April 2010 Gelbvieh World

Official Publication of the American Gelbvieh Association

April 2010

Producer Profiles: Gillespie Farms LJL Gelbvieh

Early Sale Reports

April 2010, Vol. 24, No. 7

Contents contents Features

Sales

34

17 Taubenheim Gelbvieh 17 North Dakota Golden Rule 18 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic 18 Warner Beef Genetics 18 Thorstenson Gelbvieh & Angus

Departments President’s Message Contact Us Guest Editorial

By John Thomas Johns Bits N Pieces Jr. Voice Breeder’s Corner Places to Be AGA New Members Hooves & Horns Ad Index

20 20 A Kentucky Cattleman Making the Most of the Gelbvieh Cross

By Steve Peddicord, AGA Area Coordinator 34 LJL Gelbvieh Ranch – A Lifetime of Commitment to Service

and Gelbvieh Cattle

By Max & Debby Porter and Don Danell, AGA Area Coordinator 38 A First-Hand Look into the Argentina Beef Industry

By Nikki Hojer

News 14 A Last Chance to Own a Piece of Gelbvieh History

By Dana Stewart, Director of Member Services 22 Resolving Installation Issues with HerdTrack and Windows Vista or Windows 7 25 Texas Junior Gelbvieh Association Seeking Meal Sponsors 25 Kansas Gelbvieh Junior Association Offers Herd Improvement Package 32 Carcass Ultrasound 101 – Accurate Data Means Dollars in the Pocket

By Dr. Mike Tess and the UGC

36

36 Estrus Synchronization 36 Gelbvieh Promotional Items 40 The Mating Game

By Susan Knights Willmon, Director of Breed Improvement

On the Cover: Thank you to Noel Senogles of NS Ranch, Gonzales, Texas for sending in this month’s cover photo. Also, thank you to everyone who has sent in photos for the Gelbvieh World and AGA supply of stock photos. Keep taking and sending in your Gelbvieh and Balancer photos!

Here are a few tips to remember: cover photos are best shot vertically, pay special attention to shadows and backgrounds, play around with different angles and scenery to make the photos more interesting, submit photos as a high resolution image.

EDITOR: Jennifer Scharpe E-mail: jennifers@gelbvieh.org PRODUCTION: Katie Danneman E-mail: katied@gelbvieh.org

“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

6 8 8 12 24 26 42 42 44 44

Al Knapp

President’s Message president’s message

The Importance of Data in Selecting the Perfect Sire For those who have spring calving herds, it’s high time to be thinking about the next breeding season. Whether you use natural service or A.I., the bull you choose is 50 percent of the genetic potential of your next calf crop. What kind of bull are you looking for this year? Red, black, homo black, polled, homo polled, calving ease, weaning performance, yearling performance, age of puberty, carcass traits, ADG, efficiency, and I am sure I missed something else that you are considering. The point of all this is DATA. There is a tremendous amount of data available on every registered Gelbvieh purebred and Balancer bull.

When it comes to looking at calving ease and birth weight, EPDs are a far more accurate prediction of calf weight than the actual birth weight of the bull. There are many things that influence the actual birth weight of a calf.

Many of them are environmental and have absolutely nothing to do with genetics.

Depending on your operation, weaning and/or yearling performance is important.

These two EPDs predict the growth potential of the resulting calf. I don’t care who you are or what market you’re in, pounds pay.

More pounds equals more dollars, it’s pretty simple. If you market on a grid, carcass trait EPDs become very important. Although the choice/select spread has shrunk, as the overall economy comes back I think it will improve.

So rib eye area, tenderness and marbling become valuable traits to consider.

Efficiency is said to be the name of the game going forward. For a cow to be efficient she needs stayability. She needs to breed, carry a calf, have that calf unassisted and raise that calf to be at least 50 percent of her body weight and do it each and every year, year in year out, while maintaining her own body condition. Now we know that cow size matters and smaller cows are considered the most efficient but this also is dependent on environment and available resources.

What about bull efficiency? Well it certainly helps if he breeds cows. I have had new customers come to me that have bought another breed and the bull did not breed cows.

What a train wreck. For the price of a breeding soundness exam, a great deal of anguish could | April 2010

have been avoided. I don’t know who was to blame, the buyer or the seller. Someone should have had the bull checked out.

What other efficiency issues are there?

Structure is always important. If a bull can’t get around because of feet and leg problems, he won’t be able to breed as many cows or he won’t be able to do it for several years. How about temperament? Again we have had several customers switch to Whether you use Gelbvieh bulls due to the docile nature natural service or of the Gelbvieh A.I., the bull you breed.

With the cost of choose is 50 inputs continually rising and the percent of the recent market, genetic potential feed efficiency is of your next calf an area that the industry is starting crop. What kind to take active notice, particularly of bull are you RFI (residual feed looking for intake). The AGA this year? is developing a research project for 2010 that will test bulls on RFI. We have at least two Gelbvieh breeders that have installed systems and facilities to measure RFI who are willing to share their data. Together we can amass sufficient data to develop a meaningful EPD for RFI. With all the data and traits to consider, find the bull that’s right for you. If you can find the perfect bull, and if you can afford him, you better buy him, because you can’t afford not to use him. Perhaps you can at least buy some units of semen on that perfect bull. Using A.I. sires is the quickest and least expensive way to vastly improve your herd genetics.

Remember the definition of insanity is doing the same thing you did last year and expecting different results.

May you find all your calves, Al Al Knapp is the American Gelbvieh Association President. He owns and operates Triple K Gelbvieh in Bonner Springs, Kansas, with his wife, Mary. He can be reached at knappa@swbell.net.

AGA Executive Committee President Al Knapp 913/219-6613 (O) 18291 158th St. Bonner Springs, KS 66012 Vice President Jim Beastrom 605/224-5789 (H) 20453 Cendak Rd. • Pierre, SD 57501-6315 Secretary Randy Gallaway 405/649-2410 (H) 15182 N. Midwest Blvd. • Mulhall, OK 73063 Treasurer Mark Goes 402/766-3627 (H) S E Community College, 39414 SW 75th Rd, Odell, NE 68415 Legal Counsel E. Edd Pritchett 405/375-5516 (O) 114 N. Main St. • Ste. 101 Kingfisher, OK 73750

AGA Directors Rob Arnold 701/624-2051 (H) 6700 Cty Rd 19 S • Minot, ND 58701 Brian Dunn 620/549-6516 (H) 707 N Main • St. John, KS 67576 Ken Flikkema 406/586-6207 (H &O) 2 Mint Trail • Bozeman, MT 59718 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 john.e.huston@gmail.com Bob Prosser 928/289-2619 (O) PO Box 190 • Winslow, AZ 86047 Brian Schafer 888/226-9210 (O) 37740 240th Ave. • Goodhue, MN 55027 Gary Tilghman 270/678-5695 (H) 690 Lick Branch Rd • Glasgow, KY 42141-9409 Dan Warner 308/962-6511 (H) 71628 Rd 425 • Beaver City, NE 68926 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.

John Thomas Johns

Guest Editorial guest editorial Improving Cow Reproduction with Management of Body Condition Score John Thomas Johns, Extension Professor Emeritus, Beef Cattle Nutrition, University of Kentucky

It has been a wetter and colder winter than normal over much of the country. Due to these environmental factors, maintenance energy requirements for the beef cow have been greater than in a normal winter.

In many areas of the country last year hay harvest was complicated by cool wet weather throughout much of the growing season resulting in a harvest that was more mature and containing fewer usable nutrients for the cow. The combination of increased need and lower quality stored forage can only mean a loss of body condition for the cow.

Cow body condition score (BCS) is a visual estimate of the cow’s body fat content.

Beef cows are scored on a 1 to 9 scale with 1 being emaciated and 9 being obese. Body condition score at calving has been proven to be directly related to beef cow reproductive efficiency. Cows that calve in a BCS of 5 or greater will return to estrus sooner and will be more likely to conceive during the breeding season than cows in a thinner BCS. Many producers reading this are likely thinking so what! A lot of producers are well into calving season or may have finished by this time depending on where they are in the country. The good news is that it is not too late to do something to help that thin cow. Research has shown that feeding a high energy ration after calving to thin cows will cause an increase in cyclic

activity. Pregnancy rates may not improve as much as cyclic activity however, unless the breeding season is extended or some cows moved to a fall calving herd.

The best management is to always calve the cow in adequate BCS and feed to maintain that BCS for a while after calving. The best way to insure that cows calve in good body condition is to sort thin cows from cows in adequate body condition during the second trimester of pregnancy. Include borderline adequate cows with the thin cows. Cows will need appropriate fat reserves for the increase in production and stress encountered during calving and lactation to insure proper rebreeding. Research has shown that cows calving in adequate BCS and fed to maintain that score returned to estrus much more quickly than cows that were allowed to lose condition after calving. Recommendations for cows in various BCS are shown in the following table. The weight of the fetus is included in body weight gain.

John Thomas Johns worked as a Beef Cattle Extension Specialist for 35 years.

He is currently working as a consultant and is doing some international work for USDA. He can be reached by email at j.johns@insightbb.com.

A body condition technical bulletin is available at www.gelbvieh.org under the Resources section.

Body Condition Score During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy and Desired BCS at Calving Current BCS

Desired BCS at Calving

Recommendation

3

5

Gain 200 to 300 lbs, not economical

4

5

Gain 150 to 200 lbs, feed must be inexpensive to be economical

5

5

Gain the weight of the fetus

6

5–6

Gain the weight of the fetus

7

5–7

No weight gain required

8

5–7

May lose 50 to 100 lbs but not during late pregnancy

| April 2010

303/465-2333 Main Phone 303/465-2339 fax Director of Administration Dianne Coffman (ex. 479) diannec@gelbvieh.org Director of Breed Improvement Susan Willmon (ex. 484) susanw@gelbvieh.org Director of Breed Promotion Frank Padilla (ex. 480) frankp@gelbvieh.org Director of Communications Jennifer Scharpe (ex. 485) jennifers@gelbvieh.org Director of Member Services Dana Stewart (ex. 488) danas@gelbvieh.org Production Manager/Graphic Artist Katie Danneman (ex. 486) katied@gelbvieh.org Area Coordinator Commercial Marketing Don Danell dond@gelbvieh.org Area Coordinator Commercial Marketing Steve Peddicord stevep@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

Bits ‘N Pieces bits ‘n pieces Registration Updates

 The International Year Code for 2010

born calves is “X”. Make sure you use the letter “X” in the tattoo.

