET Britney Volek, Highmore, S.D. Sire: BUF BFCK Cherokee Canyon 4912
EBY Future Direction 6219S Chandler Ladner, Argonia, Kan. Sire: Lyons Future Direction 4154
HCCG Ms Kellenna ET Hightower Cattle Company, LaCygne, Kan. Sire: Bon View New Design 878
Balancer Champion Spring Bull Calf
Balancer Champion Senior Bull
30 | December 2008
EBY Miss Western 7319T Chandler Ladner, Argonia, Kan. Sire: JRI Great Western 254N69 ET
Gelbvieh Champion Winter Bull Calf Gelbvieh Champion Senior Bull Calf
EBY Miss Western 7297T Chandler Ladner, Argonia, Kan. Sire: JRI Great Western 254N69 ET
AHL Canyon Hawk 40U Poker City Ranch, Agenda, Kan. Sire: AHL Blue Collar 2506R
Gelbvieh Champion Senior Heifer Calf
XXB King George 918S ET Triple K Gelbvieh, Bonner Springs, Kan. Sire: B/R New Frontier 095
NO PHOTO AVAILABLE
Balancer Champion Senior Bull Calf XXB Wingman 639T ET Boehler Gelbvieh, Orleans, Neb. Sire: XXB Ludacris 039S ET
XXB Playmate 839U Boehler Gelbvieh, Orleans, Neb. Sire: EGL Old Iron Nuts S842
West Virginia State Fair Open Gelbvieh & Balancer Show August 11, 2008 Lewisburg, W. Va. Judge: Kyle Conley, Perkins, Okla. Reserve Champion Female
RCY Hill Top Champayne U06 Hill Top Haven Farm, Strange Creek Sire: Mytty In Focus
Grand Champion Bull
JDRF Diesel T09 Justin Ridenhour, Salisbury, N.C. Sire: JRI Extra Exposure 285L71 ET
Grand Champion Female
MLH Miss Goldrush T150 ET Hill Top Haven Farm, Strange Creek Sire: BR Midland
Reserve Champion Bull DENT Uzi 08U Dent Family Farm, Gay Sire: RCY Hill Top Merlin S03
State Fair of Texas Open Gelbvieh & Balancer Show October 10, 2008 Dallas, Texas Number Shown: 24
Reserve Champion Female JDPD Rags to Riches 407T1 Dromgoole’s Heaven, Richmond Sire: XXB Big N Rich 911P
Grand Champion Female
Grand Champion Bull
JDPD Rumor Had It 407U Tahanee Embry, Priddy Sire: RTRM Headline 101P
JDPD Hancock 101U Dromgoole’s Heaven, Richmond Sire: RTRM Headline 101P
Reserve Champion Bull
JDPD Sportspage 450T Dromgoole’s Heaven, Richmond Sire: RTRM Headline 101P
Gelbvieh World | 31
Junior Essays
Junior Feature junior feature The President’s Biofuel Mandate: Boom or Bust The following two essays are the champion and reserve Senior Creative Writing entries from the 2008 American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) Blue Ridge Classic. The senior division includes entries from youth 16 to 21 years of age. The essays appear in their unedited form.
Biofuel Boom or Bust By Tahanee Embry, Priddy, Texas Age: 17 years old
Champion Senior Creative Writing Ethanol and biodiesel have been produced in the United States for more than 100 years. But recent federal initiatives have driven up production. President Bush signed a new energy bill into law on December 19, 2007. This new law mandates that 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels be produced by 2022, a nearly fivefold increase over current production levels. Fifteen billion gallons of fuel are to come from grain-based sources such as corn. Yep, that’s right, the corn that I feed to my show heifers everyday just became the new designer fuel. Well, isn’t that a boom! Or so I thought, until I went to the feed store to buy some feed, and my checkbook busted. This increased ethanol production does present challenges. Cattle producers oppose increasing this government mandate because of the negative impact the mandate would have on corn prices and supplies. According to a recent USDA’s corn stocks report, corn futures will likely remain above $5 per bushel through December 2010. “As the U.S. ethanol industry continues to expand, the amount of corn used for ethanol production is increasing dramatically. Corn use for ethanol more than doubled between 2001 and 2005.” (Source: Renewable Fuels Association) The cost of supplies has also risen to extreme levels. Take fertilizer as an example. The cost of fertilizer has doubled in the last year, because biofuels require a huge amount of nitrogen fertilizers to be produced. So, as a result, I will not be fertilizing my show heifer’s pasture. On March 8, 2007, NCBA member and Texas cattle feeder Ernie Morales testified before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry at a hearing on feed costs for the livestock industry. Morales told the committee how livestock producers across the country are struggling to find reliable sources of animal feed amid drought, wildfires, winter storms, transportation challenges, shortage of hay and forage, and rising corn prices. “The livestock industry remains the largest consumer of corn by utilizing almost 58 percent of the total corn used over the past decade. In the past year alone, cattle feeders have seen a 92 percent increase in cash corn prices.” (January-February 2007 price at $3.68 per bushel, compared to $1.91 per bushel in 2006.) “In time U.S. corn producers can meet this rapidly expanding additional demand. However, until the appropriate acreage and yield adjustments can be made during this transition, USDA’s current projection of a 50 percent year-to-year increase in ethanol-based corn demand from 2.15 to 3.2 billion bushels will be felt squarely in the wallets of every feeder and cow-calf producer in this country.” (NCBA member and Texas Cattle Feeder Ernie Morales, March 8, 2007) Several legislative proposals have been introduced to freeze or reduce ethanol production mandates, and to reduce or eliminate incentives that divert feedgrains toward ethanol production. NCBA President Andy Groseta stated that while consumers are feeling the 32 | December 2008
pinch from the rising cost of many foods, livestock producers are bearing most of the burden when it comes to meat production. “Cattle producers have always depended on the free market to drive their business, and as long as cattle producers have the ability to compete on a level playing field with the ethanol industry for each bushel of corn, the U.S. beef industry can and will remain competitive,” Groseta said. “NCBA feels that it is time to level the playing field and allow market forces rather than government intervention to guide the production and use of ethanol. Many cattle feeders are currently losing about $150 per animal. With 525,000 head of steers and heifers going to market each week, that amounts to an average weekly industry loss of approximately $79 million. These losses will be passed on to the foundation of our industry, the cow/calf producer. For every $1 per bushel increase in the price of corn, a cattle feeder must pay $22 per hundred-weight less for a 550 lb. feeder steer.” To be fair, there are good reasons to use biofuel, such as ethanol for the environment. Some of those reasons include: • Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions 29 percent. • Lowers tailpipe carbon monoxide emissions u p to 30 percent. • Lowers toxic content 13 percent. • Lowers tailpipe fine particulate matter emissions 50 percent (American Farm Bureau Federation) A technical advisory committee to USDA and the Department of Energy determined that biofuels can supply 20 percent of the nation’s transportation fuels by 2030. Cattlemen support the nation’s commitment to reduce dependence on foreign energy, and supports efforts to develop forms of renewable energy. This commitment is creating both opportunities and challenges for our nation’s agricultural producers. There are currently 110 ethanol plants in the United States, and an additional 115 plants are under construction. With this many plants in production, farmers and ranchers will have a huge demand for corn. Therefore, farmers will have to adjust the crops they traditionally grow. The financial benefit for corn farmers will be good. Beef producers will be affected because less corn will be available for feed rations. However, greater quantities of distillers grain and other ethanol by products will be plentiful which can be used as a cattle supplement. In summary, the biofuel mandate will place hardship on American ranchers because input costs for feed, fertilizer, and other supplies has taken a gigantic leap. At the same time, it puts forth unique opportunities for ranchers to be innovative in production technologies. Basically, to sum it up… my heifers are going to cost more to feed, have to fertilize their own pasture, and will be hauled to shows on fuel that they would prefer to eat.
