Private Treaty Females

Impacting Profit with Gelbvieh and Balancer® Females

   Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle offer maternal superiority through increased longevity, added fertility and more pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed. In addition, Gelbvieh and Balancer females offer a small mature cow size, more maternal milk and reach puberty at an earlier age. U.S. Meat Animal Research Center data shows Gelbvieh females have the smallest mature cow size of the four major Continental breeds. The Gelbvieh breed was the only breed in the study to reduce mature cow size at an average of 1,382 pounds Gelbvieh-sired females had the lowest five year-old cow weight. This reduced mature cow-size allows for puberty to be reached at an earlier age, which leads to calving earlier in the season and producing acalf at a younger age. These females are able to wean heavier calves while still maintaining low birth weights and a tight calving interval year after year.

   Gelbvieh and Balancer females also excel in stayability, which is the probability a bull’s daughters will remain in the cow herd until at least six years of age. With the high costs associated with the development or purchase of replacement females, sustained reproduction is essential in a herd. U.S. MARC data, along with American Gelbvieh Association genetic trends, prove that today’s Gelbvieh and Balancer cows are highly productive, offering increased longevity, more manageable mature cow weights, early puberty, quiet disposition and have the ability to calve unassisted while delivering consistent growth.

   With stayability and cow productivity being important factors in cowcalf profitability, adding Gelbvieh and Balancer maternal influence through a crossbreeding program is a great option for commercial producers.