 The 2010 Herd Assessments were mailed to all adult and junior members in midJanuary. Herd assessments must be paid to keep your memberships active – this goes for adults and juniors. Assessments are due back in the AGA office by April 15. Late fees apply if not back in the office by April 15. If you haven’t received your herd assessment, contact the AGA office. Also, be sure to fill out the member survey included in the herd assessments packet and send it back to the AGA office.

of the January Gelbvieh World. The GPA application can be downloaded from www. gelbvieh.org or contact the AGA to have an application sent to you.

Industry News

 People in agriculture are speaking out

 The South Carolina Junior Gelbvieh

and are having success spreading the truth about anti-animal agriculture activist groups. The new website, www.humanewatch.org, was recently started with the objective of “Keeping a watchful eye on the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)”. Visit the website or follow HumaneWatch on Facebook to learn the truth about HSUS and to take part in the grassroots movement that has already caused several corporate sponsors to withdraw funding from HSUS.

Association is selling newly designed Tshirts. The T-shirt is navy with a white logo and is available in a style for both men and ladies. Show your South Carolina pride and help support SCJGA by purchasing one of these T-shirts for $10.00.

Please contact Cindy Durham to order yours today. Cindy can be reached at (864) 9474867 or hiddensprings-farm@bellsouth.net.

 U of I offers new course in revised

 In order for data to be included in the

animal sciences curriculum - Next spring, University of Illinois animal science freshmen will learn about fundamental societal issues that are impacting the care and use of production animals in a new course titled “Contemporary Animal Issues.”

This class is one example of the changes that will occur in a major revision of the U of I animal science curriculum being initiated in 2010–2011. For the first time in more than 50 years, the department will implement a revised curriculum, with the goal of guiding a top-ranked program into a new era of animal science education where the focus is not only on courses, but also on how faculty create learning opportunities for students.

next EPD run registration data, weights, measurements, etc. must be in the AGA office by May 1.

AGA News and Notes

 The Gelbvieh Performance Advantage

Program (GPA), unique within the seedstock industry, provides a new means for Gelbvieh producers both small and large to promote the performance aspects of their program. Annual applications are due April 15th. More information on the program can be found on page 12

During the 2010 AGA Convention and National Western Stock Show, Katie Sullivan of Robertsdale, Ala. (left) and Carrie Tilghman of Glasgow, Ky. (right) built a Gelbvieh snowman.

As Katie lives near the Gulf, this was her first time to build a snowman and play in the snow.

American Gelbvieh Association Area Coordinators—Commercial Marketing “A commercial producer in Montana called looking for 100 Gelbvieh influenced heifers and by working with breeders we were able to fill this order.”

l

nel Don Da

Western Region dond@gelbvieh.org (406) 538-5622 (O) 12 | April 2010

dicord

Steve Ped

“I have received several calls from producers looking for Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls and am making contacts with members to locate the bulls these producers are looking for.”

Eastern Region stevep@gelbvieh.org (606) 387-8579 (O) • (606) 688-4492 (C)

Own a piece of

A Last Chance to

Gelbvieh

History

Online Auction Scheduled to Sell Remaining Sculptures

By Dana Stewart, Director of Member Services

By now, you all know about the hat that saved the herdbook when it was passed during a board meeting in the early years of the American Gelbvieh Association. The hat was filled with money in the form of prepaid registrations. Those funds kept the association going and no doubt contributed to the current success of the association.

To commemorate that time in history and raise funds for the American Gelbvieh Foundation, a bronze sculpture depicting the hat was commissioned. In January, the first six sculptures in the limited series of 50 were auctioned along with two artist’s proofs.

The remaining sculptures will be available for purchase through online auction. The auction will work by simply bidding on the series number that you’d like to add to your collection. For instance, if you’d like to own number ten in the series, bid on series number ten in the auction. Can’t decide which one to bid on? Consider significant numbers in your operation or personal life. What’s the number of your favorite cow? Perhaps your AGA member number? The date of your wedding anniversary or birthday?

About the Auction The auction will open for bidding on April 16 and bidding will close on May 21. To access the auction, go to www.gelbvieh.org and look for the link starting on April 16 that will take you to the auction’s website.

The auction is set up to be very user friendly.

Bidders must be at least 18 years of age and will only need to set up an account with their name and contact information where billing should be directed after the auction closes. Then, select a user name and password to begin bidding.

When you place a bid on an online auction item, you are entering into a legally binding contract to purchase the item if you are the winning bidder. After you bid on an item, you will be notified by email immediately if you’ve been outbid by another bidder.

If you are the winning bidder, you agree to 14 | April 2010

pay the seller the full amount of your winning bid plus any applicable sales or user tax on your purchase, as well as any applicable shipping or delivery charges.

Following the auction, buyers will be notified of their winning bid, again through email. Payment may then be made by credit card online, through invoice, or check.

Why You Should Bid Purchasing a sculpture through the auction directly supports the American Gelbvieh Foundation. The American Gelbvieh Foundation is dedicated to improving Gelbvieh genetics, merit advancement, and strengthening the breed influence within the changing beef industry. This is accomplished through breed promotion, growing the demand for Gelbvieh

The Story of

What: Online auction to sell series numbers 8-50 of “The Legacy of Giving” Hat Sculpture When: April 16-May 21 Where: Online; follow the links starting April 16 at www.gelbvieh.org Why: To preserve the future of the American Gelbvieh Association and American Gelbvieh Foundation.

Questions: Contact Dana Stewart, Foundation Liaison, at 303-465-2333 or danas@gelbvieh.org genetics, member education, research and junior support.

The American Gelbvieh Foundation has set a fundraising goal of one million dollars. After the goal has been achieved, only annual accrued interest will be dispersed to fund projects. One such project will be the annual AGJA Junior Classic. Other projects may include research and education items, such as the development of additional EPDs or databases.

Show your Gelbvieh pride and invest in the future of the breed by going online for a unique opportunity to own a piece of Gelbvieh history.

“The Legacy of Giving”

It could be said that Bud Beastrom’s cowboy hat saved the American Gelbvieh Association’s herdbook. When AGA President Johnny Green took the hat from Bud’s head and passed it around during a fateful board meeting in 1979, board members filled the hat with enough money in prepaid registrations to keep the association going.

Mr. Johnny Green was president during the board meeting held in South Dakota when the hat was passed. Green recalled, “The cattle market had bottomed out, the promoters (large scale A.I. operators) left, we had no money for promotion, no executive director and we had to save the herdbook. In fact, we were broke.”

That’s when Johnny decided to grab the hat from Bud Beastrom’s head and pass it around the board table. “We passed it once and it wasn’t enough, so we passed it again,” he said.

The funds collected totaled $36,500 and covered expenses of the association until registrations began to increase, sealing a successful fate of the American Gelbvieh Association.

To honor that occasion and to symbolically pass the hat again, the American Gelbvieh Foundation commissioned a bronze sculpture in 2009 of the original hat of Bud Beastrom’s that is now encased in the AGA board room. The sculpture, “The Legacy of Giving,” is limited to a series of 50 reproductions of the artist’s original proof.

About the Artist Artist Stephen LeBlanc was commissioned to create the limited edition sculpture to depict the passing of Bud Beastrom’s Stetson. With a tremendous passion for wildlife and the great outdoors, it is no wonder LeBlanc is one of the most acclaimed and accomplished artists of our time. LeBlanc is a nationally recognized sculptor with more than 25 years experience. An avid outdoorsman, he specializes in realistic wildlife. His greatest pleasure is sculpting animals and events he has witnessed in nature. He has won numerous “People’s Choice” and “Best of Show” awards and has been featured in such magazines as Art Review, Sculpture Forum, and Vision Magazine.

16 | April 2010

Sales sales Taubenheim Gelbvieh 20th Annual Production Sale February 1, 2010 • Amherst, Neb. Auctioneer: Tracy Harl, Hastings, Neb. Report by: Jeannette Taubenheim

88

Bulls

29

Open Heifers

$3,010 $960

Taubenheim Gelbvieh held their 20th annual production sale on a cold but sunny day the first of February.

Topping the sale at $6,500 was TAU Mr. New Design 12W, a January homozygous black, double polled son of Bon View New Design 1407. The bull posted an adjusted 205-day weight of 756 pounds and was a member of the 2010 NWSS Champion Pen of Three Balancer Bulls. Rocking B Ranch and Goosecreek Gelbvieh of North Carolina purchased this bull.

Pride and Joy Gelbvieh purchased TAU Final Answer 37W for $5,500. This January homozygous black, double polled son of SAV Final Answer 0035 had an adjusted 205-day weight of 799 pounds and was also part of Taubenheim’s pen of bulls. Pride and Joy Gelbvieh also purchased TAU Mr. Final Answer 35W, another homozygous black, double polled SAV Final Answer son for $4,600.

TAU Grid Topper Cowboy 147W, a homozygous black, double polled son of TAU Mr Grid Topper 43T sold to Lyn Estergard for $5,250.

Another member of the Denver pen, this bull had an adjusted 205-day weight of 763 pounds. Estergard also bought TAU Mr. Final Answer 6W, a homozygous black, double polled son of SAV Final Answer 0035 with an adjusted 205-day weight of 824 pounds, for $5,000.

Swanson Cattle was the winning bidder at $4,800 on TAU Mr Gridiron Cowboy 137W, a Denver pen bull who is double black, double polled and sired by TC Gridiron 258.

Overmiller Gelbvieh purchased five open females for $975. Raile Gelbvieh also picked up a couple of open females for $925 and $850.

The high selling lot in the sale was Lot 23, DCHD Golden Buckle Gelv 023W, a March 2009 double polled, purebred red bull sired by DCH Hille T504 Tremor ET. Golden Buckle Gelbvieh, Medina, N.D., consigned this bull which was purchased by Rafter R Gelbvieh, Adel, Iowa, for $9,500 for full possession and one-half semen interest.

