Multi-Breed Genetic Evaluation grows with Gelbvieh

April 2nd, 2013 8:55am

American Simmental Association (ASA) and the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) are pleased to announce to beef industry stakeholders that their joint, multi-breed genetic evaluation (MBGE) now includes the data of the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA). The addition of Gelbvieh data to the Spring 2013 EPDs pushes the multi-breed dataset to over 11.5 million animal records, and includes four of the seven largest beef breeds in North America - Canadian Angus Association (CAA) having been included since the onset of this multi-breed collaboration.

 

“We [participating breeds] share the use of thousands of sires due to Gelbvieh’s and Simmental’s use of Red and Black Angus in the production of hybrid seedstock,” said Dr. Wade Shafer, ASA chief operations officer and director of performance programs. Red Angus, Gelbvieh and Simmental all maintain open herd books that provide the basis for thousands of ‘head-to-head’ comparisons across breeds in well-formed contemporary groups. Canadian Angus provides similar opportunities to compare Red and Black Angus genetics. 

 

“Multi-breed genetic evaluation is a very important tool for Gelbvieh breeders as we strive to offer our commercial customers the most reliable EPDs,” offered Dr. Jim Gibb, executive director of AGA. “In addition to being able to account for breed differences, the multi-breed EPD model explains differences in performance due to heterosis. It is imperative for ranchers to be able to accurately compare purebred and hybrid seedstock,” Gibb added. 

 

AGA’s inclusion in this multi-breed collaboration offers another bonus to the beef industry – Gelbvieh EPDs for growth and carcass traits are now published on the same EPD base and scale as Red Angus and Simmental. This allows ranch customers to make direct comparisons across breeds – including hybrid and composite seedstock – for those traits. Greg Comstock, CEO of RAAA, commented that a current goal is to move all traits to a common EPD base for these breeds.

 

The MBGE model uses pedigree, performance, ultrasound, carcass and genomic data from 50K DNA panels in the calculation of multi-breed EPDs. Another unique feature of the MBGE is that RAAA, ASA, CAA and AGA all utilize some form of “Whole Herd Reporting” which provides improved EPD accuracy through building genetic evaluation on complete contemporary group data. 

 

Comstock summarized the power in what is believed to be the largest multi-breed beef cattle genetic evaluation database in the world, saying, “Through working together, sharing technical resources and pooling data, our respective breeds’ EPDs gain accuracy, our bull customers’ breeding decisions are simplified because and the seedstock we supply is of greater value – not just to cow-calf producers but to downstream segments of the beef industry.”

 

For more information on multi-breed EPDs, visit any of the breed association’s websites: redangus.org, simmental.org or gelbvieh.org.

 

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American Gelbvieh Association Show Increased Registrations, Membership

October 15th, 2012 12:22pm - Posted By: Jennifer Scharpe

Registrations and membership numbers for the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) were higher at the close of fiscal year 2011-2012 compared to a year ago. Animal registrations increased 6.3 percent, with the total number of animals registered by the Association at 35,831. Adult and junior members were 4 percent higher, with a combined sum of 1,589 adult and junior members.

The breakdown of AGA animal registrations is as follows: Balancer®registrations at 44.7 percent, purebred or fullblood Gelbvieh at 42.3 percent, and making up the remaining 13 percent were Percentage or Hybrid and Southern Balancer® registrations.

The largest growth of the Gelbvieh Association was seen in new adult members, with a 14.1 percent increase. The 2011-2012 fiscal year, which runs from October 1 to September 30, closed with 1,066 adult members. Memberships in the American Gelbvieh Junior Association were up 3 percent, for a total of 523 juniors.

Balancer animals are registered hybrid seedstock with documented pedigrees and EPDs. The breed composition of a Balancer animal is 25 to 75 percent Gelbvieh with the balance Angus or Red Angus. Historically, the purebred population represented approximately 80 percent of all AGA registrations. With an increase of Balancer genetics being used in commercial herds in the past few years, the Association’s data shows Balancer registrations now outnumber purebred Gelbvieh registrations.

Any animal, of any breed or cross, may be recorded using the Hybrid Cattle Recording Service with the AGA. The AGA documents the pedigree, breed composition and calculates performance data and provides EPDs. The Southern Balancer is a Gelbvieh heat tolerant composite with at least 25 percent Gelbvieh and 6.25-50 percent Bos indicus breeding.