Junior Essays
Junior Feature junior feature
Biofuel Mandate—Boom or Bust for the Beef Indsutry By Britney Volek, Highmore, S.D. Age: 17 years old
Reserve Senior Creative Writing Boom or bust? That is the million dollar question in the beef industry when it comes to President Bush’s biofuel mandate. At first glance, the production of biofuel seems like the perfect solution to today’s fuel crisis and would also seem to create more favorable grain markets for the farmers of our country. However, one must wonder if President Bush looked far enough into his crystal ball to foresee the magnitude of side effects the mandate has had, and will have, on other industries such as the beef industry. By 2022, the new law requires the US gasoline supply to include thirty-six billion gallons of renewable fuels. The biofuel industry continues to grow therefore requiring a large supply of grain for the production of ethanol. This increased demand for grain puts positive pressure on grain prices, planting decisions, and land values. As more grain goes into ethanol, less grain moves into the food chain. And thus, the vicious circle begins. The high demand for grain is driving the cost upward. The rising cost of grains such as corn has spiked the input costs for all livestock producers. Feedlot owners can add an additional $100.00 to the cost of putting an animal through the feedlot with a simple $2.00 a bushel increase in grain prices. End result – less profit for beef producers and higher costs on the dinner table. Elevated grain prices are also driving how land is used and ultimately the value of land in the United States. As land prices rise, more and more grassland is being broken each year and utilized for grain production. Producers are able to bring home better profits from tillable land in addition to the fairly lofty pay checks they receive from government subsidies - subsidies that the livestock producer never sees. This is great news to some land owners, but not necessarily for the cattleman who is looking for hay ground or a home to graze cattle. Thus, the decreasing amount of land for beef production reduces the number of cattle in the production line. So, in what direction does fewer cattle numbers and higher input costs lead the beef industry? That’s the question we are all trying to answer, but even with an answer for this question, more arise. Will some beef producers leave the industry due to high expense costs? Will fewer cattle in the US increase the demand for beef helping to increase price and the cattleman’s profitability? Will the high costs at the beef counter prohibit the consumer from purchasing US raised beef at the supermarket? Will higher US beef product prices open the door for countries such as Australia, who do not utilize grain at an extended level for biofuel production, to export beef to the US at lower prices? The answers to these questions are very volatile, and it is anyone’s guess at this point in time as to which direction the cattle industry is
headed. If we take a peek on the positive side, there may be some relief from high beef input costs. Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) is a by-product of dry-milled ethanol production, which can provide both an energy and protein source for beef herds. Use of DDGS does come with some nutritional warning flags such as overfeeding of protein, phosphorus, and sulfur. Producers utilizing this product will need to understand the importance of knowing the content of DDGS when calculating feed rations. The price of DDGS is currently still linked to the price of grain. If and when more ethanol plants become active and more ethanol is produced, the price of DDGS has the potential to slowly decrease. This could provide a new feed source at a reasonable price for beef producers. We must all remember that as the demand for grain goes up, it also increases the costs for the biofuel companies. As these plants were built, many investors may not have expected grain prices at the levels they are today. Companies such VeraSun Energy have recently delayed the opening of one new ethanol plant due to the cost of corn. Others say they will close their doors and furlough employees due to struggles with financing and corn prices soaring. So, it’s not all roses on the ethanol side of the fence either. The profitability of producing ethanol could also have an effect on future corn prices. One cannot really examine the effects of biofuel without acknowledging the impact of volatile oil prices caused, in my opinion, by the instability of foreign countries, greedy oil companies and big oil money in Washington. Rising oil prices have had a huge impact on the state of our country’s economy today. Price hikes due to transportation costs are currently driving the prices of every industry in the US, and the consumers are the ones paying the price. The push towards development of alternative energy sources and less dependence on oil from politically unstable countries through production of biofuel has sent this country into a tail spin. Biofuel is one of those energy sources, but the long term effects of this industry are yet to be determined as it is still in its infancy. Biofuel production and gas prices together are influencing the bottom line for the beef industry. As we, the beef producers, look to the future and try to figure out (or should I say gamble on) which direction our industry is going to turn, we have a lot on our plates to sort out. Biofuel is very entwined with the lack of oil, high cost of gasoline, rising grain prices, rising food prices, and the economy in general. As always, there are a lot of factors that the beef industry has no control over. So, I have talked in circles long enough. What is the answer to the million dollar question – Boom or Bust? As a seventeen year old who loves this industry, I really pray that the answer is boom. If I could gamble (remember I am not old enough to gamble so you cannot hold me to this), I would bet that grain prices will come down, biofuel by-product prices will decrease, cattle numbers will stay stable, and the demand for beef will stay strong. That is my shot in the dark. What is yours – Boom or Bust? Gelbvieh World | 33
Breeder's corner
RANCH
Arizona
Bill, Nancy & Sydney 23115 Co. Rd. 111.3 Model, CO 81059
Mike, Kathy, Troy and Tracy 589 Azalea Lane • Flora, IL 62839
719/846-7910
kitley@wabash.net • www.kitleyfarms.com
A Member of Seedstock Plus
The Prosser Family
928/477-2458 Summer
Georgia Breeding
Angus, Gelbvieh, Balancer & Commercial Replacement Females
Arkansas
Quality Performance
16158 Wards Tr., Butler IL 62015 (217)532-6384 Where good cattle never go out of style!
Indiana
Cattle Crawfish Creek Cattle Farms P.O. Box 365 • Chickamauga, GA 30707 Steve Tarvin, Owner 706/375-4867 steve@gelbvieh.net 1-888/338-2504 • Fax: 706/375-6786 Web: www.gelbvieh.net
California
TNT Farms Troy Lohman
928/289-2619 Winter
Winslow, AZ Website: www.bartbar.com Email: bartbar@hughes.net
618-673-2771
3 G Ranch
Gelbvieh Cattle For Sale Carl, Rebecca & Emily Griffiths Kendallville, Indiana
260/897-2160 • ggge3g@embarqmail.com
Your call or visit is Always Welcome
J&D Kerstiens,
Illinois
LLC
Jerome Kerstiens, owner
1345 Cobblestone Rd., Jasper, IN 47546
JDKG
812 • 482 • 2688
Andy Tinberg Owner (708) 717-8741 Wade Humm Herd Mgr. www.bigcreekcattle.com (616) 481-2822 Gelbvieh • Angus • Balancers® Supercharged Seedstock Elizabethtown, Illinois
J&D Kerstiens Annual Spring Production Sale March 14, 2009, Goreville, IL
MAPLE HILL FARM
Fullbloods, High Percentage Polled Gelbvieh • Polled Hereford
Merle E. Lewis
812/863-7701
James L. Lewis
812/863-2970
RR1 Box 1360 • Springville, IN 47462
Iowa • Polled Purebreds • Red • Black
Colorado Dave & Dawn Bowman 55784 Holly Rd. • Olathe, CO 81425 (970) 323-6833 •Toll Free:1-888-267-8477 PIN #4346
www.bowkranch.com
34 | December 2008
Double D Farm
Skyler Martin
9937 Warren Rd. Winslow, IL 61089
1200 S. Blackhawk Rd. Oregon, IL 61061
(815) 367-4116
(815) 732-7583
GS
Ridge Top Ranch
Gelbvieh-Angus-Balancer
Neola, Iowa
Black & Polled Private Treaty Sales
Breed-leading Performance from Quality Genetics
Kevin: 402-510-8103 Al: 402-676-5292
Budget Tight? A Breeder’s Corner ad is only $25740 per year.
Ricky Linquist th Street inquist 1135 190 inquist Fonda, IA 50540
arms Gelbvieh & Red Angus
Kansas
(712) 288-5349
arms
Email: rickylin@ncn.net www.linquistfarms.com
LGone O ak e l b v i e h hornsandthorns@netins.net Eric Ehresman (319) 489-2275 20963 30th St. (319) 480-1564 Mechanicsville, IA 52306
Bar Arrow Cattle Company Stuar t Jar vis
gelbvieh Gary and Kenny White 3140 SE Colorado • Topeka, KS 66605 785.267.1066 or 785.554.4744
Kentucky
26 E. Limestone Rd. • Phillipsburg, KS 67661 e-mail: bararrow@ruraltel.net • 785/543-5177 Purebred Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle High Quality Genetics for Every Cattleman. Owners: David Butts Cole Whitaker
Contact David Butts: 270-365-3715 (H) 270-625-4700 (C) Princeton, KY • Email: ddcmbutts@bellsouth.net
Bulls & Heifers
Black & Purebred Gelbvieh
Specializing in Black Balancer® Bulls Using top Gelbvieh, Angus and Red Angus AI sires
OSWALD RANCH 1426 Truro Pavement Osceola, IA 50213
Jim Oswald Cell – 641-344-9946 Home & Fax – 641-342-6638 Ranch – 641-342-3035 Breeding Gelbvieh for 30 Years!
John & Carla Shearer
2815 Navajo Road • Canton, KS 67428 (620) 628-4621 • circle_s@hometelco.net Annual Production Sale 1st Saturday in April
BAR IV LIVESTOCK
Barry, Beth, Ben Racke Brad and Jessica Racke
7416 Tippenhauer Rd. Cold Spring, Kentucky 41076 Email: bar4@insightbb.com GELBVIEH & BALANCER® GENETICS
Bar None Ranch
Paulsen Cattle Co.
Donald & Arlene Estes
18 Rue Renoir • Palm Coast, FL 32137 Phone: 386-446-5559 Email: dongbnr@bellsouth.net
Hand-Picked Top-Shelf Genetics Red & Black Purebred & Balancer
Darrel & Sue Paulsen H: 712-437-2213 C: 712-229-0419 plsncc@netins.net
David Slaughter, Sale Consultant
Traci Paulsen & Joe D’Souza H: 563-359-1006 C: 563-340-2001
Paulsen Cattle Co.
Ph: 859-635-3832 Ph: 859-393-3677
270-556-4259
Improving Your Pounds and Profit ... Bar None!
Double Bar H Gelbvieh • Balancer • Angus
Andy and Danielle LeDoux
Davis Holder Family
785 • 732 • 6564
9595 Bugtussle Road, Gamaliel, KY 42140 270-457-3010 270-670-2499 Cell =H =H
365 Agenda Ln. • Agenda, Kansas 66930-8969
Post Rock Cattle Co. 3041 E. Hwy 284, Barnard, KS 67418
Registered Gelbvieh Cat tle with Form & Function 13411 200th Ave. • Milo, IA 50166 Rande & Grant • (515) 971-5135 Email: randlseuferer@iowatelecom.net
McCabe Cattle Co.
Two Step Ranch
563-543-5251
563-543-4177
Gelbvieh
Balancers
Lacey McCabe
“Where calving ease, performance & eye-appeal come together”
Farley, Iowa
(E-mail): twostepranch@netins.net (web): www.mccabecattle.com
Parker Corum
606-598-3535 Goose Rock, Kentucky www.littlebullfarm.com More Milk • More Muscle • More Pounds
Plan Early for Winter Advertising!
Pat and Jay McCabe
Annual Bull Sale – 3rd Sat. in February
Bill Clark 785/792-6244 Leland Clark 785/792-6208
Purebred A.I. Seedstock Bulls and Heifers Available. Al, Mary & Nick Knapp Cell: (913) 219-6613 18291 158th Street H: (913) 724-4105 Bonner Springs, KS 66012 FAX: (913) 724-4107 e-mail: knappa@swbell.net
February Deadline: Dec. 8 March Deadline: Jan. 20 Call 303-465-2333 today!
Gelbvieh World | 35
Breeder's corner
Montana •
Minnesota Brandywine Farm Tom Scarponcini
30474 Brandywine Road Rushford, MN 55971
507-864-2063
Gelbvieh
SFI Schafer Farms, Inc.