Golden Buckle Gelbvieh also consigned Lot 20, DCHD Golden Buckle Gelv 030W, the second high selling bull on the sale at $6,600. Lone Oak Gelbvieh, Mechanicsville, Iowa purchased this March 2009 double polled, purebred red bull sired

by DCH Hille R126 Roy. Jumping Cow Gelbvieh, Ramah, Colo, purchased Lot 20, VVGR Mr 949W Rocky, for $6,000. This consignment by Vander Vorst Gelbviehs, Pollock, S.D., is a double black, double polled, Balancer bull, sired by JCB Lacy TV Beech Jet R052 ET. The top selling bred heifer was Lot 46, a consignment from Kal Kota Gelbvieh, Steele, N.D. KKC Ms Flash 80U is a March 2008, double polled, purebred black heifer sired by KKC Austin 41P. This heifer sold safe in calf to a Red Angus bull, Kuhns Bailey King 7020.

John Wohl, Baldwin, N.D., was the winning bidder at $3,500.

Lot 37, PHG Daffodil U13, consigned by Prairie Hills Gelbvieh, Gladstone, N.D. sold to Chad Vander Vorst, Pollock, S.D. for $3,000. This March 2008 bred heifer was sired by ELK CK Formula 957S and is a double polled, red purebred female.

Gustin’s Diamond D Gelbvieh, Mandan, N.D., consigned the high selling open heifer. Lot 57, DDGR Tequila 66W, is a March 2009 double polled, black purebred daughter of HYEK Black Impact 3960N. Miller Gelbvieh, Glen Ullin, N.D., purchased this heifer for $2,300.

26th Annual North Dakota Gelbvieh Association’s Golden Rule Sale January 29, 2010 Kist Livestock, Mandan, N.D. Auctioneer: Ron Cunningham Sale Manager: Mitchell Marketing Service Report by: Jennifer Scharpe, AGA

28

Bulls

18

Bred Heifers

$2,131

6

Open Heifers

$1,493

Gross

$3,032

$132,200

The North Dakota Gelbvieh Association’s 26th Annual Golden Rule sale was held on January 29, at Kist Livestock in Mandan, N.D. Even though the sale had been postponed four days due to winter weather, the bidding was strong as the 52 lots by 19 consigners sold into seven states.

Gelbvieh World | 17

Sales sales Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Balancer/Gelbvieh Show & Sale February 19, 2010 • Kearney, Neb. Auctioneer: Tracy Harl, Hastings, Neb. Report by: Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic 12

Bulls

5

Open Heifers

$1,440

17

Total Lots

$1,882

February 2, 2010 • Arapahoe, Neb. Auctioneer: Tracy Harl Sale Manager: Mitchell Marketing Service Report by: Jennifer Scharpe, AGA 14 Gelbvieh Bulls

$2,067

The 2010 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Balancer/Gelbvieh Show and Sale was held February 19 in Kearney, Neb. There were 12 bulls and 5 females participating in this year’s sale. The judge was Twig Marston of Norfolk, Neb. The auctioneer was Tracy Harl of Hastings, Neb. Taking home Champion Balancer/ Gelbvieh Bull honors was Lot 12, AHL Redwood 28W ET consigned by LeDoux Ranch of Agenda, Kan. This red Balancer bull is a February 2009 son of HXC LCC Gravity B252L and sold to Baack Farms of Staplehurst, Neb. for $3,100.

Reserve Champion Balancer/ Gelbvieh Bull went to Lot 14, DLW Wardon 24W of 408, consigned by Warner Beef Genetics of Beaver City, Neb. This black purebred bull is a March 2009 son of Hyek Black Impact 3960N and sold to Hunt Farms of Hastings, Neb. for $4,250, making him the high selling Balancer/Gelbvieh Bull.

Champion Balancer/Gelbvieh Heifer was Lot 15, AHL Sunset 101U consigned by LeDoux Ranch of Agenda, Kan. This black Balancer heifer is a December 2008 daughter of S A F Connection and sold to M & P Gelbvieh of Odell, Neb. for $2,000, making her the high selling Balancer/ Gelbvieh Heifer.

The Reserve Champion Balancer/ Gelbvieh Heifer was Lot 20, DLW Ms Red Ink 327W consigned by Warner Beef Genetics of Beaver City, Neb. This red Balancer heifer is an April 2009 daughter of CTR Gridline 5699R and sold to Steve Witte of Cambridge, Neb. for $1,950.

18 | April 2010

Warner Beef Genetics Better Bulls at a Better Buy Bull and Female Sale

$3,770

46 Balancer Bulls

$2,770

12 Open Heifers

$1,356

15 Bred Heifers

$1,970

21 Commercial Bred Heifers

$1,425

The Warner Beef Genetics Better Bulls at a Better Buy sale was held on February 2 at the Warner Sale Facility in Arapahoe, Neb. A total of 60 yearling bulls, 27 open and bred females, and 21 commercial bred heifers were sold.

Topping the sale was Lot 1, DLW Windsor 36W ET, a February 2009 double black, double polled purebred Gelbvieh bull sired by HYEK Black Impact 3960N. Wandering Meadows Farm of Lamberton, Minn. was the winning bidder at $7,200.

Thorstenson Gelbvieh & Angus 29th Annual Production Sale Saturday, March 6, 2010 • Mobridge, S.D. Report by: Vaughn Thorstenson

12

Gelbvieh

$2,417

112

Balancers

$2,577

30

Angus

$2,863

154

Bulls

$2,620

With feed efficiency data calculated through a newly installed GrowSafe feed intake system available, customers at the Thorstenson Gelbvieh and Angus 29th Annual Production Sale had one more selection tool to use in making their bull buying decisions on Saturday, March 10, 2010 in Mobridge.

Topping all lots in the Gelbvieh, Angus and Balancer offering was Lot 38, Lazy TV Scout IMF, a homozygous black yearling Balancer sired by DVA Scout 553. Boasting an RFI value of -.90, he brought a bid of $28,500 from a group of registered breeders. Claiming possession and one-fourth semen interest was Rippe Gelbvieh, Hubbell, Neb. Semen packages were sold to Leachman Cattle Company, Wellington, Colo., Cedar Top Ranch, Stapleton, Neb., Bar Arrow Cattle Company, Phillipsburg,

The top selling Balancer bull was Lot 20, DLW Wichita 12W of 7720. This bull sold for $5,300 to Brown’s Gelbvieh Ranch of Bismarck, N.D. He is a February 2009 double black, double polled son of CTR Good Night 4743P. Michael Bose of Beaver City, Neb., purchased the high selling open heifer for $3,400. Lot 93, DLW Ms Front Page 957W of 788, is a February 2009 double black, double polled Balancer heifer sired by CTR Front Page 508.

Lot 72, DLW Miss RT 338 ET, was the top selling bred heifer. This January 2006 double black, double polled Balancer female was sired

by Hyline Right Time 338 and sold safe for a March calf by CTR Good Night. Blackhawk Cattle Company, Oregon, Ill., and M & P Gelbvieh, Odell, Neb., teamed up to purchase this heifer for $5,000.

A second high selling bred heifer was Lot 74, DLW Pure Benefit 803U, a February 2008 double black, double polled purebred Gelbvieh heifer sired

by XXB Big N’ Rich 911P ET. She sold A.I. bred to Post Rock Granite 200P2 and pasture exposed to CTR Front Page 508. This female was purchased for $4,700 by Cedar Top Ranch, Stapleton, Neb., and Boehler Gelbvieh, Orleans, Neb.

Kan., Burbank Cattle Company, St. Catharine, Mo., Jon Beastrom, Pierre, S.D., and Lensegrav Gelbvieh, Meadow, S.D. Ranking in the top 30 percent of the offering for feed efficiency, Lot 38 also posted a 114 WW ratio, 116 IMF ratio and an 82-lb. birth weight.

Next in line was Lot 173, Lazy TV Final Answer W800. A yearling Angus bull sired by SAV Final Answer 0035 and featuring an RFI value of -1.84 and the best feed conversion ratio of the entire offering, he was purchased by Rich Nemath, Ludell, Kan., for $9,750. Lot 173 also ratioed 127 for WW, 115 for ADG and 116 for YW. Marvin Ternes, Raleigh, N.D., took home Lot 138, Lazy TV Class W023, with a final bid of $6,750. Sired by Lazy TV Second Class R87, he is a yearling red Balancer featuring EPDs in the top 3% of the breed.

Eagle Pass Ranch, Highmore, S.D., purchased a black purebred Gelbvieh herdsire at $5,200. With a -3.85 RFI value, Lot 1 is sired by JBOB 254D. Lazy TV Tenderloin W030 sold to Jon Beastrom, Pierre, S.D., for $5,000. A homozygous black Balancer yearling, he is sired by EGL Tenderloin N407 and had a -1.36 RFI value.

Volume buyers included Heim Brothers, Edgely, N.D., Arnold’s Arrow 5 Ranch, McIntosh, S.D., and Al Two Bears, Cannon Ball, N.D.

Producer Profile

Feature feature

A Kentucky Cattleman Making the Most of the Gelbvieh Cross

By Steve Peddicord, AGA Area Coordinator

I

n the mid 1800’s in Bavaria Germany, a systematic purebreeding of red-yellow Franconian cattle created the start of the Gelbvieh breed. This muscular, red-yellow breed became very popular as draft and slaughter cattle.

There is an old saying, “What goes around comes around.” Moving ahead about 150 years, this saying could apply in a special sense to the Gelbvieh commercial herd of Pat Gillespie in Scottsville,

Kentucky.

Pat Gillespie, Scottsville, Ky., breeds his Charolais cross cows to red Gelbvieh bulls creating red-yellow calves that excel both maternally and in weight gain.

20 | April 2010

In 2005, Pat began a systematic breeding plan of using red Gelbvieh bulls on many of his Charolais cross cows. The result was a top notch, redyellow calf. This cross created a female replacement with loads of maternal plusses and a street calf with exceptional weight gains.

“There is no question the Charolais breed can give you heavy feeder calves. But the maternal side of the Charolais lacks some things that Gelbvieh is really good at,” says Pat. Such as? “Well, calving ease and disposition would be the two main things. The nature of the calves from the day they are born is so much better with the Gelbvieh influence. The yellow cow, as I call it, is a really good commercial replacement,” adds Pat. Gillespie Farms today consists of about 300 cows. Their bull battery is a solid group of nine purebred Gelbvieh bulls, both red and black. The cow base is primarily Charolais or Angus influenced. However, it’s not uncommon to spot another breed cross sprinkled in the mix of cows.