“The increase in both registrations and memberships exemplifies the expanding impact of Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics on the seedstock and commercial cow-calf sectors of the beef industry,” said Mark Goes, AGA president. “Cattlemen and women are continuing to recognize the benefits of crossbreeding as a valuable tool to increase their profitability in the beef business. Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics make crossbreeding easy.”

Today, approximately 80 percent of the animals registered are black hided animals. Until 1999, more red hided cattle were registered with the AGA than black hided cattle. Of the animals registered with the Association that year, black hided cattle accounted for 49.5 percent of the registrations; red hided animals made up 41.3 percent. Since then, black hided animals have continued to increase their percentage of the total number of animals registered, representing a growing share of the registrations.

To learn more about how Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics make crossbreeding easy visit www.gelbvieh.org or call the American Gelbvieh Association at 303-465-2333.

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American Gelbvieh Association Hires Jim Gibb as Executive Director

September 14th, 2012 9:20am - Posted By: Jennifer Scharpe, AGA Director of Communication

The American Gelbvieh Association is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Jim Gibb as executive director to the AGA staff. Dr. Gibb lives in Louisville, Colo., and has been hired as the part-time executive director, effective immediately.

Dr. Gibb has a long-standing career in the beef industry working with seedstock and commercial beef producers. His work in the field of genomics and DNA testing has helped breeders and cattlemen identify quality genetics in their herds to help them make sound breeding decisions. Dr. Gibb brings an understanding of breed associations as he has previously worked for the American Polled Hereford Association and the American Gelbvieh Association.

“It is with great pride and inspiration the AGA announces the services of Dr. Jim Gibb in his role as executive director of the Association. Dr. Gibb’s vast accumulated experience working with cattle associations, his wealth of knowledge with regard to genomics and national cattle evaluation, as well as his fond familiarity with Gelbvieh cattle and the American Gelbvieh Association qualifies him as the perfect fit to help propel the Gelbvieh breed and the AGA’s membership into the forefront of the cattle industry,” said Mark Goes, president of the American Gelbvieh Association. “His interpersonal skills and supervisory expertise will enhance and facilitate more effective and efficient performance in the areas of research and breed improvement, administration and promotion for the AGA and its membership.”

The decision to hire an executive director for the AGA was made during the recent August meeting of the Association’s Board of Directors. The Board approved to realign the management of the AGA from the matrix management system to executive director management.

In regards to this decision, President Goes offers these comments: “Along with the diligent efforts towards the recent AGA strategic planning process, the Board of Directors allocated funding for a professional analysis of the matrix management of the AGA as opposed to executive director management. Under the professional advisement of a legal organizational consultant, the AGA Board has opted to proceed with the oversight of an executive director. While the AGA utilized the matrix design for almost three years with success, the efficiency and effectiveness of an executive director surpasses that of a matrix management as applied to a not-for-profit organization such as that of the AGA.”

Dr. Gibb will work out of the AGA headquarters office located in Westminster, Colo., on a part-time basis. For more information on the American Gelbvieh Association, visit www.gelbvieh.org or call 303-465-2333.

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American Gelbvieh Association Creates Commercial, Seedstock Producer Awards

July 23rd, 2012 12:56pm

In an effort to recognize the outstanding commercial and seedstock producers involved in the Gelbvieh breed, the American Gelbvieh Association has created the Outstanding Commercial Producer Award and the Outstanding Seedstock Producer Award. Both awards are based off the Beef Improvement Federation awards that are presented annually at the BIF conference.

The AGA will recognize one Outstanding Commercial Producer and one Outstanding Seedstock Producer annually during the Gelbvieh activities at the National Western Stock Show. The recipients of the AGA awards will then be considered for the Association’s nominations for the BIF awards that year.

Plans are underway to present the first of these awards at the 2013 NWSS. State associations are asked to nominate one commercial producer and one seedstock producer they feel is deserving of this recognition. Applications are due December 1.  

Applications for the Outstanding Commercial Producer Award and the Outstanding Seedstock Producer Awards can be found at www.gelbvieh.org under the Member Programs page under the Membership tab. Applications may also be requested by contacting Jennifer Scharpe, AGA director of communications, at jennifers@gelbvieh.org or 303-465-2333. For questions or more information about the awards, contact Frank Padilla, AGA director of breed promotion at frankp@gelbvieh.org or 303-465-2333.