Jon & Edna Miller
H: 417-632-4925 • Cell: 417-437-5250 28760 Norway Rd. Stark City, MO 64866 We Are Making the Best Better with Planned Genetics
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
Jared, Caisie Gib, Debbie & Brooke & Jenny (573) 646-3289 (573) 646-3477
ral M Cent
ontana Gelbvieh Gene tics
1515 Mint Springs Rd.•Owensville, MO 65066 Quality Seedstock ... a family tradition since 1948.
Red or Black Polled Gelbvieh Bulls and Females for sale at all times.
Kalina Gelbvieh Dave & Marilyn Kalina
Ph. (406) 464-2331
Mississippi
174 Valentine Rd • Roy, MT 59471 e-mail: gelbviehs@midrivers.com
Quality Animals ... Reasonable Price.
Triple L. Farms
Ken & Nancy Flikkema Dale & Nancy Flikkema 8289 Huffine Lane Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 586-6207
Gelbvieh Cattle
Marty Langston 295 CR 62 • Oakland, MS 38948 (H) 662-623-5194 • (Mobile) 662-457-7363
REGISTERED GELBVIEH
Missouri
ontana Gelbvieh Gene tics tral M n e C
Pine Ridge Gelbvieh
Two Year Old Range Ready Simangus and Balancer Bulls
18-30 mo. age, forage tested on fescue, calving ease, semen tested, guaranteed, large selection of top genetics, utilize hybrid vigor for more dollars, more longevity, more forage genetics to lower your feed costs.
J ohn Rotert/Bob Harriman www.rotertharriman.com Montrose, MO 660-693-4844 • 492-2504 (cell)
If you’re not here, how does your customer find you? 36 | December 2008
EW ACRE NVI U S Registered Gelbvieh S Doug, Carol, Ryan & Adam Distler 40591 Highway 87 • Russellville, MO 65074 660.489.2336
Phone: (406) 538-8112 Dave & Cheri Strouf Lewistown, Mont.
Nebraska
VanWinkle Farms
Registered Balancer® Bulls & Heifers
David & Carrie VanWinkle (417) 451-4664 (O) (417) 437-7245 (C) 12406 Oak Rd. Neosho, MO 64850
Richard VanWinkle (417) 451-4137
J. J. Boehler
70948 L Rd. , Orleans, NE 68966 308-473-7342 • 308-999-0207
N. Carolina
Mike Hynek
6700 County Rd. 19 S. Minot, ND 58701 (701) 624-2051 (H) (701) 720-8823 (C)
1058 Rd 2300 • Guide Rock, Nebraska 68942 402/257-2200
www.goldrushgenetics.com Gelbvieh
• Private Treaty Sales •
Rob Arnold
Angus
k leinschmidt f arms g elbvieh
Randy Kleinschmidt 402/ 759-4660 (H) 402/ 366-1605 (Cell)
Bill Kleinschmidt
402/ 759-4654 www.kleinschmidtfarms.com
Producing Black, Polled Genetics for Today & Tomorrow.
Ge n e va • Nebr a s k a • 6 83 6 1
Kelly & Michelle Dahl
D Bar D
Add Pounds, Muscle and Growth!
GELBVIEH Hazelton, North Dakota (701) 782-6813
D
Ohio
Bulls For The BeeF Business Gelbvieh & Balancer & Red Angus & Angus & Angus Hybrids Randy & Leslie Lemke (H) 402-756-7090 (C) 402-469-2284
D
Email: rlagelbvieh@aol.com
1757 Road 2500, Lawrence, NE 68957 rllemke@gtmc.net
Walter & Lee Teeter 1380 French Belk Rd. • Mt. Ulla, NC 28125 (704) 664-5784
Mark & Patty Goes 39414 SW 75th Rd. Odell, NE 68415 (402) 766-3627
Oklahoma
Pope Farms Gelbvieh Gelbvieh’s Powerful New Perspective
P
Jeff and Jeanne Pope 26075 Willow Rd., Ravenna, NE 68869 Phone & Fax: (308) 467-BEEF popefarms@nctc.net
www.popefarms.com
Mick & Dave Ainsworth P.O. Box 154, Jackson Springs, NC 27281 910-652-2233 Cell: 910-639-4804 Mick’s email: longleaf@etinternet.net Dave’s email: longleaf@dsslink.net
Jeff Swanson • 308/337-2235 72408 I Road • Oxford, NE 68967 BALANCER
E-mail: rgallaway@itlnet.net • www.gallawaygelbvieh.com
15182 N. Midwest Blvd. • Mulhall, OK 73063
Exceptional
Annual Sale—Last Saturday in February
GELBVIEH
Randy, Pam & Family 405-649-2410 • Cell 405-742-0774
Jarius & Rhonda Garner P.O. Box 1642 • 4180 Hwy 705N Robbins, NC 27325 Registered Gelbvieh Phone: 910.464.1290 Fax: 910.464.1291 E-mail: jgarner@pinehurst.net
BULLS & HEIFERS
TRUCKING AVAILABLE
Annual Sale 2nd Tuesday in February. Dale & Jeannette
308/826-4771
Mike & Renee
308/826-5185
23685 Sartoria Rd. • Amherst, NE 68812 www.taubenheimgelbvieh.com
N. Dakota
S. Carolina
Chimney Butte Ranch Doug and Carol Hille 701/445-7383
3320 51st St., Mandan, ND 58554
chimneybutteranch@westriv.com www.chimneybutteranch.com Annual Production Sale 1st Friday in March
Gelbvieh World | 37
Breeder's corner S. Dakota ADKINS GELBVIEH
1800 W. 50th St. • Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Gelbvieh & Balancer Performance Genetics Blacks & Reds A select group of heifers available each fall Bulls available year around (605) 354-2428 Cell (605) 546-2058 Home Gerald Adkins
Steve Schroeder 605-334-5809 (O) • 605-363-3247 (H)
402 4th Ave., Iroquois, SD 57353 adkinsgelbvieh@hotmail.com
Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch Registered Gelbvieh Cattle Bulls • Heifers • Embryos • Semen
Virginia
Thorstenson Gelbvieh
Selby, South Dakota Annual Bull Sale 1st Saturday in March Ken & Jo Vaughn & Wendy 605-649-7304 605-649-6262
Ron Hughes 276-637-6493
Brad Hughes 276-637-6071
www.Balancerbulls.com
121A Lavender Dr. Max Meadows, VA 24360 Purebred Gelbvieh & Balancers®–all Black, all Polled
Jim, Barb, Brandy & Brittney Beastrom Phone: 605-224-5789 • Fax: 605-224-5793 20453 Cendak Rd. • Pierre, SD 57501 www.beastromranch.com
Julie Julie and and Carl Carl Maude Maude Hermosa, SD Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer® Genetics from a Trusted Source cj_llivestock@yahoo.com
605.255.4944 (H) • 605.381.2803 (C)
Tennessee
M
Circle M Farms Taking Black & Polled to a New Level
Thomas Mears McMinnville, TN
615-849-6199 (C) 615-563-5066 (H)
Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer® Cattle
High Quality, Black and Polled Piedmont, South Dakota
605-787-4595
http://www.elkcreekgelbvieh.com
Hojer
G Gelbvieh elbvieh R Ranch anch
Email: hojerranch@rapiddatasystems.net Website: www.hojergelbviehranch.com
“Performance Genetics for Your Tomorrow”
38 | December 2008
Red House, VA 23963 Office (434) 376-3567 James D. Bennett Paul S. Bennett Jim G. Bennett Brian R. Bennett
Fax (434) 376-7008 434/376-7299 434/376-5675 434/376-5760 434/376-5309
Clinch Mountain Gelbvieh John & Liz Loy 7611 Dyer Rd. • Luttrell, TN 37779 (865) 687-1968 j.b.loy@att.net Bulls & Heifers for Sale
Hickory Hill Farm “Quality Gelbvieh Genetics”
Dr. & Mrs.T Marshall Hahn Owners
Tracey Redifer Manager
2246 Lusters Gate Road • Blacksburg, VA 24060
Texas
43968 208th Street Lake Preston, SD 57249 605/847-4155 605/860-1326 Alan & Pam Blake, Nikki, Christian
QUALITY POLLED GELBVIEH
Jim & Pat Dromgoole 4403 Winding River Dr. • Richmond, TX 77469 Home (281) 341-5686 • Ranch (979) 561-8144
www.dromgoolesheaven.com Show Cattle Managers: James & Shannon Worrell • (325) 258-4656
(540) 961-3766 • tlrhhf@verizon.net
Budget Tight? A Breeder’s Corner ad is only $25740 per year for a one-inch ad in 11 issues.For a larger ad it’s $514 80.
Call Today!
Dr. Daryl Wilson Joe & Gwen Wilson Tyler Wilson (276) 628-4163 (276) 676-2242 Registered (276) 614-0117 (C) Gelbvieh Cattle 17462 Fenton Dr., Abingdon, VA 24210 • TrebleWRanch@aol.com
W L H
LITTLE WINDY HILL
F
Doug & Sue Hughes
QUALITY GELBVIEH CATTLE
Farms
6916 Peppers Ferry Road Max Meadows, VA 24360 H 276/637-3916 C 276/620-4271
Washington NN Bar Ranch, Inc.
