Growing and improving
The American Gelbvieh Association’s 52nd Annual National Convention is heading to Louisville, Kentucky, Dec. 7 - 9. Association members and Gelbvieh and Balancer enthusiasts will gather for networking, fellowship and business meetings. Attendees will also hear from keynote speakers involved in Kentucky’s agriculture industry.
“The seventh annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup educational symposium will be held during the convention,” says Megan Slater, executive director of the American Gelbvieh Association. “It will feature industry leaders discussing management practices throughout the supply chain and why they matter.”
The Gelbvieh breed is playing its part in the beef industry’s sustainability story these days, mainly through focusing on efficiency. The Association provides some of the most accurate EPDs and selection indices for producers, helping them select optimal genetics. For instance, in the last 20 years alone, the breed’s calving ease has increased, whereas birth weight has steadily decreased. The genetic trend for weaning weight and yearling weight has also increased by 17 pounds and 34 pounds, respectively.
American Gelbvieh Association Executive Director Megan Slater says sustainability starts with the cow. “Our genetics provide maternal efficiency, especially in times when input costs continue to rise.”
“Gelbvieh believes sustainability starts with the cow,” Slater says. “Our genetics provide maternal efficiency, especially in times when input costs continue to rise. This is a big piece of the sustainability puzzle and key to a profitable operation for years to come.”
A recent study by the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center showed Gelbvieh females have the most moderate mature cow size of the eight major breeds.
“Having a moderate cow that raises a heavy calf, and does it year after year, is the picture of sustainability,” Slater adds.
This past spring, the Association launched the Cow Power Female Genotyping project. The program encourages producers to genotype more than 90% of their herds. Many producers have already taken advantage and are now making more informed breeding decisions because of it.
This year’s Gelbvieh convention is at the Hyatt Regency Louisville in Kentucky. To view attendee pricing, a schedule of events, or to simply learn more, visit the convention website here.
Fun in the Black Hills
A great winter getaway for rural folks and urbanites alike, the Black Hills Stock Show brings all elements of the Western way of life together in Rapid City, South Dakota. Events at the 2023 exhibit include cattle shows and sales; horse shows and sales; rodeo competitions; art exhibits; and the largest Cinch® trade show in the region. This year also includes a wide range of musical talent and entertainment for the entire family.
The Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, South Dakota, highlights elements of the Western lifestyle to bring entertainment to rural and urban communities alike.
“We are very fortunate to have The Monument facility and the Central States Fairgrounds to provide space for all the events this year,” says General Manager Ron Jeffries. Among them is the BHSS horse sale, which has become a national event, and the youth livestock show, which Jeffries says has grown tremendously in recent years.
“The BHSS has always been a Commercial Cattleman’s Show,” he adds. “Our consignors bring quality beef genetics, and we sell cattle to commercial ranchers. One way that we differ from many other stock shows is that we produce the sale, not the breed associations.”
As Rapid City continues to grow, Jeffries and the BHSS staff hope to evolve in response, offering activities and events that attract newcomers to agriculture, as well as the rural community.
The Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo takes place Jan. 27 to Feb. 4, 2023, at The Monument and the Central State Fairgrounds in Rapid City.
For a full schedule of events and tickets to any ticketed event, visit their website here.
The Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo takes place Jan. 27 to Feb. 4, 2023, at The Monument and the Central State Fairgrounds.