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Increase Efficiencies, Profits with Gelbvieh Crossbreeding

July 23rd, 2012 12:00am - Posted By: Kara Walser, American Gelbvieh Association Communications Intern

Cow-calf producers crossbreed to increase efficiencies and profits. To see greater maternal benefits in a crossbreeding system, producers are choosing Gelbvieh or Balancer® genetics to use on commercial cows. Cattlemen and feeders recognize the value of crossbred calves as they exhibit heterosis (hybrid vigor) and combine the strengths of the parent breeds.

Heterosis refers to the superiority in performance of the crossbred animal compared to the average of the straight bred parents. Heterosis is typically reported in percentage improvement in the trait of interest. Heterosis results from the increase in the heterozygosity of a crossbred animal’s genetic makeup. Heterozygosity refers to a state where an animal has two different forms of a gene.

The advantages of crossbreeding have not changed. A crossbreeding program offers direct advantages including increased cow productivity and longevity as well as better calf survivability and performance. Producers are finding that a structured crossbreeding system helps them achieve the goals of increasing productivity and reducing production costs.

In doing the math, a planned crossbreeding program adds more than $500 over the life of a crossbred cow. That exceeds $50 per year. With a smaller mature cow size, Gelbvieh females provide genetics for exceptional milk production and extra pounds in calves. Heterosis results in increases in lifetime productivity of approximately one calf and 600 pounds of calf weaning weight over the lifetime of the cow.

Sustained female reproduction in the cow herd directly impacts profitability. The costs associated with development or purchase of replacement females is substantial. Older cows are more productive and will wean heavier calves. Gelbvieh females are proven to stay in the herd longer through stayability EPDs. In a Colorado State University study, the stayability of a five year old Gelbvieh female is 68 percent compared to 52 percent in the Simmental and 58 percent in the Red Angus females.

Cow-calf producers will benefit from the variety of traits Gelbvieh-sired females offer over other major beef breeds. The most recent Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) data study showed Gelbvieh-sired calves with the lowest birth weight of the four major Continental breeds. These calves will also reach puberty at an earlier age, 329 days on average; and produced the most pounds of maternal milk of the seven major beef breeds.

The advantage of a crossbred calf is an increase in calf livability and an increase in growth rate. Calves grow to produce their own offspring, passing on prime genetic traits for generations. MARC research shows that crossbred females are 30 percent more productive over their lifetimes due to increased fertility, calf survivability, increased weaning weights and cow longevity. Research shows the average crossbred female remains in the herd about two years longer than straight bred cows. 

“By using the maternal power of a Gelbvieh or Balancer in a crossbreeding program, those females produced will tip the scales with hybrid vigor by efficiently weaning more pounds of calf. Through aggressive selection pressure by Gelbvieh breeders, the breed has improved female stayability, increased calving ease, added carcass weight, while producing more pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed. Sell more pounds of calf at weaning, add value to your replacement females and improve your bottom line with Gelbvieh,” said the American Gelbvieh Association’s Frank Padilla.

The American Gelbvieh Association offers many services to assist in maximizing return on commercial breeder’s investment in Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls and replacement females. Their knowledgeable field staff is ready to assist in all marketing needs.

For cattlemen looking to market bulls, replacement females or feeder cattle, check out the AGA’s free Exchange service, including: Bull Listings, Female Listings, and Feeder Calf Listings. Visit www.gelbvieh.org/exchange.html to view current postings or to post a new listing.

Cow-calf producers who use Gelbvieh genetics are eligible to add value to females by marketing them through the Maternal Edge commercial female sales. Please visit www.maternaledge.com for more information. 

Brand your Gelbvieh-influenced feeder calves with SmartCross® ear tags. This ear tag tells the buyer he is getting quality and predictability. For more information on SmartCross or any other service, contact the AGA office for more information at 303-465-2333.

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American Gelbvieh Junior Association Names 2012-13 Ambassadors

July 13th, 2012 8:50am

The American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) created the Ambassador Program to encourage youth involvement in the breed’s activities. The ambassadors represent the AGJA at Gelbvieh functions throughout the year including the National Gelbvieh and Balancer® Show and the national sale in Denver, Colo.