Registered Angus, Gelbvieh and Balancers®
Kris, Dawn and Laren Nelson 21200 Watson Road East Creston, WA 99117
509-636-2343
NN
Email: nnbarranch@asisna.com
W. Virginia
Wyoming Wattis Ranch, LLC Gary and Pam Wattis 5600 S. Poplar Street • Casper, WY 82601
307-235-4142 wattisranch@gmail.com
Building the Next Generation of Elite Genetics
Some Parasites Sidestep Cold Weather Source: Merial SHARE Newsletter
Parasites take the winter off, right? Not so, says Dr. Gary Zimmerman, veterinary parasitologist, Zimmerman Research, Livingston, Mont. “Cattle and pastures can carry a parasite burden throughout the winter — even after temperatures fall below freezing,” Dr. Zimmerman says. In fact, inhibited Ostertagia ostertagi, the brown stomach worm, can survive even in the cold Northern winters — both in cattle and on pastures.4 The brown stomach worm undergoes inhibition as a survival mechanism, Dr. Zimmerman says. Both cold weather and dry summers can trigger this parasite to lie dormant as early fourth-stage (inhibited) larvae in the abomasums until environmental conditions prevail. A large number of inhibited larvae accumulate in the gastric mucosa, and can persist for weeks or months, sometimes resulting in severe clinical disease when large numbers of worms mature into adults.5 “Presence of inhibited larvae causes damage, but even more harm is caused as the larvae come out of arrested development,” Dr. Zimmerman says. “They damage the abomasum and adversely affect digestion and feed conversion.”6 Protection inside cattle is not the only winter defense practiced by the brown stomach worm. Infective larvae also have been shown to survive the winter on pastures.4 “Infective larvae burrow into the ground and can survive a hard winter,” Dr. Zimmerman says. “In fall conditions, you can get a lot of these larvae on pasture that survive freezing conditions and continue to infect cattle.” Dr. Zimmerman cites a study his research team conducted in Oregon during a two-week period between Thanksgiving and Christmas when environmental temperatures never got above freezing. Parasite-naive calves turned out on contaminated pastures during this period picked up more than 200,000 nematodes, the majority of which were Ostertagia.7 “The best plan for climates with cold winter weather is to treat for parasites in the fall and spring,” Dr. Zimmerman advises. He says this will help get rid of all the parasites the animals have picked up and retained during the grazing season and will help clean out parasites in the inhibited state.
Dr. Zimmerman recommends waiting, in some cases, until after the first freeze to treat in the fall. He says though the freeze is not likely to kill all the parasites, it may reduce the number of larvae at the ground surface. “Cows treated in late fall with an endectocide carry more weight through winter, wean heavier calves and, in some cases, breed back faster than nontreated controls within the same herds,”8 says Dr. James Hawkins, parasitologist and consultant, Veterinary Services, Merial. “However, it is important to remember that treating for parasites in the fall does not protect cows all year long, which is why a spring treatment also is essential.” Dr. Hawkins adds that not all dewormers are effective against inhibited larvae, so producers need to read labels and use a product that is effective against inhibited O. ostertagi. Dr. Zimmerman says treating again in the spring cleans up any residual parasites and kills additional larvae picked up from spring grazing. Pasture management also can help reduce parasite contamination. Dr. Zimmerman says that following spring treatment, producers should wait approximately 10 to 14 days for the compound to kill the parasites before moving cattle to a clean pasture. This helps reduce pasture contamination. “The bottom line is that cold winters do not mean that producers can be complacent about parasite control,” Dr. Zimmerman says. “Left untreated, O. ostertagi and other parasites will overwinter in cattle and can cause harm to the animal and a producer’s bottom line.” Sources: 4Parasites: Epidemiology and control. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice. 1986;2(2):235-246. 5Williams JC, Knox JW, Baumann BA, Snider TG,
Kimball MG, Hoerner TJ. Efficacy of ivermectin against inhibited larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi. Am J Vet Res. 1981;42(12):2077-2080. 6Corwin RM, Randle RF. Common internal parasites of cattle. University of Missouri Extension. G2130. October 1993. 7Rickard LG, Zimmerman GL. The epizootiology of gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle in selected areas of Oregon. Vet Parasitology. 1992;43:271-291. 8Bagley C, et al. Internal parasites in cattle. Beef
Cattle Handbook. University of Wisconsin Extension, Beef Cattle Resource Committee. BCH-3305.
Gelbvieh World | 39
Management
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News news Industry Update
Become a Master of Beef Advocacy Beef checkoff-funded “MBA” program launched to prepare producers for speaking opportunities It doesn’t require you to pass the SAT, ACT or even the LSAT to earn this MBA, but beef producers will benefit just the same. It’s the MBA – the Masters of Beef Advocacy Program – launched this fall by the beef checkoff program. The newly designed MBA program is an e-learning opportunity developed to assist producers across the country in becoming effective spokespersons for the industry. The program consists of six, 1-hour core courses for the 2009 fiscal year: beef safety, beef nutrition, animal care, environmental stewardship, modern beef production and the beef checkoff. “The MBA program will be a voluntary, self-directed online learning environment designed for beef producers. It will provide them with facts about their industry and their product, beef. Producers who participate in the MBA program will be equipped to communicate those facts to fellow producers and consumers,” says Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) member Daryl Berlier Owen, cow/calf
producer and feeder from Amarillo, Texas, and vice chair of the Joint Public Relations Subcommittee. “This checkoff-funded program will help producers get involved and active in promoting their industry by telling the story about beef.” Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska and Texas this fall will kick off a pilot program with producers in their areas. Based on this pilot, the MBA will be introduced on a nationwide basis. The complete program consists of a reading exercise, followed by a short “your story in your own words” essay assignment, and concludes with an open-book quiz. At the end of the MBA program, producers are given a homework assignment to complete one of three exercises—with media, online or public speaking. The program won’t stop there. MBA alumni will be encouraged to conduct team outreach on issues management topics. Producers who complete the program will be added to a weekly e-newsletter that gets them further involved through action
items. They are then asked to voluntarily submit an online response to a blog post or write a letter to the editor, just to name two examples. Continuing education rewards are granted on an ongoing basis when producers log follow-up activities. “Many producers have been approached by their local church, school, FFA, 4-H or Kiwanis club to speak about beef,” says Owen. “Now, the checkoff is equipping us with the tools we need to say ‘yes’ to that request. It’s just another way we can be involved on a grassroots level and proactively be of service to this industry.” A full-day MBA graduation course will be held at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Cattle Industry Summer Conference. Producers wanting more information should contact Daren Williams at dwilliams@beef.org, 303-850-3346 or contact their state beef council. For more information about checkoff-funded programs, visit www.MyBeefCheckoff.com.
Gelbvieh World | 41
President’s Profile
Feature feature
Building a Family Tradition By Lori Maude, Gelbvieh World Editor
K
en Thorstenson wanted to raise registered cattle to add value to his cow-calf operation. But the question of which breed was a big one and he decided to give several of the Continental breeds a try in the early 1970s. Thorstenson had about 50 Charolais cows and 30 Limousin cows; then a local Simmental breeder recommended that he try the Gelbvieh breed. Ken artificially inseminated a group of black baldy cows in 1973 and had the first Gelbvieh-sired calves in 1974. That first spring with the Gelbvieh calves clinched the decision for Ken Thorstenson and the family made a commitment to the fledgling breed. “The Gelbvieh calves were aggressive to nurse and had tremendous vigor at birth,” says Vaughn Thorstenson, Ken’s son. “The way those Gelbvieh calves developed and grew really proved to us that Gelbvieh was the breed for us.” And make a commitment to the breed is exactly what Ken and Vaughn Thorstenson have done over the years. Today, Vaughn serves as President of the American Gelbvieh Association Board of Directors. Thorstenson Gelbvieh and Angus near Selby, S.D., has continued to grow and thrive over the years.
42 | December 2008
Vaughn’s sister, DeDee and her husband Brian Begeman, are also part of the family partnership. The cattle business is in the Thorstenson family’s blood. Ken’s grandfather raised registered Shorthorn cattle for many years. Ken’s father was strictly a commercial cattle producer and didn’t pursue the registered cattle business. However, Ken wanted to be able to add value to calves he was raising, so the decision to be a registered cattle producer was an easy one. In the early years, Ken Thorstenson worked with other breeders to market bulls in the spring. He sold bulls in Belle Fourche, S.D., with Kent Robinson and also in St. Onge, S.D., with Hugh Mayes. As the Thorstenson herd grew, they had enough bulls to host their own bull sale each year. Thorstenson Gelbvieh and Angus will host its 28th annual bull sale in 2009. “The Gelbvieh breed had a great solid foundation,” says Vaughn. “In the early years, we had commercial producers that knew good cows and were practical minded. Their decisions and work made the Gelbvieh breed what it is.” Today, Vaughn does the paperwork and registration work on the Gelbvieh herd, while his brother-in-law Brian Begeman does the Angus paperwork. Brian also takes
charge of calving all of the heifers each spring. Vaughn and his wife, Wendy, take the lead on putting together the bull sale catalog and manage the advertising for the sale. “We all have to pull our weight to get everything done in the spring,” says Vaughn. “Bull sale, calving, planting, it seems like it all hits at the same time.” Ken still helps out at the farm by delivering bulls, trucking cattle, running a tractor or combine when needed. His wife, Jo, works at the nursing home in Selby. “Neither one of them is ready to retire,” smiles Vaughn. “They seem to prefer to stay busy but they can tell us no if they want to do something else.” Over the years, the Thorstenson operation has expanded its crop enterprise, as well as its cowherd. Today they calve nearly 700 cows annually. They expanded the number of bulls offered in their sale, held each March in Mobridge, following the complete dispersal of Arnold Brothers near McIntosh, S.D., to meet commercial producer demand for Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics. In January 2004, Vaughn was elected to the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Board of Directors. Thorstenson had been involved in the South Dakota Gelbvieh Association and had attended several AGA
President’s Profile
Feature feature
Vaughn Thorstenson got an early start with his Gelbvieh involvement as part of the 1990 South Dakota Gelbvieh Association Board of Directors. Vaughn is pictured second from the left in the back row.