“We’ve got a few Beefmaster, Brahman, and even some Pinzguer cows in the herd. The Beefmasters are actually some of my favorite crosses with the red Gelbvieh. The hybrid vigor really shows in those calves,” says Pat. The land for Gillespie Farms has been in the family since the early

1900’s. Over the years, Pat has gradually added some smaller tracts that join the home place.

“My wife, Marilyn, and I own 400 acres. We lease an additional 1,100 acres of mostly pasture and hay ground all in Allen County.”

A 90-day calving season in the spring is the foundation for the herd.

“We begin calving in early February and finish up by the first of May. All calves are tagged and weighed at birth. The cows and calves are first worked in May. We vaccinate, deworm, and castrate the bull calves. In early October we wean the calves and begin their preconditioning. All cows are then pregnancy checked. Any open cows get shipped out. It takes us about 1,200 rolls of hay to winter our cows so we can’t afford to feed any opens,” says Pat. Feeder calves are preconditioned and fed to reach 700-750 pounds. Pat uses a vertical mixer to grind his hay which is then mixed with supplements to make a 13 percent protein ration. Calves are sold as yearlings in load lots right off the farm.

“This year we have 274 calves on feed and they are all 50 percent Balancers,” Pat proudly notes. “The females are especially good.”

Les Williams is the herdsman for Gillespie farms. Les handles much of the daily operations including calving, feeding, hay harvesting, and equipment maintenance.

“Les has been very valuable to our operation” says Pat. “He can repair just about anything that breaks. He’s good with the cows, and Les really appreciates the Gelbvieh breed. He also has a herd of 30 commercial cows and he uses red Gelbvieh bulls on them.”

This year Pat is considering consigning a group of Gelbvieh influenced bred heifers to the Maternal Edge sale held in November

A sample of the purebred Gelbvieh bull battery Pat Gillespie purchased to breed to his open heifers. Pat plans to consign several bred females to the Maternal Edge Female Sale next November.

in Cross Plains, Tennessee.

“I’ll probably put together about 30 of the best Balancer’s and then work with Steve Peddicord (AGA Area Coordinator) to determine which calving ease bulls to use. We’ll try to stay close to the 50-50 mix. Then, the one’s that aren’t selected for Maternal Edge, we’ll keep here for herd replacements,” says Pat. There will always be a home for good yellow cows in Scottsville, Kentucky on the Pat Gillespie farm. It almost resembles a little piece of Bavaria, Germany coming back around again!

Gelbvieh World | 21

Dana Stewart

HerdTrack Tips herdtrack tips Resolving Installation Issues with HerdTrack and Windows Vista or Windows 7 If you’ve recently upgraded your PC, chances are you’ve upgraded your operating system from Windows XP or earlier to Windows 7 or Windows Vista. Both Vista and 7 are compatible with HerdTrack. However, there is a work-around required sometimes during installation. Another work-around is required when saving export and back up files. Please see “Saving Files with Microsoft Vista” online under the support section of the HerdTrack page at www.gelbvieh.org for additional information.

At right are a few steps to get you on your way to utilizing HerdTrack on your new operating system. If after the software has finished installing you are unable to open HerdTrack and receive an error, please see the following steps Correcting the Database Connection Error 1. Browse to your computer’s C Drive. Look for a set of folders called “PROGRAM FILES (x86)” and “PROGRAM FILES.” In the next few steps, you’ll move files from the Program Files (x86) folder to the Program Files folder.

2. Open the “PROGRAM FILES (x86)” by double clicking it.

Next, look for a folder named “HERDTRACK.” Select the

Steps for Succe

ss with HerdTra ck on your new PC :

1. Insert your He rdTrack software CD into your new (Note, essentially PC. there are two co mponents to run HerdTrack. The fir st is the software CD and the seco is your database nd . To access your database on your PC after you insta new ll the software, yo u’ll need a curre HerdTrack backup nt file to restore or a new initial herd import from the AGA.) 2. Your software installation will au to launch. Follow installation instruc the tions on-screen.

If you are given a choice to insta ll the software as an older version of Windows (i.e.

Window XP), DO NO T choose this option. Choose to install for your cu rrent operating system (i.e. Windo ws Vista or Windo ws 7).

3. After the softw are has finished installing, you m able to successfu ay be lly open HerdTra ck. If at this poin HerdTrack launche t s without any pr oblems, then you may proceed to restore your back up or install your herd import. If yo u are unable to op en HerdTrack an receive an error, d please see the fo llowing steps un “Correcting the Da der tabase Connectio n Error”.

“HERDTRACK” folder by clicking it only once. Then use the keyboard short cut CTRL X (holding the Ctrl key down while also pressing the X key) or right click the folder and choose “CUT” from the menu options.

3. Now navigate back to your C Drive and look for the other folder, “PROGRAM FILES.” Open it by double clicking it. You’ll probably see a folder also named “HERDTRACK. ” You’re going to replace that folder with the one you just cut. To do this, (make sure you don’t have any folders selected already) use the keyboard shortcut CTRL V (holding the Ctrl key down while also pressing the V key) or right click the folder and choose “PASTE” from the menu options.

HerdTrack should now launch when you open it and you can begin inserting your data to send to AGA! If you’re still experiencing problems, contact Dana Stewart at the AGA office for remote help.

Dana Stewart is AGA Director of Member Services and can be contacted at danas@gelbvieh.org or by phone at 303-465-2333.

22 | April 2010

Keaton Kendrick

Junior Voice junior voice

2009-2010 AGJA Board of Directors

Pay Attention to AGJA Rules As spring rolls around many of us are starting to think about the upcoming spring jackpot shows as well as working with calves to take to Regional shows and Jr. Nationals.

One thing to keep in mind when selecting calves to show is the AGJA rules. Many of the same rules apply from year to year.

First off, the bred and owned rule stands for all Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls that are showing in an AGJA sanctioned show. This means that you, the person who is showing, must be both the owner and the breeder stated on the registration paper. In addition to the bred and owned bull shows, there is also a bred and owned female division.

However, unlike the bull show, not all females have to be solely bred and owned.

Another thing to check is tattoos. Make

sure that the tattoo is the calf’s ear matches the registration paper. This will make it easier on you and the Junior Board members who will be checking tattoos at the Junior Nationals.

There are a couple of new rules that you need to be aware of for this year. One is a gray color rule which prohibits the showing of breeding animals that express the diluter gene with a gray hide in an AGJA sanctioned show. Also, the AGJA will be DNA testing all of the grand and reserve champion animals to verify parentage, except for the market steer show.

I hope that you have a good spring and have some good calf prospects picked out for the summer. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Regional show and at Junior Nationals in Texas this summer.

New Video Contest Established The AGJA Board of Directors recently voted to create a video contest as a part of junior classic. The contest is meant to challenge AGJA members to embrace new technology that will enhance their own programs while providing AGA an opportunity to utilize these videos to share with Gelbvieh breeders.

All videos must: 1. Not exceed time limits. Junior age division videos should be 30 seconds.

Intermediate age division videos should be one minute and senior age division videos should be 2 minutes long.

2. Mention “Gelbvieh or Balancer” in your video. Junior videos must be promotional.

Intermediate and Senior videos may be promotional, informative, or how-to (such as how to take measurements, how to properly tattoo, how to give shots, etc.)

3. Must be submitted in avi, mov, mpg or wmv format.

4. Video files may not exceed 7MB

Videos will be judged on the following criteria: 1. Creativity 2. Message clarity and relevance 3. Promotional effectiveness or educational value 4. Overall impact Each submission must be original and created entirely by entrant. Submissions may include materials which are in the public domain or for which you have obtained the prior written permission or clearance of the owner. Submissions must not incorporate or include anything that violates any law or the copyright, trademark, publicity right, privacy right or any other right of any third party.

Video contest participants will receive two points towards the all-around competition for video contest entries.

Gelbvieh World Special Photo Category Details Gelbvieh World has announced the topic of the 2010 Special Photo Category in conjunction with the AGJA Photo Contest. The special category is “Motherhood.” Photos should capture Gelbvieh or Balancer cows in action as productive dams. Use your imagination and remember that all Special Category photos will need to be labeled as such at time of entry.

24 | April 2010

Kyle Kendrick, President (2010) 6590 County Rd. 249, Palmyra, MO 63461 P: 573-735-4243 • C: 573-822-2952 Email: kjkendr@students.neoam.edu Andrew Lindgren, Vice President (2011) 1565 US Hwy. 136, Atlanta, IL 67123 P: 309-392-2054 • C: 309-825-0089 Email: Andrew.lindgren@olympia.org Katie Sullivan, Vice President of Leadership (2010) 34850 Magnolia Farm Rd., Robertsdale, AL 36567 P: 251-931-3068 Email: stargazer2cool@aol.com Keaton Kendrick, Secretary (2010) 6590 County Rd. 249, Palmyra, MO 63461 P: 573-735-4243 • C: 573-822-2951 Email: keatonk@students.neoam.edu Justin Taubeneheim, Treasurer (2010) 19035 Grand Island Rd., Amherst, NE 68812 P: 308-826-5185 Email: mandrtaub@aol.com Seth Arp (2011) N551 Ramsey Rd., Arlington, WI 53911 P: 608-712-1186 Email: Setharp0922@hotmail.com Dustin Aherin (2011) 309 Limestone Rd., Phillipsburg, KS 67661 P: 785-302-1253 Email: daherin@hughes.net Janelle Hayek (2011) 2814 Hwy. E43, Clutier, IA 52217 P: 319-330-1647 Email: jjhayek@iastate.edu Britney Volek (2011) 19920 339th Ave., Highmore, SD 57345 P: 605-870-1008 Email: Britney.Volek@jack.sdstate.edu Nikki Hojer, Ex-Officio H: 43968 208th St., Lake Preston, SD 57249 P: 605-860-8723 Email: nlhojer@jacks.sdstate.edu Adult Advisors: Mike & Toni Shrewsbury 1980 SE Wilson Road Lathrop, MO 64465 816-528-3644 mshrews@northmo.net Al & Mary Knapp 18291 158th Street Bonner Springs, KS 66012 913-724-4105 knappa@swbell.net Staff Advisor: Dana Stewart 303-465-2333 danas@gelbvieh.org

Kansas Gelbvieh Junior Association Offers Herd Improvement Package The Kansas Gelbvieh Junior Association is offering the chance to win a $5,000 value Herd Improvement Package to raise funds for the 2011 American Gelbvieh Junior Association Junior Classic to be held in Kearney, Neb. The package includes: • A.I. class for two donated by SEK Genetics in Galesburg, Kan. This is a two day course with instructor Dr. Don Coover.