The candidates are judged on their notebook, an oral interview, a speech given at the AGJA Annual Meeting and overall conduct during the annual Junior Classic, the national junior Gelbvieh Show. The notebook includes information and photographs on activities, awards and organizations as well as an essay on the candidate’s background and experiences with the Gelbvieh breed. A committee is appointed to conduct the interviews and select the AGJA Junior Ambassador and Intermediate Ambassador.

Ambassador candidates must be AGJA members and be present at the Classic to be chosen. The junior ambassador is between the age of 8 and 11 years old. The intermediate ambassador is between the age of 12 and 15 years old. Age is based on January 1, 2012. Each ambassador receives a silver belt buckle and an embroidered jacket.

The AGJA is proud to announce the 2012 AGJA Ambassadors, who were selected during the 2012 AGJA Black and Gold Classic held July 1-6 in Chillicothe, Mo. Sydney Bigger, Media, Ill., will serve as the Intermediate Ambassador. Connor Durham, Piedmont, S.C., will serve as the Junior Ambassador.

Sydney Bigger is the daughter of Barry and Jody Bigger. She is an eleventh grade student at West Central High School in Media, Ill. With a 4.0 GPA, she is involved in the Math Team, National Honor Society and Student Council. Outside of school work, she stays active in her community, 4-H club, FFA, and the AGJA. Bigger is a repeat competitor in many of the Classic contests and served as the 2009-2010 AGJA Junior Ambassador. 

With a passion for raising and showing cattle, Bigger is eager to promote the Gelbvieh breed. “My passion for Gelbvieh cattle has taught me many things about both cattle and life,” Bigger says. “I would like to represent the AGJA as an ambassador, to tell all people, agriculture enthusiasts or not, about what raising Gelbvieh cattle can teach you.”

Connor Durham is the son of John and Cindy Durham of Piedmont, S.C. As a sixth grader at Wren Middle School, he is involved with 4-H Livestock Clubs, the National Junior Angus Association, Wren Little League Baseball, Meals on Wheels, and the AGJA. He was the 2010 AGJA Rookie of the Year. In March, he sold a record breaking 312 raffle tickets for the 2012 AGJA Beastrom Donation heifer. Durham received the All-Around Eagle Pass Ranch Donation Heifer at the 2012 National Western Stock Show.

“I participated in my first AGJA Classic in 2010. I quickly fell in love with the event and all it had to offer. I hope to attend the AGJA Classic show every year and hope to one day serve on the Board of Directors,” says Durham.

For more information about the AGJA Ambassador Program, visit www.gelbvieh.org/juniors.

Photo Caption: The American Gelbvieh Junior Association selected two individuals as part of its Ambassador Program. Connor Durham, Piedmont, S.C., (left) will serve as the 2012-2013 AGJA Junior Ambassador. Sydney Bigger, Media, Ill., (right) was selected as the 2012-2013 AGJA Intermediate Ambassador. 

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American Gelbvieh Juniors Elect Leadership

July 13th, 2012 8:43am

The American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) held their annual meeting during the 2012 AGJA Black and Gold Classic in Chillicothe, Mo. AGJA members voted to fill four two-year positions with the AGJA Board of Directors for the 2012-2013 term.

Newly elected directors include Nicole Mattison, the daughter of Scott and Sonia Mattison, Lamberton, Minn., Michael Ring, the nephew of Skylar and Annette Martin, Oregon, Ill., and Justin Vehige, the son of Tom and Stacy Vehige, Bonnets Mill, Mo.

Re-elected to a second term on the board was Van Tucker of Portis, Kan., the son of Gregg and Sandi Tucker.

Following the annual meeting, the AGJA Board selected officers for the 2012-2013 term. Presiding will be Dustin Aherin, Phillipsburg, Kan., and serving as vice president is Grace Hammer of Wallace, Kan. Aherin is the son of Dennis and Joyce Aherin. Hammer is the daughter of Lyle and Christy Hammer.