Conventions over the years. “I’ll admit that making the decision to run for the national board was a tough one,” says Vaughn. “It meant making the time to be off the farm, but it was a sacrifice my family was willing to make. In reality, being an AGA board member is about seven days off the farm throughout the year. Email discussions and conference calls help get the board business done without requiring additional travel time.” Thorstenson was elected to his second three-year term in 2007 and elected AGA Board President in 2008. He has one more year on the AGA Board of Directors. “The greatest thing about being on the AGA Board is the people you serve with,” says Vaughn. “Learning about operations in other parts of the country, their challenges and advantages—it’s all a learning experience.” As an association the greatest challenge going forward is maintaining Gelbvieh’s position as the maternal Continental Breed of Choice. “We have to be careful not to fall into a trap of pursuing traits at the risk of losing our strengths,” explains Vaughn. “We as breeders need to make it a goal to keep Gelbvieh’s fertility, maternal and milk traits in our breeding decisions.” Thorstenson adds, “We have to remind the commercial cattle producer that the crossbred cow is what makes him money.” After building their base with purebred Gelbvieh, the Thorstensons expanded their bull sale offering with Balancer bulls featuring Gelbvieh and Angus genetics in one package. “The Balancer program fit our focus to a tee,” says Vaughn. “We now sell more Balancers than purebred Gelbvieh
Vaughn spends quite a bit of time on the phone. His wife says this is a very natural photo of the AGA President.
bulls, but we are retaining more purebred Gelbvieh females in the herd to keep our base solid.” The other priority for the AGA Board of Directors is continuing to improve member services. So far, one of the biggest decisions made during Vaughn’s tenure on the board was to decide on a company to update the AGA registration database. “In the near future, we will be able to offer web-based registration services and provide more useful in-herd information to breeders so they can make better breeding decisions,” shares Vaughn. “It was a big decision but it was the right one for the association.” The other more recent decision to improve member services was to add three part-time regional coordinators. “The best trait a board of directors can have is the ability to think outside the box to address issues,” says Vaughn. “The Gelbvieh breed has been on the forefront
of so many things in the beef industry and now isn’t the time to let up.” Thorstenson feels the success of the breed hinges on expanding the customer base for Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics. “What makes Gelbvieh cattle work is that they work for the commercial producer,” says Vaughn. “If it wasn’t for happy customers we wouldn’t still be in the business.” The Thorstensons continue to build for the next generation. Vaughn and his wife have four daughters: Gina, 16; Kendra, 14; Jana, 12; and Kara, 10. Combine that with Brian and DeDee’s four sons, there is plenty of potential for the next generation to become involved in the farming and cattle operation. “We’ve spent 30 plus years building these genetics and the future has opportunity for those that look for it,” says Vaughn. “With the increased interest in feed efficiency and all of the new DNA testing, that’s the next frontier in cattle breeding.”
Member
Skyler Martin 1200 S. Blackhawk Road Oregon, IL 61061-9762 815•732•7583
Black Cross Sire: Bon View New Design 1407 Dam’s Sire: ELK CK Bronco 411G
Gelbvieh World | 43
Field Day
News news West Virginia Field Day October 11, 2008 Ravenswood, W. Va. Host: Michael and Rhonda Hall, Springdale Farms Staff Member: Wayne Vanderwert
An enthusiastic group of Gelbvieh breeders and area cattlemen gathered at Springdale Farms near Ravenswood for the West Virginia Gelbvieh Association’s Field Day on October 11th. While small in numbers the WVGA has worked hard recently to establish Gelbvieh at the State Fair, the State Beef Expo and with junior exhibitors and their efforts are paying off in increased recognition and demand for Gelbvieh cattle.
HAG Miss Dixie is a Montana to West Virginia transplant. Originally a Phil and Dolores Haglund donation heifer for the benefit of the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA), she was purchased by the Halls in the TJB Dispersal Sale.
44 | December 2008
Michael Hall serves as President of the West Virginia Gelbvieh Association. He and his wife Rhonda own Springdale Farms near Ravenswood, West Virginia Mike and Rhonda Hall’s beautiful log cabin home on Springdale and hosted the Field Day. Farms. Mike and Rhonda’s father did much of the construction work.
A hay wagon full of area cattle producers toured Springdale Farms to see a productive set of Gelbvieh females.
Gelbvieh breeder Allen Dent has been instrumental in working with the West Virginia Beef Expo, the WV State Fair and fostering a junior program to promote Gelbvieh cattle.
Carrie Crislip, Soil Conservationist with the local USDA-NRCS office discussed a number of conservation practices and incentive programs available to area cattlemen.
Sales sales Seedstock Plus Female Showcase III September 20, 2008 Lathrop, Mo. Auctioneer: Phil Schooley 13 Fall Bred/Pairs
$2,058
22 Spring Bred Females
$2,000
16 Open Heifers
$1,663
4
Spring Pairs
$3,638
1
Embryo Package
$200
The Seedstock Plus Showcase Sale started off with a bang and a generous gesture to Gelbvieh Profit Partners, Inc. The sale began with the selling of the 10 percent semen interest shares on JBOB Carolina Fortune 2564J ET. The four shares sold to Chris Zumbrunnen of St. Catharine for $5,500; Brandywine Farm of Rushford, Minn., for $5,250; Steffensen J5 Cattle Company of Gainesville for $5,200; and Jeff Swanson of Oxford, Neb., for $5,000. The four shares sold for a total of $20,950. The original owners, Seedstock Plus and J-Bob Farms, donated 10 percent of the sale proceeds to Gelbvieh Profit Partners. Following Carolina Fortune was the sale of RBMS Just Right 122P ET, owned by Simmons Cattle Company and AB Farms. He sold for $17,500 for full possession and 50 percent semen interest. He sold to Schafer Farms Inc, Goodhue, Minn.; Burbank Cattle Company, St. Catharine; and Rumfelt Gelbvieh of Conway. Simmons Cattle Company and AB Farms also donated 10 percent of the sale proceeds from Just
White Brothers Herd Reduction Sale Held in conjunction with the Showcase Sale 1
Spring Pair
$2,550
8
Spring Bred Females
$1,375
6
Fall Open Heifers
$1,092
17 Fall Pairs/Bred Females
$1,529
Immediately following the Showcase Sale, the White Brothers of Topeka, Kan., offered 33 head in their herd reduction sale. Lot 65, JBOB 5062N, a homozygous black and homozygous polled Balancer with
Right to Gelbvieh Profit Partners Inc. The highlight of the Showcase sale was a red homozygous polled purebred fall pair consigned by Hart Farm of Kansas City, Kan. Lot 21, HFGC Miss Audrie 125P64, sold with a Post Rock Top Brass bull calf at side to Jerry Clark of Leawood, Kan., for $5,000. Mulroy Ranch of Mayetta, Kan., consigned Lot 28, a Balancer fall pair. TMMW Blk Laura Sue 6001S1, a homozygous black, homozygous polled TAU Mr Krugerrand 70M 130P Balancer daughter sold with a LS/Plus Cimarron P207 bull calf at side to Eric Kloeppel of Freeburg for $2,000. Lot 8, JEB BCC Ms Primetime 71S, a homozygous black Balancer consigned by Burbank Cattle Company of St Catharine, topped the fall bred heifer offering. This fall bred heifer sold bred to Genetics by Design and posted an Igenity Tenderness score of 9. Bar T Bar Ranch of Winslow, Ariz., bid $2,700 for this female. Rumfelt Gelbvieh of Conway consigned the top selling fall open heifer. Lot 43, RUMG Lady Headline T6, was a homozygous black female with national champion females in her pedigree. She sold to Benard Smith of Belzoni, Miss., for $2,650. Another top selling fall open heifer was Lot 22, HFGC Miss Impulsive T38, consigned by Hart Farm. Bernard Smith of Mississippi bought this double black, halter broke HYEK Black Impulse 1296L daughter for $2,000. Bar T Bar Ranch of Arizona topped the spring open heifer offering with a pick of their spring-born 2008 calf crop. The buyer gets to choose from more than 200 calves.
South Texas Gelbvieh of Castroville, Texas, purchased this opportunity for $3,500. Rumfelt Gelbvieh consigned Lot 42 and 42A, a highlight of the spring group. Lot 42 is a black, homozygous polled Balancer female bred to JHG Premonition 662S ET for a spring 2009 calf. Chris Garoutette of Battlefield bought her for $3,100. Her daughter, Lot 42A was a non-diluter red, homozygous polled DCSF Post Rock ID 235R1 ET daughter who sold to Brad Rumfelt of Lebanon for $1,600. Blackhawk Cattle Company of Illinois topped the bred heifer offering with a pick of their home raised, bred heifers. South Texas Gelbvieh of Texas also bought this opportunity for $3,000. Redland Gelbvieh of Hysham, Mont., consigned another highlight of the spring offering. RED Eve 7073 is a homozygous black, purebred Gelbvieh by CSLG Mr Exclusive E27R. She sold A.I. bred to Conneally Lead On for a Valentine’s Day Balancer bull calf. Mike Christenson of Rochester, Minn., bid $2,950 to own her. South Texas Gelbvieh consigned STG Ms Yancey 51S6 to round out the top of the spring bred females. This homozygous black Bon View New Design 878 Balancer female sold bred to Rupple Expedition 323P for a spring baby. Wilkinson Gelbvieh of Model, Colo., won the bidding war at $2,900. In the spring open heifers, Lot 26, TMMW Krugers Blackbird 8298U, a homozygous black, Balancer heifer that is a full sister to a 2008 AGJA Blue Ridge Classic division champion sold to Tiana Garcia of Las Animas, CO for $2,100. Mulroy Ranch was the consignor.