Classes are offered in the spring and fall.

• Complete embryo flush of your donor cow. Includes all feed, care and board of your animal for 30 days, all injections and freezing. You provide the semen and transportation. Donated by SEK Genetics.

Texas Junior Gelbvieh Association Seeking Meal Sponsors If you’ve ever been to a Junior Classic, the junior national event is a big undertaking which takes a lot of organization and preplanning. Along with providing the facilities and scheduling the activities, contests, and cattle show, the participants and their families are provided meals throughout the week.

As state associations and individual breeders make plans for the upcoming year, please know that the Texas Junior Gelbvieh Association would appreciate your consideration as a meal sponsor for the 2010 show.

Meal sponsorships that include TJGA planning the menu and

• A.I. kit including Cito Thaw, A.I. gun, sleeves, Cito cutter, gloves and lube.

Donated by Brian Beying and Andy LeDoux, Kansas ABS representatives.

preparing the meal are as follows: Breakfast $ 500.00

Junior Updates

Junior News junior news

Lunch $1,000.00 Dinner $1,500.00 However, anyone is by all means welcome to provide and be responsible for any meal you would choose to sponsor at their own budget.

Please let the TJGA know, by contacting TJGA President Ashley Skeels or Lone Star Planning Committee Chair Shannon Worrell at 325-258-4656 or sjworrell@ ctesc.net as soon as possible, if you would be interested in being a meal sponsor for the 2010 Lone Star Classic.

Chandler Ladner, Argonia, Kan., was the reserve champion intermediate showman at the 2010 Kansas State University Alpha Gamma RHO Block and Bridle Kick-Off Show held February 26-28.

• Choice of 20 units of semen from any Gelbvieh or Balancer sire on Cattlemen’s Connections website. Donated by Roger Gatz, Cattlemen’s Connection.

• Choice of any semen from ABS catalog – 10 units up to $35 per unit. Donated by ABS Global.

• Choice of any semen from Accelerated Genetics catalog – 20 units of any Accelerated Genetics owned sire. Donated

by Accelerated Genetics.

• Semen tank.

• Pregnancy testing from BioBryn Technologies for 20 head. Syringes and tubes provided.

• Igenity Profile for 5 animals donated

by Rick Pfortmiller, Kansas Igenity representative.

• CIDRs for 20 animals including applicator.

Donated by Pfizer, Inc.

Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100 and can be purchased from any Kansas Gelbvieh Junior member or contact Connie Tabor at 620-762-0275 or email at ctabor@wildblue. net to get your chance for this Herd Improvement Package. Drawing will be held July 5, 2010 at the AGJA junior national show in Texas.

AGJA Seeks Award Sponsors for 2010 Lone Star Classic Each year, AGA members from across the country sponsor awards for the annual Junior Classic. You may have noticed a sponsorship form with your herd assessments. Please complete that form and return to the AGA office to reserve your award sponsorship by April 15. Sponsorships are available for many contests as well as the show. Please see the form for a complete list of sponsorship opportunities. To download a form online, visit www.gelbvieh.org.

Clip and mail before April 15 to: American Gelbvieh Association, 10900 Dover St., Westminster, CO 80021

Award Sponsorship Coupon Clip-Out ___ I would like to sponsor a $100 Belt Buckle for a Gelbvieh Class Winner ___ I would like to sponsor a $100 Belt Buckle for a Balancer Class Winner ___ I would like to sponsor a $150 award for a Gelbvieh Division ___ I would like to sponsor a $150 award for a Balancer Division Name:_ ________________________________________________ AGA member #:_ ____________ _ Address:______________________________________City:_ _________ State/Zip:______________ ___ I have included my payment made to AGJA ___ Use my credit card on file ___ Please send me an invoice

Breeder's corner

Fullblood Polled Gelbvieh Polled Hereford

Merle E. Lewis

812/863-7701

James L. Lewis

812/863-2970

RR1 Box 1360 • Springville, IN 47462

Arizona The Prosser Family

Illinois

Iowa

928/477-2458 Summer

928/289-2619 Winter

Winslow, AZ Website: www.bartbar.com Email: bartbar@hughes.net

GS

Angus, Gelbvieh, Balancer & Commercial Replacement Females

Arkansas

• Polled Purebreds • Red • Black

Double D Farm

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

Skyler Martin

9937 Warren Rd. Winslow, IL 61089

1200 S. Blackhawk Rd. Oregon, IL 61061

(815) 367-4116

(815) 732-7583

Ricky Linquist

th Street inquist 1135 190 inquist Fonda, IA 50540

arms (712) 288-5349 arms Gelbvieh & Red Angus

O S WA L D

Indiana 3 G Ranch

Colorado Dave & Dawn Bowman 55784 Holly Rd. • Olathe, CO 81425

(970) 323-6833 www.bowkranch.com

Gelbvieh Cattle For Sale Carl, Rebecca & Emily Griffiths 1577 N 600 E • Kendallville, IN 46755

R A N C H

For Sale — Our Entire Registered Herd — 300 Head!

Red and Black, Purebreds & Balancers®

Specializing in Black Balancer® Bulls Using top Gelbvieh, Angus and Red Angus AI sires

Breeding Gelbvieh for 35 Years! Every Cow is home raised!

Cell: 641-344-9946 Home/Fax: 641-342-6638 Ranch: 641-342-3035

Jim Oswald 1426 Truro Pavement Osceola, IA 50213

260/897-2160 • ggge3g@embarqmail.com

Your call or visit is Always Welcome

Looking for bulls or females? Have bulls or females to sell??

Find it all with the free listing service on the AGA website. Go to

www.gelbvieh.org 26 | April 2010

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

Advertise Your Operation in Gelbvieh World or the Profit Picture for only $26 per month Or receive a 10% discount when you contract for a full year.

Call 303-465-2333 today!

Paulsen Cattle Co.

Hand-Picked Top-Shelf Genetics Red & Black Purebred & Balancer

Darrel & Sue Paulsen H: 712-437-2213 C: 712-229-0419 plsncc@netins.net

Traci Paulsen & Joe D’Souza H: 563-359-1006 C: 563-340-2001

Two Step Ranch Lacey McCabe Pat and Jay McCabe P563-543-5251 aulsen Cattle Co. 563-543-4177

McCabe Cattle Co.

gelbvieh Gary and Kenny White 3140 SE Colorado • Topeka, KS 66605 785.267.1066 or 785.554.4744

Kentucky

Missouri

B/F Cattle Company

Specializing in Forage Raised Balancer® Bulls on K-31

Culling practices on cows/bulls second to NONE!

Gelbvieh Farley, Iowa Balancers Annual Spring Bull Sale 60-80 Bred Females Each Fall

(E-mail): twostepranch@netins.net (web): www.mccabecattle.com

For information, contact:

Route 1, Box 407 • Butler, MO 64730

660 • 492 • 2808

Kansas Parker Corum

Bar Arrow Cattle Company Stuar t Jar vis 26 E. Limestone Rd. • Phillipsburg, KS 67661

•

606-598-3535 Goose Rock, Kentucky www.littlebullfarm.com More Milk • More Muscle • More Pounds

Range Ready Simangus, Balancer (Gv x An), Angus Bulls

Minnesota

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

Brandywine Farm Tom Scarponcini

30474 Brandywine Road Rushford, MN 55971

507-864-2063

John & Carla Shearer

2815 Navajo Road • Canton, KS 67428 (620) 628-4621 • circle_s@hometelco.net Annual Production Sale 1st Saturday in April

Gelbvieh

SFI Schafer Farms, Inc.

18-30 mo. age, all forage tested, calving ease, semen tested, guaranteed, large selection of top genetics, utilize hybrid vigor for more $, more longevity, more forage You can utilize the benefits of heterosis! genetics. Quality bred heifers & cows.

John Rotert/Bob Harriman 50 yrs. of reputation Montrose, MO seedstock.

660-693-4844 • 660-492-2504

www.rotertharriman.com

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

Mississippi doLally Cattle Company 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

BRAND

Ernest J. Lally 7298 Jones Road Owner Summit, MS 39666 D.L. Edwards 601-567-0089 Ranch Manager dolallycattle@aol.com Specializing in Bred Balancer® Heifers

Juniors!

Check www.gelbvieh.org often for show information and results on regional shows and the Junior Classic!

Gelbvieh World | 27

Breeder's corner

Nebraska

Rogers Valley Farm Gelbvieh

J. J. Boehler

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

Breed for Tomorrow’s Cattle Today!

A Breed Leader in Tenderness & Marbling–

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

k leinschmidt f arms g elbvieh

With herd sires profiling a perfect 10 in Tenderness and carrying the 316 Tenderness Gene!

Randy Kleinschmidt

P.O. Box 51 Mendon, MO 64660 (660) 272-3805 (O) (660-375-7266 (C)

402/ 759-4660 (H) 402/ 366-1605 (Cell)

Pope Farms Gelbvieh

Bill Kleinschmidt

402/ 759-4654 www.kleinschmidtfarms.com

Ronald & Kathryne Rogers email: rogers_valley_farm_feedlot@hotmail.com

Gelbvieh’s Powerful New Perspective

Ge n e va • Nebr a s k a • 6 83 6 1

P

Jeff and Jeanne Pope 26075 Willow Rd., Ravenna, NE 68869 Phone & Fax: (308) 467-BEEF popefarms@nctc.net

www.popefarms.com

Montana

Annual Sale 1st Monday in February Dale & Jeannette

308/826-4771

Pritchard Gelbvieh Jeff & Janelle Pritchard 50476 817th Road Spalding, NE 68665

H: 308-497-2249 C: 308-750-1544

Private Treaty Balancer® Bulls Black Bulls with Performance, Calving Ease, Carcass and Function

Mike & Renee

308/826-5185

23685 Sartoria Rd. • Amherst, NE 68812 www.taubenheimgelbvieh.com

We want to Keep up with AGA members.

