I finally had to take the time to register for posting, have been reading and enjoying the site for quite some time, but had to put my 2 cents in on this post.
We are Gelbvieh breeders and yes, Per, would welcome a visit as long as you're willing to listen to my "enthusiasm" of the Gelbvieh breed. (
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I got into the breed over ten years ago because of many traits, but one of the main reasons was I am big and slow……running is for politicians, not me. After having other breeds that didn't fall into those parameters, I came across the Gelbvieh. It worked for me. We do occasionally have a high headed critter, but we are close enough to the auction that they do not last long at our place. I have found that often the high headiness is genetic, so some cow families didn't last long around here.
The Gelbvieh has changed, like others, in recent years. Our original cows were generally lighter colored, Gelbvieh meaning "yellow cow" in German, and now include darker reds and blacks. Overall, the breed is now more moderate, being on average, smaller in mature cow weight than Angus. Udders have drastically improved, although lower milk production may have be a consequence. (Many would have thought they had too much anyways.) The breed is very maternal and sometimes grafting a calf onto one that has lost hers is as easy as showing her the calf or one trip to the squeeze. Fertility is right up there, but on the negative side, we do have to watch for teenage pregnancies. I find it hard to believe you could find a better mother than a Gelbvieh….but I know there are many that would differ ;-)
Originally, I think the breed added pounds but it took lots of feed. I know at our place , we select for "easy keeping" animals and have made good progress in this area. Gelbvieh can add pounds and still maintain the calving ease that they have become known for. Studies from some years ago maintained Gelbvieh had the "most weaned pounds per cow exposed", but I am sure this would be challenged by many.
This year we are really excited about our calf crop. If I can figure out how, I'll bore you with a few pics and you can judge for yourself. Gelbvieh has worked for me and my family, we like 'em and like working with them, but each to their own. Every breed has their good and bad and the big trick is to keep some of the differences, not to make them all the same. I will keep my Gelbvieh enthusiasm restricted to this post in the future…….thanks for letting me ramble. I could go on, but hey……
As for the original post, Gelbvieh is considered "Exotic", I maintain they are more "British" than some of the British breeds. It ticks me off that the "Canada Gold Program" promotes having at least half British in the breeding…..someone had their best interests in mind when this program was initiated. But, you have to be at the table...thats the trick!
where in central AB are you at?