a OZZ Ext Govenor fall heifer calf at side topped the offering. She sold to Burbank Cattle Company of St. Catharine for $1,800. Lot 77 and 78 tied for next high selling honors in the fall bred and pair group. They each sold for $1,700. Lot 77, GMP Walnut Ridge 32R, a double black, purebred Gelbvieh with a JBOB Carolina 3956L calf at side sold to Chris Wade of Ava. Lot 78, TOG Twin Oak Midland 165R, a double black, purebred Gelbvieh with a LS/Plus Cimarron P207 Balancer calf at side sold to Mike Christenson of Rochester, Minn. Lot 86, BWF Brandywine Nita 379N, a black, purebred Gelbvieh bred to TAU Mr Krugerrand 70M 130P for a spring calf sold
to Stuecken Bros of Freeburg for $1,700. Her spring Balancer heifer calf at side by HPR Future Direction ET 3554 sold to CJSD Gelbvieh of Bradford, Ohio for $850. Lot 88, TMGC Stubro CPR Sorority 42P, a black, purebred Gelbvieh sired by JBOB Carolina CPR and bred to OZZ Ext Govenor 3N sold to Sunset Ridge Farms of Jackson, Mo., for $1,600. In the fall open category, Lots 92 and 94 were the high sellers of the day. Stanley Stanton of Agency bid $1,250 to own Lot 92, a red purebred Gelbvieh sired by SLC Freedom 178F ET. Lot 94, a black, purebred Gelbvieh sired by DCSF Post Rock Top Brass sold to Brad Rumfelt of Lebanon for $1,200. Gelbvieh World | 45
Producer Profile
Feature feature
Smilin’ All the Way to the Bank By Lori Maude, Gelbvieh World Editor
For Ken and Jean Braun, their real jobs involve teeth. Both are dentists; Jean specializing in pediatric dentistry at a clinic in Owensboro, Ky., while Ken is in practice with his brother, Arnold, at a clinic in Rockport, Ind. Their 1,200-acre farming and cattle operation is a way to get away from their “real” jobs. Located near Grandview, Ind., in the southernmost tip of Indiana, the Brauns are surrounded by rolling hills of corn, soybeans and wheat. Ken also bought a group of commercial cows since his interest has always been more with cattle than with farming. “Arnold and I work back and forth on all aspects of the farming operation, but my real love is the cattle while he is more into the crops,” admits Ken. Ken decided early on that if they were going to have the cows, then he wanted to make sure the enterprise at least held its own. “I felt like if we are going to do this, we wanted to make sure the cows didn’t suck all the money dry,” says Ken. His first phone call in 1996 was to Purdue University for more information on the Integrated Resource Management (IRM) program. This put him in contact with Dr. Mark Hilton, who is one the team leaders for the IRM program. The Brauns were one of the first farms in Indiana to sign up for the IRM program. Ken admits that he didn’t have a concentrated calving season and he was all
over the place on the breed of bulls he was using. “We used Simmental bulls, we used Angus bulls and we even tried Hereford bulls,” says Ken. “We didn’t have a good focus.” Hilton told Ken that he needed to first move to a more concentrated calving season to get a more uniform set of calves to sell. It took a couple of years but today Braun has bunched the calving season to 70 days, late February through early April. “We are all spring calving so I can have the cows calved and moved to pasture before we begin planting in the spring,” explains Ken. “Then, we wean calves over Labor Day weekend, so they can be settled in before we start fall harvest.” The IRM program had the Brauns put their cowherd through a Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA). This analysis gave the Brauns a benchmark to measure improvements and other critical information to help make decisions to improve the operation. The IRM program at minimum requires a weaning weight on each calf. It is also important to individually identify the cows and tag the calves. Single sire pastures are not required, but Ken runs single-sire pastures to see what each bull produces. “It really helps to identify the bulls that put the performance in the calf,” says Ken. “We just happen to be in a situation pasture-wise that we can run about 35 cows per pasture and put one bull per pasture.” Ken began asking Dr. Hilton on recommendations for a breed to increase weaning weights and, thinking down the
road, a breed that would allow Ken to retain replacement heifers. At the same time, Ken had built a steady customer with a farmerfeeder in the county north of him that buys Ken’s steers and cull heifers for a natural beef market that serves a high Choice and Prime market. “I wanted more pounds without sacrificing quality grade,” says Ken. “It seemed like a tall order.” Dr. Hilton recommended that Ken try Balancer bulls on his Angus-based cows. This cross would give Ken more pounds of calf, while also keeping the percentage Angus a little higher to meet the quality grade requirement of his buyer. Also, in the future the Balancer-sired females would make top replacements in Ken’s herd. “I wanted to keep the black hide on the calves, so my other requirement was that the bull had to be homozygous black,” says Ken. He bought his first Balancer bulls through the Indiana Beef Evaluation Program and was more than satisfied with the results. He has also purchased Balancer bulls from Seedstock Plus, using its sight unseen purchase guarantee. “I’m busy with work and farm, so going to the sale usually isn’t possible,” explains Ken. “I look at the catalogs and I also visit with Dr. Hilton on pedigrees and EPDs. I make a list of the ones I’m interested in and trust the supplier’s judgment that the bull will work in my program.” Ken has seen a tremendous improvement in his calf crop since switching to Balancer bulls. “Prior to the switch of sire breeds,
Over the years, Ken put together a group of predominantly Angus-based commercial cows for his base cowherd.
46 | December 2008
receive a shot of Bovishield® Fetal Protection at that same time. Also, the calves receive their first preconditioning vaccination at pregnancy checking time. At weaning time the calves get a booster vaccination. Ken tags all of the calves at birth and any bull calves are castrated at birth. “I just want to lessen the trips through the chute, but still cover our bases in the health management area,” says Ken. “We follow the advice of our veterinarian and it also helps that he is also the veterinarian for the guy that feeds our cattle. The vet truly sees our cattle all the way through the process, so if we need to make some changes on the calfhood vaccinations it’s easy to change with the same veterinarian in charge.” Ken attributes the improvement in their cattle operation to several things. The extra assistance and recommendations from the staff with the IRM program, as well as improved management of the cattle. “The change in genetics has also played a key role in the improvement of our cattle operation. We have seen a real increase in the bottom line due to the combination of better management and better genetics,” credits Ken.
Table 1. Tracking Performance
1999
2000
2001 2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Calf Wt. (weaning)
443 lbs.
482
453
450
471
489
445
475
476
Calf Wt. (at sale date)
501 lbs.
554
541
567
603
636
589
644
675
Avg. Daily Gain
1.21 lbs.
1.47
1.91
2.22
2.87
2.73
2.57
2.65
3.05
*2002 first year a portion of calves were Balancer-sired, by 2004 majority were Balancer-sired.
our calf crop was uneven in frame size and we had tremendous variation in muscle, some were narrow built while others had adequate thickness,” says Ken. “With the Balancer bulls we have more uniformity of frame size and muscle. They are simply more consistent.” The Balancer-sired calves also work well in the natural beef program for the feeder aiming for the high quality market. “These calves have to work for the feeder, as well as the females will need to work in our herd as cows,” says Ken. For several years Ken sold both steers and heifers in the fall because he really
didn’t have a place or the time to develop and breed heifers. He has since worked out an agreement with the feeder that buys the steers to develop the heifers. “The feeder was taking the top end heifers and putting them as replacements into his own herd,” says Ken. “He now develops the heifers and breeds them in the spring. I have first opportunity to buy bred heifers back from him the following fall. The Gelbvieh-influenced females will give me the milk push that my herd needs to really take it to the next level.” The cows are pregnancy-checked each fall 35 to 40 days after the bulls are pulled. Cows
Bull Sale Connealy Front Page– Sons sell!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 • 1:30 p.m. CST
10 Top End Balancer® Heifers sell! (Junior members— many are show quality!)
A Total of 50 Bulls Sell Balancer® • Purebred • Black • Red
Sires Represented Include:
CTR Good Night 4743P– Sons sell!
F CTR Good Night 4743P F DLW Stout 695S F EGL Old Iron Nuts F LCC Gravity F Connealy Front Page F Plus others
Beaver City, NE 68926
Dan Warner (308) 962-5485 email: DMDLivestock@atcjet.net Gelbvieh World | 47
Producer Profile
Feature feature
View from the Field view from the field Sunbelt Agriculture Expo October 14-16, 2008 Moultrie, Ga.
American Gelbvieh Association was represented at the 31st Sunbelt Agriculture Expo in Moultrie, Ga., October 1416. AGA staff member Dana Stewart was on hand along with Alan and Adam Verner of Verner Farms, Rutledge, Ga., who provided a live cattle display with one of their purebred donor cows and Adam’s 2008 NWSS Reserve Champion Balancer Bull, PRTY Keenchafoonee. The Sunbelt Ag Expo features 1,200 exhibitors that range from livestock displays, farm equipment, live field demonstrations, and much more. An estimated 100,000 people attend the event. Exhibiting at the event showcases Gelbvieh not only within Georgia, but throughout the southeast. The Sunbelt Ag Expo is an excellent way to get the Gelbvieh message out and visit with many producers who are interested in using Gelbvieh or
Verner Farms provided a live cattle display for Sunbelt Expo.
Balancer cattle in their program. It was a successful show thanks to the help of Alan and Adam Verner. Quality cattle helped to gain attention from passers-by and great conversation with visitors helped to make an impact throughout the southeast. Report submitted by Dana Stewart
American Association of Bovine Practitioners Convention September 24-26, 2008 Charlotte, N.C.
The American Gelbvieh Association had a booth at the Bovine Practitioners Convention & Trade Show for the second year in a row. Gelbvieh is the only breed association represented in the trade show. It’s a great opportunity to visit with veterinarians that focus on beef and dairy cattle. Commercial cattle producers mention that veterinarians are a reliable source for information on breeding decisions. In an effort to reach these industry influencers, AGA made plans to be at the trade
Wiley Gelbvieh Scott and Kathy Wiley Musselshell, Mont.
show to get the Gelbvieh message out. We answered lots of questions about the breed, crossbreeding and how Gelbvieh fits into the beef industry. Some were familiar with the breed, while others had never heard of Gelbvieh. A few of the veterinarians had their own cowherds, many Angus-based, and were looking for that option to get more pounds without sacrificing calving ease. Thanks to our Gelbvieh members that are veterinarians for stopping by to visit. Always nice to see you! Report submitted by Lori Maude
Arriving in Billings just three days after a fall snowstorm dropped more than two feet of snow in parts of Montana, I was not sure what kind of conditions to expect as I headed towards Wiley Gelbvieh. Fortunately only the last three miles, from the main gravel road to the ranch headquarters, presented some challenging muddy roads as I made my way to see the latest batch of carcass calves born since the beginning of September. Scott and Kathy Wiley have been breeding cows for the AGA Sire Carcass Testing program for the last two years. On this visit I was able to
see the current batch of calves sired by OZZ Ideal Legacy 65R, DCH Hille M118 Majesty and VRT Lazy TV Classic M358 with GKT Boo Boo as our reference sire. In another pasture, first calf heifers were joined by some of the yearling females retained from last year’s calf crop; JOB Montana Infusion and EGL Northern Wind had some impressive daughters in this group. The rest of the 2007 calves are currently being backgrounded near Thermopolis,Wyo., and are scheduled to go into the feedlot in early January. Report submitted by Susan Willmon
This year’s carcass testing calf crop includes Ideal Legacy, Lazy TV Classic and Hille M118 Majesty calves. Right: An impressive EGL Northern Wind yearling heifer from the 2007 calf crop.