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

•

28 | April 2010

Items for Places to Be News for Bits N Pieces Dates for upcoming shows and field days.

State Association news

Jeff Swanson • 308/337-2235 72408 I Road • Oxford, NE 68967 Annual Sale—Last Saturday in February

GELBVIEH

BALANCER

N. Carolina

Plus, add us to your mailing lists when sending out sale catalogs.

Mick & Dave Ainsworth

Send all items to: Editor, Gelbvieh World 10900 Dover St., Westminster, CO 80021 jennifers@gelbvieh.org

910-652-2233 Cell: 910-639-4804

P.O. Box 154, Jackson Springs, NC 27281

Mick’s email: longleaf@etinternet.net Dave’s email: longleaf@dsslink.net

Ellison Gelbvieh & Angus Ranch Gelbvieh & Angus & Balancers

Private Treaty Sales • Bulls (Yearling & 2-yr.-old) & Heifers

Mitchel & Edna Ellison

Oregon

Jeff & Susie Ellison

9020 ND Hwy 49 Lemmon, SD 57638

9015 ND Hwy 49 Lemmon, SD 57638

701.376.3238

701.376.3526

Proven Genetics with Balanced Traits!

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

Producing Black, Polled Genetics for Today & Tomorrow.

Rob Arnold

Email: RLAGelbvieh@aol.com

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers®

Ohio

S. Dakota ADKINS GELBVIEH

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 402 4th Ave., Iroquois, SD 57353 www.adkinsgelbvieh.com

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

Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle Bulls • Heifers • Embryos • Semen

Jim & Barb Beastrom Brandy Ludemann, Brittney Spencer

Ph: 605-224-5789 • 605-280-7589 (Cell) jimbeastrom@mncomm.com • www.beastromranch.com

Oklahoma N. Dakota

Julie Maude 605.255.4944 (H) Lori Maude 952.681.7694 (H) cj_llivestock@yahoo.com Hermosa, SD Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer® Genetics from a Trusted Source

Randy, Pam & Family 405-649-2410 • Cell 405-742-0774

E-mail: rgallaway@itlnet.net • www.gallawaygelbvieh.com

Chimney Butte Ranch

15182 N. Midwest Blvd. • Mulhall, OK 73063

605-787-4595

3320 51st St., Mandan, ND 58554

chimneybutteranch@westriv.com www.chimneybutteranch.com Annual Production Sale 1st Friday in March

Exceptional BULLS & HEIFERS

Advertise where it counts:

June/July Gelbvieh World Ad Deadline: May 5 Call Don: 406-538-5622 or Steve: 606-387-4811

High Quality, Black and Polled Piedmont, South Dakota

Doug and Carol Hille 701/445-7383

TRUCKING AVAILABLE

Looking for a sale or upcoming event?

Check Places to Be on the website: www.gelbvieh.org

http://www.elkcreekgelbvieh.com

Hojer

G Gelbvieh elbvieh R Ranch anch 43968 208th Street Lake Preston, SD 57249 605/847-4155 605/860-1326 Alan & Pam Blake, Nikki, Christian

Email: hojerranch@rapiddatasystems.net Website: www.hojergelbviehranch.com

“Performance Genetics for Your Tomorrow” Gelbvieh World | 29

Breeder's corner

Texas

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 Virginia Ron Hughes 276-637-6493

NN Bar Ranch, Inc.

Registered Angus, Gelbvieh and Balancers®

Brad Hughes 276-637-6071

Kris, Dawn and Laren Nelson 21200 Watson Road East Creston, WA 99117

509-636-2343

NN

Email: nnbarranch@accina.com 121A Lavender Dr. Max Meadows, VA 24360 Purebred Gelbvieh & Balancers®–all Black, all Polled

Hickory Hill Farm “Quality Gelbvieh Genetics”

Dr. & Mrs.T Marshall Hahn Owners

Tracey Redifer Manager

2246 Lusters Gate Road • Blacksburg, VA 24060

(540) 961-3766 • tlrhhf@verizon.net

W. Virginia

1800 W. 50th St. • Sioux Falls, SD 57105

Steve Schroeder 605-334-5809 (O) • 605-363-3247 (H)

QUALITY POLLED GELBVIEH Red House, VA 23963

Thorstenson Gelbvieh

Selby, South Dakota Annual Bull Sale 1st Saturday in March Ken & Jo Vaughn & Wendy 605-649-7304 605-649-6262

Office (434) 376-3567 Fax (434) 376-7008 James D. Bennett 434/376-7299 Paul S. Bennett 434/376-5675 Jim G. Bennett 434/376-5760 Brian R. Bennett 434/376-5309

www.Balancerbulls.com

Tennessee

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

Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer® Cattle

Promote for Success!

Clinch Mountain Gelbvieh

Upcoming Advertising Deadlines: June/July Herd Reference: May 5th August Gelbvieh World: June 21

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

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

Bulls & Heifers for Sale

30 | April 2010

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303-465-2333

Service center Send for catalog listing semen on over 75 bulls Eldon Starr

210 Starr Drive, Stapleton, NE 69163

(308) 587-2348 • 1-800-535-6173 www.bullbarn.com

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Gelbvieh World | 31

News news Management

Carcass Ultrasound 101 Volume 16

Accurate Data Means Dollars in the Pocket Dr. Mike Tess and the UGC

“Our goal is to help improve economic opportunity for people in the beef industry using ultrasound – from technicians collecting the data to the breeder using the EPDs,” says Dr. Mike Tess, Executive Director of the Ultrasound Guidelines Council. Tess took the helm of the UGC last September, culminating a 21-year career as professor of Animal Science at Montana State University. “So far, so good,” he says of working with the UGC folks, and overseeing day-to-day operations.

Mark Henry, Director of Operations for the National CUP Lab™ & Technology Center, is pleased to see Tess take on the new role. “Dr. Mike Tess is a welcome addition to the UGC with his background in research and teaching. He has a scientific and common sense approach to that is very helpful to making the UGC a better organization,” says Henry.

Tess describes the UGC as the “gateway for ultrasound data,” a mission that places a high premium on accuracy, and one he feels privileged to shoulder. “Producers are making crucial breeding decisions based on the assumption this data is accurate,” he says.

“It’s our job to make sure it is.”

In that vein, Tess says he sees oversight of the beef ultrasound industry as three-fold: field technicians, processing labs, and the breed associations; ensuring each is held to strict quality standards.

For field technicians, the UGC is the source for training and certification. “UGC certification enables the field technician to say ‘Yes, we know what we’re doing’,” explains Tess. To obtain certification, field techs under go stringent training and testing to ensure they obtain valid images with a high level of quality and accuracy.

“Consistency is key,” according to Tess.

Certification must be renewed every two years and the UGC Board of Directors is committed to providing continuing education for technicians. Efforts to utilize new technology to make training more accessible are also under discussion.

At the lab level, the UGC concentrates on certification of lab technicians, who are held 32 | April 2010

to the same standards as field technicians, and operations software. It’s an area where evolving technology provides ongoing challenges. “Labs are always looking at ways for technology to make them faster and more efficient,” says Tess. Operating systems, software, and electronic communication methods are always under development. “It’s the American way,” says Tess. As each new product or approach becomes available, it must be tested against actual carcass data to measure its consistency and accuracy. As Tess says, “It must predict what it sets out to predict.”

“It’s an expensive and time-consuming process,” explains Tess, with the expense borne by the lab. “But it must be statistically accurate or it isn’t usable. Again, the data has to be reliable.”

“The UGC serves a vital role in this process by giving credibility to the science,” says Henry. “Its validation of software, along with its certification of field and lab technicians, is invaluable to ultrasound.”

For Tess, the UGC’s role as a pipeline for communication to the breed associations is just as important. EPDs must be based on accurate and reliable data, and must be calculated using approved and tested methodology. “For ultrasound to be beneficial to producers, the data used by the breed associations to compute EPDs must be as accurate as it can be,” says Tess. “They’re buying bulls and semen, and ranking females based on that data. Most don’t understand the statistical methods used to create those EPDs; they take them on trust. It’s imperative that all parties involved do everything they can to maintain that trust.”

“There is competition among the breeds, among the labs and technicians, and among the producers. That’s part of the capitalistic system we live in, where everyone is always striving to get better. It’s up to the UGC to look after the common interests and maintain a level of standardization and quality,” Tess explains. “Accuracy of the data shouldn’t be something the producer worries about. He should be able to take that for granted.”

Rapidly changing technology and scientific progress are concerns for the

overall industry, and Tess is keenly aware of the pressure to keep ultrasound relevant and dependable. “There’s a lot of heartburn and uncertainly in the ultrasound field right now,” says Tess. “If ultrasound becomes obsolete, a lot of people lose their livelihoods.”

From full-time field technicians, to labs that exist solely for that purpose, gathering and processing ultrasound images and data has become its own industry. Tess says the number of certified technicians in the field has held steady at about 150 for the past few years. Some are part-time and perform the service as supplementary income. Others are from research facilities, or are veterinarians who provide scanning as a compliment to their business. But many are full-time technicians, scanning thousands of cattle each year and relying on ultrasound as their sole source of income.

The number of cattle being scanned has decreased slightly in recent years, according to Tess, who ascribes the trend to economic factors. “Producers are struggling to survive,” he explains. “They’re cutting back on costs.” Still, Tess stresses, ultrasound is “a tremendous tool, a way to provide individual measure of carcass traits while the animal is still alive.”

“An animal’s not much good for breeding after harvest,” Tess laughs. He continues to emphasis the “tremendous economic value” in being able to measure traits like IMF that correlate to consumer identified preferences like marbling.

From an organizational standpoint, Tess hopes to make the UGC operate more efficiently. “I would like everyone (technicians, labs, and breed associations) to feel like they’re getting more bang for their buck,” Tess says. And by doing that, he hopes to help the industry stay profitable.

“Everyone along the chain needs to be economically viable,” he adds, “and the UGC should help them do that.”

But for Tess, the real mission of the UGC comes back to an even higher calling: “Our ultimate goal is to provide better quality data to the beef industry.”