These Montana Infusion heifers were busy checking out the camera and the stranger in the pasture.
48 | December 2008
View from the Field view from the field CJSD Gelbvieh Charlie, Jordan and Scott Diehl Bradford, Ohio
Folks that say that it’s difficult for young people to get into the cattle business need to meet Jordan and Scott Diehl, young guys building a cowherd bit by bit. Trading labor, Jordan obtained his first Gelbvieh female from Bobby Myrick by working in the back during one of J-Bob Farm’s female sales. Much of cowherd’s genetic influence can be traced to J-Bob Farms and Jordan counts Bobby Myrick as a valued mentor as he got started in this business. As we walked through the cows, Jordan and Scott, his brother, remarked that in hindsight they should have spent their first six months in the Gelbvieh business traveling and looking at cattle. That trip would have more than paid for itself, saving them from purchasing some of their “mistakes” over the years as they added genetics to their program. Current emphasis is on growing the female numbers and producing a consistent type with the combination of an embryo transfer (ET) program and A.I. sire use. The majority of the females are in Ohio, just north of Dayton. A group of the females are in Mississippi being managed by their cousin, Isaac. In an effort to broaden their marketing reach, they have joined Seedstock Plus this year. At the time of my visit they had just returned from the Seedstock Plus fall bull sale in Missouri where they successfully marketed a group of bulls. Females are marketed through Seedstock Plus sales, as well as participation in the Maternal Edge Commercial Female Sale, in Cross Plains, Tenn., for the past two years. Growing the cow numbers means additional pasture and feed resources. Byproducts from a local seed corn company are ground and bagged for supplemental feed for the cowherd during the winter months. Rental pasture has also been found nearby, but typically with some much needed fence improvements and pasture management strategies. Charlie, Jordan and Scott’s father, is more typically found managing and marketing the family construction business. He is also part of the cattle venture, but leaves much of the day-to-day cattle operation to his sons. While a family venture, this is truly a case of the younger generation teaching the older generation about the cattle business. Report submitted by Susan Willmon This homozygous black JDKG Ruger son serves as one of the resident herd sires for Double V Farms.
This red cow and her calf are representative of the fall-calving cows in the Double V cowherd.
Vince Mariani splits his time between a full-time Air Force job and his farm.
This black fall-calving cow shows the phenotype and udder structure that is a goal for the CJSD program.
In order to increase cow numbers, the Diehls extend their pasture by utilizing corn stalks in the fall of the year.
Double V Farms Vince Mariani Warrensburg, Mo.
Vince Mariani is a 20-plus year military man. He works on the B2 Bomber stationed at Whitman Air Force Base near Warrensburg and has been in Missouri since 1996. Vince bought his first Gelbvieh cattle five or six years ago. With the purchase of a bull and five heifers, Mariani was on his way. Vince works with his dad on the cattle and farming operation. Vince’s wife is from Thailand and she manages the family’s restaurant in Warrensburg. “We are busy with lots of different things, but the cows are my project,” says Vince. He uses A.I. in his program. After one round of A.I., Vince turns in a red KIT Tabasco son and a homozygous black JDKG Ruger son for clean-up detail. The Ruger son boasts a powerful set of EPDs and his first calves are impressive. Mariani is moving to an all fall-calving herd to make management easier. He is also considering joining Seedstock Plus this year to help with marketing of his bulls. Report submitted by Lori Maude Continued on page 50
Gelbvieh World | 49
View from the Field view from the field
Continued from page 49
Bar IV Livestock Barry and Beth Racke Cold Spring, Ky.
The Bar IV cowherd is gradually moving over to an all fall-calving system.
Bar IV Livestock is located in the rolling hills just south of Cinicinnati, Ohio. Assisted by their two sons, Brad and Ben, Beth and Barry Racke have built a solid herd of Gelbvieh and Balancer females. Beth and Barry Racke got started in the Gelbvieh business with a heifer purchase during the Focus on Flexibility Gelbvieh Sale at the North American in Louisville. After the sale, the breeder of the heifer, Mike Hynek of Goldrush Genetics in Nebraska, approached the Rackes to thank them for the purchase. A relationship that has lasted many years started that day. Barry attributes much of what he has learned about the Gelbvieh breed from the mentoring Mike provided in the early days. Currently, the focus is breeding for Balancer calves but longer term they are looking at breeding some of those retained females back to make higher percentage Gelbvieh females. The program has a strong emphasis on DNA and much of the breeding decisions are made to increase Tenderness and Quality Grade, while keeping a more moderate female. Bulls are sold locally and the cows are being gradually shifted to a fall calving system. Ben is affectionately known as the family “calf whisperer” and as we walked through the fall cows with calves barely two weeks old, Ben had already worked his magic on several of the calves. As a small family-run operation, that has made a significant investment in their working facilities, having a group of cows that are easy to work with is also a priority. Report submitted by Susan Willmon
National FFA Convention October 22-24, 2008 Indianapolis, Ind.
The theme of the 81st National FFA Convention was “Step Up and Stand Out” and that’s just what the American Gelbvieh Association did as an exhibitor at the FFA Career Show held in conjunction with the convention October 22-24 in Indianapolis, Ind. Attending the FFA career show is a valuable way to get the Gelbvieh message into classrooms. In addition to the many students who stop by to visit during the show, several instructors also stop by the booth to pick up materials they can use as teaching tools in their classroom. Each advisor or teacher who came by the Gelbvieh booth received an “advisor packet” with facts sheets, technical bulletins, the junior 50 | December 2008
A combination of red and black cows grace the fields of Bar IV Livestock.
Ben Racke is known by his family as “The Calf Whisperer”. With his quiet demeanor he has already made friends with several of the baby calves.
focus issue of Gelbvieh World, and photos to use in the classroom. They also received a brand new poster produced and paid for as a part of AGA’s five-year plan. The poster illustrates Gelbvieh and Balancer females, the advantages of Gelbvieh in the beef industry, and has the theme “Grow with Gelbvieh” to encourage FFA students to consider Gelbvieh as a choice for their next project. Just in time for convention, American Gelbvieh Junior Association released an updated version of the Showing Cattle brochure. Many times as people walked off with their brochure, you could hear them saying “this has some really good stuff in it”— proving what a great educational and promotional piece it is. Free copies of all Gelbvieh promotional material, including the Showing Cattle brochure, are available from the AGA office. Report submitted by Dana Stewart
News news Association Update
2009 National Convention Honorees Roen, Beying to be honored in Denver Dave Roen of the XZ Ranch at Stanford, Mont., will be inducted into the AGA Hall of Fame at the 2009 American Gelbvieh Association National Convention. Roen was instrumental in promoting Gelbvieh cattle extensively throughout Montana and putting the Montana Gelbvieh Association on the fast track to become one of the largest member organizations in the early years of Gelbvieh. Roen also served on the AGA Board of Directors from 1982-1987 and again 1990-1992. Roen became involved with Gelbvieh when he started artificial inseminating a small group of cows to Gelbvieh bulls in 1972. He says those first halfblood claves outweighed the previous year’s calf crop by 125 pounds. There were no changes in management or pasture so Roen knew the difference was the Gelbvieh genetics. XZ Ranch exhibited cattle at the first Northern International Livestock
Exposition (NILE) Gelbvieh Show in Billings in 1981. Roen admits that the state and national association had its ups and downs promoting this breed of cattle but he said the people were the best to be around. One of the leading females from Roen’s operation was XZR Lady Madonna, shown and promoted by a Nebraska partner. During Roen’s tenure on the national board an in-house computer system was initiated to bring the Gelbvieh breed into the modern day registration systems. Jeanette Rankin of Kicking Horse Ranch was the point person on nominating Dave Roen for the Hall of Fame. In her recommendation letter she wrote, “Dave has a personality which blends in any situation often-times coming up with a light-hearted comment to defuse any confrontation in our meetings or in the barn.” With changes in the industry and the changing interests of his business partners, Roen dispersed the XZ Ranch and its
Dave Roen
cowherd in 1997. Brian Beying of Leavenworth, Kan., will be honored as the 2009 AGA Member of the Year. The Kansas Gelbvieh Association nominated Beying for the honor because of his many years of service as the editor of the Kansas Gold Reporter. He took over the editorial duties following the retirement of Jim French, a former AGA Member of Year. Brian is active in his family’s operation, Beying’s Dawson Creek Gelbvieh, and also works off the farm. He looks forward to 2009 when his oldest son, Seth, can begin showing in the junior shows and another generation of Beyings heads to the show ring.
Gelbvieh World | 51
Places to Be places to be December 2008 Dec. 1 Eagle Pass Ranch Annual Female Sale, Highmore, SD Dec. 4 Seedstock Plus Influence Feeder Calf Sale, Monte Vista, CO Dec. 5 Knoll Crest Farm Annual Bull Sale, Red House, VA Dec. 6 Seedstock Plus Influence Commercial Female Sale, Monte Vista, CO Dec. 11 Haglund Ranch Annual Bull Sale, Brockway, MT Dec. 12 Sunny Plain Ranch Complete Female Dispersal, Clavet, SASK Dec. 13 Little Windy Hill Farm 2nd Annual You-Pick-Em Bull Sale, Max Meadows, VA
January 2009
Jan. 9-10 American Gelbvieh Association Convention & Annual Meeting, Denver, CO Jan. 10 Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Bull Futurity, Denver, CO Jan. 11 National Western Stock Show Gelbvieh & Balancer Pen Bull Show, Denver, CO Jan. 11 National Western Stock Show Gelbvieh & Balancer Junior Heifer Show, Denver, CO Jan. 11 National Gelbvieh & Balancer Sale, Denver, CO Jan. 12 National Gelbvieh & Balancer Show, Denver, CO Jan. 13 International Livestock Congress—USA, Denver, CO Jan. 31 Lemke Cattle Company Annual Bull Sale, Lawrence, NE
February 2009 Feb. 2 Taubenheim Gelbvieh Annual Production Sale, Amherst, NE Feb. 3 DMD Livestock Annual Production Sale, Beaver City, NE Feb. 5 Black Hills Stock Show Gelbvieh & Balancer Sale, Rapid City, SD Feb. 10 Iowa Beef Expo Gelbvieh Gold Sale, Des Moines, IA Feb. 16 Two Step Cattle Co./McCabe Cattle Co. Annual Bull Sale, Dyersville, IA Feb. 17 Cedar Top Ranch Annual 2-Year-Old Bull Sale, Burwell, NE Feb. 19 American Classic Balancer Bull Futurity, Kearney, NE Feb. 20 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Gelbvieh/Balancer Sale, Kearney, NE Feb. 25 Grund Beef Genetics Cattlemen’s Choice Bull Sale, Oakley, KS Feb. 26 Plateau Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale, Brush, CO Feb. 28 Seedstock Plus North Missouri Bull Sale, Lathrop, MO Feb. 28 Swanson Cattle Company Annual Bull Sale, Oxford, NE
March 2009 March 1 March 2 March 6 March 7 March 7
Minnesota Gelbvieh Association State Opportunity Sale, Albany, MN Hojer Gelbvieh Ranch Annual Production Sale, Huron, SD Chimney Butte Ranch Annual Production Sale, Mandan, ND Judd Ranch 31st Annual Gelbvieh, Balancer & Red Angus Bull Sale, Pomona, KS Thorstenson Gelbvieh and Angus 28th Annual Production Sale, Mobridge, SD
52 | December 2008
March 7 Davidson Gelbvieh & Lonesome Dove Ranch 20th Annual Bull Sale, Swift Current, SASK March 7 Seedstock Plus Montana Opening Day Private Treaty Sale, Hysham, MT March 7 Flying H Genetics Quality Guaranteed Bull Sale, Arapahoe, NE March 10 Bar Arrow Cattle Company Annual Production Sale, Agra, KS March 14 Midwest Beef Alliance Bull Sale, Tina, MO March 14 Seedstock Plus High Altitude Bull Sale, Monte Vista, CO March 14 J&D Kerstiens Annual Spring Production Sale, Goreville, IL March 18 Eagle Pass Ranch Cattleman’s Source Bull Sale, Highmore, SD March 19 Elk Creek Gelbvieh All Black Bull Sale, Belle Fourche, SD March 20 Seedstock Plus Iowa Region Bull Sale, Keosauqua, IA March 21 Post Rock Cattle Co. Cowman’s Kind Bull & Female Sale, Barnard, KS March 21 Sooner Select Bull & Female Sale, Stillwater, OK March 21 J.J. Boehler’s Annual Balancer Bull Sale, Alma, NE March 21 Flying H Genetics Grown on Grass Bull Sale, Carthage, MO March 28 Seedstock Plus South Missouri Bull & Female Sale, Carthage, MO Editor’s Note: If you have sale information for this listing, please email the information to lorim@gelbvieh.org. Places to Be in the magazine and on the website is a free listing.
New Members new members The following individuals joined the American Gelbvieh Association and American Gelbvieh Junior Association during the months of September and October. Junior members are denoted with an asterisk (*).
Colorado Double Barrel Cattle Company, Manassa Georgia Thomas Saxon, Dewey Rose *Taylor Saxon, Dewey Rose Indiana Bullard Farms, Elkhart *Chelbey Whelchel, Fortville Iowa *Abby Maddox, Burlington Kentucky Lullaby Ridge LLC, Waynesburg Groce Farm, Albany *Daniel Bell II, Centertown
Ad Index ad index 3G Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Adkins Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 AGA Staff Greeting . . . . . . . . . . . 54 B&W Farms LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Bar Arrow Cattle Company . . 17, 35 Bar IV Livestock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Bar T Bar Ranch, Inc. . . . . . . . . . 34 Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch . . . . . . 38 Big Creek Cattle Company . . . . . 34 Birdwell, Jim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Blackhawk Cattle Company . . . . . 43 Boehler Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Bow K Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Brandywine Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Cattlemen’s Connection . . . . . . . . 11 C-Cross Cattle Company . . . . 14, 37 Cedar Top Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Chimney Butte Ranch . . . . . . . . . 37 Circle M Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Circle S Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 35 CJ&L Livestock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 CJSD Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Clinch Mountain Gelbvieh . . . . . 38 Country Boy Farms . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Cranview Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Crawfish Creek Farms . . . . . . . . . 34 Cunningham, Ronn . . . . . . . . . . . 40 D Bar D Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Danell Diamond Six Ranch . . . . . 36
DDM Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 DMD Livestock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Double Bar H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Dromgoole’s Heaven . . . . . . . . 9, 38 Eagle Pass Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Elk Creek Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Flying H Genetics . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Gallaway Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Gelbvieh Bar None Ranch . . . . . . 35 Gelbvieh Bull Barn . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Gelbvieh Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Goettlich Gelbvieh Ranch . . . . . . 36 Goldrush Genetics . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Green Hills Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . 37 GS Ridge Top Ranch . . . . . . . . . . 34 H&H Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Hart Farm Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Hartland Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 36 Hickory Hill Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Hill Top Haven Farm . . . . . . . . . . 39 Hojer Gelbvieh Ranch . . . . . . . . . 38 Igenity/Merial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 J Bar M Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . 13, 36 J&D Kerstiens LLC . . . . . . . . . . . 34 J&K Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Judd Ranch Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Jumping Cow Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . 55 Kalina Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Kitley Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Kleinschmidt Farms Gelbvieh . . . .37 Knoll Crest Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Lambert, Doak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Lemke Cattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37, 51 Leonhardt Cattle Company . . . . . 38 Linquist Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 35 Little Bull Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Little Windy Hill Farms . . . . . . . . 39 Locust Hill Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Lone Oak Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Longleaf Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 M&P Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Maple Hill Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Markes Family Farms . . . . . . . . . . 37 Martin Cattle Company . . . . . . . . 34 Mettler Sale Management . . . . . . . 40 Middle Creek Farms . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Miller, Jason . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 MMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 National CUP Lab . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 NN Bar Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Nowack Cattle Company . . . . . . . 36 NS Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Oswald Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Paulsen Cattle Company . . . . . . . 35 Pine Ridge Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Poker City Ranch . . . . . . . . . . 19, 35 Pope Farms Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . 37 Post Rock Cattle Company . . . . . 35
Raasch Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Ritchey Manufacturing . . . . . . . . 53 R-Jar Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Rocky Top Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Rogers Valley Farm Gelbvieh . . . . 36 Rotert/Harriman . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 San Juan Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Schafer Farms, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Schroeder Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Seedstock Plus LLC . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Seuferer Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 South Texas Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . 38 Sunview Acres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Swanson Cattle Company . . . . . . 37 Taubenheim Gelbvieh . . . . . . 21, 37 The 88 Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Thorstenson Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . 38 TNT Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Treble W Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Triple K Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Triple L Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Two Step Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 VanWinkle Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Wattis Ranch LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 White Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Wilkinson Gelbvieh Ranch . . . . . 34 Williams Land & Cattle Auction . 40
Michigan *Jesse Crusciel, Battle Creek *Neisha Hart, Marshall Missouri Risen Son Farms (Darrell Stewart), Arcola Beatty Farms LLC, Pleasant Hill Rangeline Genetics, Brookfield *Jeffrey Garber, Lincoln Montana Brian Mothershead, Brockway *Jessie Hafer, Emigrant North Carolina Bent Creek Farm LLC, Dobson South Dakota Twisted Wire Gelbvieh, Roscoe *Cole Michael Holtz, Roscoe Texas *Rylee Owen, Mason Washington Kruse Gelbviehs, Okanogan Gelbvieh World | 53
Sales sales Flying H Genetics Grown on Grass™ Bull Sale October 25, 2008 Kingsville, Mo.
Beautiful weather combined with a high quality set of Grown On Grass™ bulls let buyers from five states add athletic, ready-to-work bulls to their programs. In one hour the 52 bulls offered were distributed for a $2,280 average. Top selling bull was Lot 45, a powerful Red Angus herd bull by 5L Signature, purchased by Lacy Red Angus for $3,500. Top selling Balancer was Lot 7, selling for $3,200; he offered muscle, mass and maternal in one package. ES Dakota sired the top Simmental bull that sold for $3,300. The top SimAngus, a grandson of OCC Legend, brought $3,150. With this being the first offering of Grown on Grass™ in Missouri, all of the buyers were new customers, except for three spring bull sale customers. The response to the Grown on Grass™ developed bulls has been excellent with several spring customers already reporting how well the bulls handled a heavy breeding season, doing their job on grass without melting or falling apart while being very aggressive breeders. Some private treaty GOG bulls are available. The next offering of Grown on Grass bulls will be March 21, 2009 at Joplin Regional Stockyards.
Balancer Bulls Top the Averages at 2008 Edisto Bull Test Sale Balancer bulls made a splash at the Edisto Forage Bull Test Sale in South Carolina. A Balancer bull from Jo-Lyn Farms posted the top Weight per Day of Age with a 3.37 lbs/day and had the high yearling weight of the test at 1,515 lbs. A Balancer bull from Randall Farms was the second high selling bull in the sale at $3,500 and selling to Stanley Farms. A second Balancer entry from Jo-Lyn Farms was among the top 10 selling bulls. The four Balancer bulls averaged $1,950 compared to a $1,497 average for Angus and a $1,400 average for Polled Hereford. 54 | December 2008