L J L Gelbvieh Ranch – A Lifetime of Commitment to Service and Gelbvieh Cattle Report by Max & Debby Porter and Don Danell

Our legion in Gelbvieh cattle is a forceful brigade. The framework that binds us as breeders and ranchers is founded in rugged individuals–firmly faithful and passionately committed in all times. There is no finer example than Leonard Lindquist.

L

eonard was born 80-some years ago in White River, S.D. His father and family ran a 1,000-head ranch. The family moved to Montana in 1933 and settled in the Bitterroot Valley near Darby. Leonard

34 | April 2010

ranched until he enlisted in the Marine Corp during WWII. He served from 1944 to 1946 with his company of Marines including Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Saipan and the occupation of Japan.

Post WWII, Leonard returned to the Bitterroot Valley and continued ranching

on Little Sleeping Child Creek. In addition Leonard began work with the U.S. Forest Service on a part-time basis. Leonard built his herd to 450 females of mostly Hereford based cattle. He ran his own feedlot and supplied beef to local markets. Leonard and Jenny were married in 1947. In 1950,

“At age 82, he is still breaking bred heifers by himself. I watched him put halters, for the second time, on four bred heifers – without a chute!”

– Don Danell Leonard was reactivated into the Korean War. He had two weeks to dispose of all his cattle and report for duty. Their first son, Dave, was born one day prior to his departure for Korea. In Korea as a field commissioned 2nd lieutenant, his Fox Company saw two difficult years in battle. Only 17 of over 200 men returned.

Leonard returned to his family battle hardened with his Purple Heart but determined to start over.

Leonard and Jenny and their children moved to the present ranch on Lost Horse Creek in 1960. Lost Horse is a beautiful place in the shadow of the Bitterroot Selway Wilderness, the largest wilderness area in the nation. The family grew to include 5 children; Dave, Carolyn, Janey, Scott and Janet. All have shown cattle through 4-H and even now Leonard supplies show steers to his numerous grandchildren. Leonard and Jenny Lindquist acquired their first Gelbvieh cattle in 1983. Those females were remnants of a Carnation Genetics A.I. operation and were not in the best of shape. As Leonard says, “They didn’t quit eating for two years.”

But through A.I. and further breeding Leonard and Jenny built a fine herd of Gelbvieh.

Prior to returning to the Forest Service in 1985, Leonard had become a demolition expert serving as a regional blast examiner from 1978 until 1985. He conducted blasting schools throughout the lower 48 states and Alaska. The Forest Service sought his counsel during times of extreme fire behavior. In 2000, when over 380,000 acres of Bitterroot forest was lost he was reinstated as fire boss to help stop the fires.

Balancing life on many fronts did not dissuade LJL from promoting and breeding some exceptional cattle. Leonard was instrumental in establishing the Montana Select Female sale as well as early bull sales in Montana. He has shown cattle at the N.I.L.E. in Billings and other events for many years. His support for Gelbvieh has included serving as President of the Montana Gelbvieh Association and chairman of the Montana Female Sale. Leonard still supports the Montana

female sale with consignments and purchasing females. For over 30 years, LJL Gelbvieh continues to sell private treaty bulls to purebred and commercial ranchers

all over the west. Leonard and family operate their own processing facility at their ranch. LJL finishes straight Gelbvieh steers and carcass tests by verification from repeat customers ordering beef for over twenty years.

There are defining moments in all our lives. These moments show us personal sacrifice, job well done, overwhelming faith and dedication to family and unbridled patriotism. All of us in the ranching community are privileged by those that inspire and mentor us: LJL Gelbvieh Ranch, we applaud you.

Gelbvieh World | 35

Industry Update

News news Estrus Synchronization Choosing an estrus synchronization system for use with artificial insemination can be difficult. Estrus synchronization systems vary in cost, labor requirements, and effectiveness. Following are some key factors to consider when choosing an estrus synchronization system.

1. Available labor and facilities 2. Cost 3. Reproductive state of the females

Gelbvieh Products

The first consideration when choosing an estrus synchronization protocol is determining if sufficient labor and facilities are available to successfully implement the protocol and A.I. Ask yourself these questions. Do I have adequate facilities (sorting pens, chute, head-catch, etc.)? Do I have enough labor to observe estrus and sort cows two or more times daily or do I need to use timed-insemination? Is a technician available and for how many days? If the facilities are good but labor and technician time is limiting, then chose a system suitable for timed-insemination. If facilities are somewhat limiting but labor and technician

are not, then chose an estrus synchronization system that is suitable for insemination after estrus is detected.

The second consideration is cost. Cost for estrus synchronization protocols can vary from as little as $4 per cow to as high as $22 per cow. The cheaper systems typically require more labor and are less effective.

The final consideration for choosing an estrus synchronization protocol is trying to determine the reproductive state of the cow herd. On the first day of the breeding season, cows in most herds are either anestrous or cyclic. An anestrous female is one that has not yet begun to exhibit estrous cycles.

Beef females are anestrous prior to puberty and after each calving. Because all cows are anestrous after each calving, it is important to manage the cows such that the length of time that they are anestrous is limited.

Normally, cows are anestrus for 45-100 days after calving. Unfortunately, the length of the anestrous period is variable and difficult to predict. A cyclic female is one that has begun to exhibit estrous cycles. The difficulty with synchronizing estrus in cyclic females is

that, on any given day, females are at random stages of the estrous cycle and females at some stages of the estrous cycle are more difficult to synchronize than those at other stages of the estrous cycle.

For a system to effectively control estrus in all cows, it must: 1) induce regression of the corpus luteum or a decline in progesterone, 2) control follicular growth, and 3) induce estrus and ovulation in cows that are anestrus. The goal, then, is to use a system that can be delivered to all cows and result in a synchronous, fertile estrus and greater than 50 percent pregnant to A.I. in 1-4 days regardless of their reproductive state.

Estrus synchronization protocols that incorporate timed-insemination are chosen most often because labor is usually the most limiting factor and those protocols are effective in both anestrous and cyclic cows.

For the 2010 estrus synchronization protocols for heifers and cows and more information on beef reproduction visit the Applied Reproduction Strategies in Beef Cattle (ARSBC) by the Beef Reproduction Task Force at http://beefrepro.unl.edu/.

Gelbvieh Promotional Items

All Proceeds Benefit AGJA. Show your Gelbvieh Pride and Support AGJA! Prices start at $12.00

Sizes up to 4XL available for most items

Visit www.gelbvieh.org or contact AGA for complete listing of merchandise and an order form.

All orders will be placed directly with Wendy’s Custom Creations.

Send your form to or contact Wendy for product details.

Wendy’s Custom Creations, 2907 270th St., Winthrop, IA 50682 • Ph. (319) 934-3755 36 | April 2010

Industry

Feature feature

A First-Hand Look into the Argentina Beef Industry

By Nikki Hojer

An auction taking place at Mercado de Liniers in Buenos Aires.

.

Mercado de Liniers in Buenos Aires

Steers grazing on Alfalfa at the Fossati Brothers’ Ranch. These steers are about 18 months old and weigh about 660 lbs.

Steers on a stock trailer at the Fossati Brother’s Ranch going to La Pampa Natural packing plant. These trailers hold 38 head (950 lb/ head) and are 52 feet long.

The outside of La Pampa Natural Packing Plant.

38 | April 2010

This past winter, I had a unique opportunity over my Christmas break to study abroad in South America. I spent a week in Argentina and a week in Chile looking first hand at the agriculture industry in each country. My adventure started in Buenos Aires and I traveled across Argentina visiting Rosario, Santa Rosa and San Martin de Los Andes. I then went into Chile were we visited Valdivia. I would like to share with you some of my experiences regarding the beef industry in Argentina.

The first stop on my trip was at Mercado de Liniers which is the world’s largest stockyards and is located in Buenos Aires. The entire stockyard was on eighty-four acres of land and would sell, on average, 40,000 head per week to be harvested. Ten years ago they used to sell 40,000 head per day, but due to farmers focusing more on crop production, cattle numbers have decreased. There are fifty-five consignment firms that people sell their cattle through and there are two hundred different packing plants that would buy. Mafri is the number one ranked packing plant and JBS is number two.

One big difference that I noticed between this stockyard and stockyards at home is that they sell cattle by the pen and in their pens where they are housed. All the buyers and auctioneer are on catwalks above the cattle as they are being sold. Prior to selling the pen they would take one or two head out of the pen and take an average weight. They then would weigh the whole pen after they were sold and that is when the official price was set. There are thirty scales on the perimeter and they would be weighed both manually and electronically for cross referencing purposes. The main types of cattle that went through Liniers were Angus and Red Angus.

Herefords also came through, but were not as prevalent as the other two breeds. Cattle in Argentina are harvested at a much lighter weight, roughly 800-900 pounds.

My next stop was to the Fossati Brothers Ranch, which is a top of the line ranch that is

Feature feature vertically integrated. The Fossati through Friday. The one thing that Brothers own 3,000 cows that are a really stuck out to me that was mix between Angus and Herefords. different from the United States is Of these 3,000, only 250 head are their package labeling. On each label artificially inseminated and the was the individual package weights, rest are natural serviced. They keep the total boxes weights, the packing about 20 percent of their female plant, the owner of animal, the date calves for replacement and all the harvested, the date fabricated, the rest of the calves are fed out. Unlike temperature it was frozen at and the in the United States, calves in animals hot carcass weight. They also Argentina are grown on grass and/ quartered their beef into the rump, or alfalfa and they do not mix steers loin, hind quarter and fore quarter.

Ranch.

Brothers’ My group in front of a group of steers at the Fossati and heifers. Calves only see grain The rump and loin were strictly used the last 60-100 days before harvesting, which was implemented only for domestic use and the hind quarter was strictly used for exports, five years ago. The Fossati Brothers also raise all the grain they feed. while the fore quarter was used for both domestic and exports.

One thing I found very interesting in Argentina is farmers/ Argentina exports to many different countries, however they will ranchers get together and form groups that work together and not export to Japan, Korea, or Australia. help one another with production. Each person in this group has This was a once in a lifetime trip from which learned a lot. If you a role that benefits the rest of the group. The Fossati Brothers were ever have the opportunity to travel overseas, I definitely recommend a part of one of these groups and as a group they built their own it. It is a great eye-opening experience to see where the United States packing plant. This packing plant was called La Pampa Natural. This differs from other countries and how much of an influence we have plant only accepted cattle from the shareholders. If on a day the on world economics. Feel free to contact me if you would like to stockholders do not have any cattle, then the plant does not run. learn more about my trip to South America.

La Pampa Natural is one of the most technologically advanced Nikki Hojer is a student at South Dakota State University and the packing plants in Argentina. It reminded me of a small Tyson packing plant. They would harvest around 500 head per day, ex-officio member of the American Gelbvieh Junior Association Board of employ around 200 employees, and would run only Monday Directors. Her email address is nlhojer@jacks.sdstate.edu.

Gelbvieh World | 39

The Mating Game

By Susan Knights Willmon, AGA Director of Breed Promotion

The updated Gelbvieh and Balancer rules published in August 2009 contain a chart that hopefully simplifies the process of answering the often asked question, “What do I get, breed percentage wise, when I breed Sire A to Cow B?” As we head into breeding season and in an effort to provide AGA members with a one page reference tool we have pulled the chart out of the rules and have included it below.

In order to use this chart there are some fundamental Gelbvieh rules that you must understand. Both PB 94 (PB 15/16) animals and fullbloods (FB 100) are considered 100 percent Gelbvieh for purposes of this table. Thus a PB 94 bull contributes 50% GV to his offspring. If you bred him to a Balancer female that is BA ½ (50% GV, 50% AN) you would end up with an offspring that is BA ¾ or 75 percent Gelbvieh (50% from the sire + 25% from the dam).

In all other cases the percentage Gelbvieh that is contributed to the offspring is half of the parents Gelbvieh percentage. In cases where the progeny percentage ends up between designations the animal is rounded down to the nearest one-eighth. For example if you breed a BA 5/8 to a BA ½ the resulting progeny would be designated a BA ½.

The same principle applies to figuring out what percentage of other breeds are present. In the case of Balancers you simply halve each of the parents Angus or Red Angus contributions. In the initial case above of the PB 94 sire bred to the BA ½ female the resulting Angus percentage would be one-fourth.

These percentage rules were made effective beginning January 1, 2009. A complete copy of the updated rules can be found at www.gelbvieh.org in the Registration – Forms and Resources section. Pages 3-4 of the Gelbvieh Rules and 2-3 of the Balancer Rules provide all the background detail for your reference. If you have questions regarding the chart below do not hesitate to call the AGA office for clarification.

PARENT 2 %GV

Management

News news

PARENT 1 - % GV

FB 100

3/8 1/2 1/2 5/8 5/8 3/4 3/4

PB 94 or PB 15/16 1/2 1/2 5/8 5/8 3/4 3/4 PB 7/8

3/4

PB 7/8

PB 7/8

3/4

PB 7/8

PB 7/8

PB 94 or PB 15/16

PB 94 or PB 15/16 PB 94 or PB 15/16

3/4

PB 7/8

PB 94 or PB 15/16

PB 94 or PB 15/16

FB 100

0 1/8 1/4 3/8 1/2 5/8 3/4

0

1/8

1/4

3/8

1/2

5/8

3/4

PB 7/8

0 0 1/8 1/8 1/4 1/4 3/8

0 1/8 1/8 1/4 1/4 3/8 3/8

1/8 1/8 1/4 1/4 3/8 3/8 1/2

1/8 1/4 1/4 3/8 3/8 1/2 1/2

1/4 1/4 3/8 3/8 1/2 1/2 5/8

1/4 3/8 3/8 1/2 1/2 5/8 5/8

3/8 3/8 1/2 1/2 5/8 5/8 3/4

PB 7/8

3/8

1/2

1/2

5/8

5/8

3/4

PB 94 or PB 15/16

1/2

1/2

5/8

5/8

3/4

FB 100

1/2

1/2

5/8

5/8

3/4

40 | April 2010

1/2 1/2 5/8 5/8 3/4 3/4 PB 7/8

Gelbvieh World | 41

Places to Be places to be April 2010

April 2 April 3

April 3

April 3

April 3 April 3

April 7 April 9 April 10 April 10 April 10 April 10

April 15 April 15

Midwest Performance Bull Sale, Bloomfield, IA Four State Gelbvieh Association Annual Bull/Female Sale, Springfield, MO Jumping Cow Gelbvieh Bull and Commercial Female Sale, Brush, CO Circle S 3rd Annual Going to Grass Production Sale, Canton, KS Seedstock Plus High Altitude Bull Sale, Monte Vista, CO Schroeder Ranch 12th Annual Gelbvieh & Balancer Production Sale, Mitchell, SD Midland Bull Test Gelbvieh Sale, Columbus, MT Cranview Gelbvieh Genetic Progress Sale, Rugby, ND Southwest Iowa Bull & Female Sale, Creston, IA Bluegrass Gelbvieh Sale, Mt. Sterling, KY West Virginia Beef Expo Gelbvieh Sale, Jackson’s Mill, WV Knoll Crest Farm’s Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, VA Herd Assessments Due Deadline to submit data for summer EPD run

May 2010

May 1 May 5

Seedstock Plus ‘Goin to Grass’ Sale, Springfield, MO DEADLINE: June/July Gelbvieh World

June 2010

June 1 Ownership deadline for AGJA sponsored shows June 1 Lone Star Classic Entry Deadline June 11-13 AGJA Western Regional Show, Albert Lea, MN June 18-20 AGJA Eastern Regional Show, Warrenton, MO June 18 Postmark deadline for AGJA Board of Director &

Scholarship applications June 21 DEADLINE: August Gelbvieh World

New Members new members The following individuals and operations joined the American Gelbvieh Association and American Junior Gelbvieh Association during the month of February.

The cost for an adult membership with the American Gelbvieh Association is $75 per year. Included in those dues is a complimentary yearly subscription to the Gelbvieh World and

New Adult Members

June 28-July 1 Beef Industry Federation (BIF) Conference,

Columbia, MO July 2010

July 4-10 AGJA Lone Star Classic, Bryan-College Station, TX July 20 DEADLINE: September Gelbvieh World July 31 One-Rate registrations due on 2009 fall born calves August 2010

Aug. 1 Aug. 17

September 2010

Sept. 20 Oct. 2

Oct. 9 Oct. 19 Oct. 20 Oct. 20-23

Gangloff Farms

Kentucky Joey R Stevenson

Mississippi Amanda Langston, Triple L Farms 42 | April 2010

Jumping Cow Gelbvieh Spirit of the West Sale, Ramah, CO Flying H Genetics Missouri Fall Sale Data due for fall EPD run DEADLINE: December Gelbvieh World National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, Ind.

The American Gelbvieh Association office will be closed the following days for summer holidays: • May 28 and May 31 • July 5 • September 6 Editor’s Note: If you have sale or event information for this listing, please email the information to jennifers@gelbvieh.org. This includes tours, expos, field days and other Gelbvieh events. Places to Be at www.gelbvieh.org contains additional contact information for each event.

The Profit Picture. Membership dues for the American Gelbvieh Junior Association are $20 annually.

To learn more about the American Gelbvieh Association, American Gelbvieh Junior Association or the Gelbvieh breed, request an inquiry packet by calling 303-465-2333 or by emailing a request to info@gelbvieh.org.

Montana

Georgia

Illinois

DEADLINE: November Gelbvieh World

October 2010

Wes Neubauer Craig & Tommie Stanley

Data due for Dam of Merit/Dam of Distinction DEADLINE: October Profit Picture

Ohio Yoder’s Prairie Acres

New Junior Members Minnesota Shianne M. Teas Austin J. Teas

Nebraska South Carolina Iron Rock Cattle Company, LLC

Tennessee Blocker and Edwards Gelbvieh Stacy Boatright

Aubree Jay Warner

North Carolina Ethan D. McMahan

South Dakota Jayden Carrier

Ad Index ad index 2R-2B Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 3 G Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 26 Adkins Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Arp Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 B/F Cattle Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Bar Arrow Cattle Company. . . . . . . . . . 17, 27 Bar IV Livestock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 27 Bar T Bar Ranch, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Blackhawk Cattle Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Bow K Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Brandywine Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Cattlemen’s Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11 C-Cross Cattle Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Cedar Top Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Chimney Butte Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Circle S Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 CJ&L Livestock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Clinch Mountain Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Cranview Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 46 Craven Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Cunningham, Ronn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

44 | April 2010

D Bar L Livestock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Danell Diamond Six Ranch. . . . . . . . . . 28, 37 DDM Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 doLally Cattle Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Eagle Pass Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Elk Creek Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Ellison Gelbvieh & Angus Ranch. . . . . . . . . 29 Flying H Genetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Gallaway Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Gelbvieh Bull Barn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Gelbvieh Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Gelbvieh Profit Partners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Goettlich Gelbvieh Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Golden Buckle Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Green Hills Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 H & H Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Handel Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Hart Farm Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Hartland Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Hickory Hill Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Hill Top Haven Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Hojer Gelbvieh Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

H-Squared Genetics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 J & K Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, 45 J Bar M Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 J.J. Boehler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Judd Ranch Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Jumping Cow Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Kicking Horse Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Kleinschmidt Farms Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Knoll Crest Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Lambert, Doak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Land O’Lakes Purina Accuration. . . . . . . . . . 5 Ledgerwood Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Lemke Cattle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Leonhardt Cattle Company. . . . . . . . . . 30, 41 Linquist Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, 39 Little Bull Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Little Windy Hill Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . 30, 45 Lone Oak Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 26 Longleaf Station. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 M&P Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Maple Hill Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Markes Family Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Martin Cattle Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 McCabe Cattle Co./Two Step Ranch. . . . . . 27 Middle Creek Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 37 Miller Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Mitchell Marketing Service . . . . . 9, 19, 31, 47 MLM Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 National CUP Lab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 NN Bar Ranch, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 NS Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Oswald Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Paulsen Cattle Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Pearson Cattle Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Plateau Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Pope Farms Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Post Rock Cattle Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Pritchard Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Rafter R Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Ridge Top Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Rogers Valley Farm Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Rotert/Harriman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Schafer Farms, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Schroeder Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Seedstock Plus Genetics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Seedstock Plus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Swanson Cattle Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Taubenheim Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 The 88 Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Thorstenson Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 30 Treble W Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Triple K Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Warner Beef Genetics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 White Brothers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Wildwood Acres Gelbvieh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Wilkinson Gelbvieh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Williams Land & Cattle Auction Co.. . . . . . 31