Selected as vice president of leadership development is Garrett Teeter, the son of Walter and Lee Teeter, Mt. Ulla, N.C. Appointed to the secretary position is Van Tucker. Serving as treasurer is Seth Arp of Arlington, Wisc. Arp is the son of Steve and Betty Arp. Cole Buffo, son of Steve Buffo and Anna Buffo of Lansing, Kan., will fill the role of ex-officio. Christian Hojer, the son of Allen and Pam Hojer of Lake Preston, S.D., will continue his term as a director.

The American Gelbvieh Junior Association serves more than 500 members coast to coast, providing leadership opportunities, scholarships and competition. For more information about AGJA, Gelbvieh or AGA services, visit www.gelbvieh.org or call 303-465-2333. 

Photo caption: These individuals were elected to serve on the American Gelbvieh Junior Association Board of Directors during the junior association’s annual meeting at the 2012 AGJA Black and Gold Classic: (seated from L to R) President Dustin Aherin, Phillipsburg, Kan.; Vice President Grace Hammer, Wallace, Kan.; Vice President of Leadership Garrett Teeter, Mt. Ulla, N.C.; Secretary Van Tucker, Portis, Kan., Treasurer Seth Arp, Arlington, Wisc.; (standing from L to R): Justin Vehige, Bonnets Mill, Mo., Nicole Mattison, Lamberton, Minn., Michael Ring, Oregon, Ill., Christian Hojer, Lake Preston, S.D., and Ex-Officio Cole Buffo, Lansing, Kan.

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American Gelbvieh Association Hires Brian Rogers

July 12th, 2012 11:58am

The American Gelbvieh Association is pleased to announce the hiring of Brian Rogers from College Station, Texas. Brian has accepted the position of central region area coordinator for the Association.

Rogers will receive his Ph. D. in Physiology of Reproduction from Texas A&M University, College Station. Additionally, he holds a Master of Science degree in Agriculture, Animal Science emphasis and a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science, Biology minor, both from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Outside of his strong academic background, Brian has work experience in production agriculture and assisting both seedstock and commercial beef producers. He has built his own purebred cattle operation, Rogers Cattle and Marketing in Big Sandy, Texas. He was the interim manager of the Stephen F. Austin State University Beef Center, managing 200 commercial cows. Brian has also worked for a couple of purebred cattle operations assisting in their managing and marketing decisions. Furthermore, Brian was a speaker at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course held in August 2011 at College Station.  

“Brian will be an asset in the field for the American Gelbvieh Association, marketing and promoting the Gelbvieh breed. His education coupled with his work experience made him the prime candidate for the area coordinator position. Brian is highly respected among his peers. He possesses the beef industry knowledge, production experience, and marketing ability to be able to assist seedstock and commercial producers add value and create pull through demand for their Gelbvieh genetics,” said Frank Padilla, director of breed promotion for the American Gelbvieh Association. 

As the central region area coordinator, Brian will work with Gelbvieh members and commercial producers who use Gelbvieh and Balancer® genetics. He will also handle central region advertising sales for the American Gelbvieh Association’s publications, Gelbvieh World and The Profit Picture.

“I am excited to be the new central regional area coordinator for the American Gelbvieh Association. The strengths of the Gelbvieh breed – moderate mature cow size, low birth weights, more pounds weaned per cow exposed, and carcass cutability – make Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls and females the best choice for commercial cow-calf producers. Please feel free to contact me about how I can assist you,” commented Rogers.

Rogers is currently stationed out of College Station, Texas and represents the central region of the United States. He can be reached at 936-554-1600 or brianr@gelbvieh.org.

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Kansas Man Inducted into American Gelbvieh Association Hall of Fame

January 30th, 2012 2:07pm

Roger Gatz of Hiawatha, Kan., was the 2012 inductee into the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Hall of Fame. Created as a means to recognize those who have made a lasting contribution to the growth and development of the Gelbvieh breed through the influence of the cattle they have bred, breed promotion efforts or leadership provided to the AGA, the prestigious Hall of Fame award is given annually to a deserving individual. 

An avid promoter of the Gelbvieh breed and a distinguished list of accomplishments more than qualify Roger to join the nearly 30 other individuals or couples who have a permanent place on the AGA Hall of Fame at the AGA headquarters.

Roger’s 25 years of continued service to the Gelbvieh breed began in 1983 with a publication called “Gelbvieh U.S.” Targeted to commercial cattleman, many Gelbvieh breeders credit the publication with generating interest in using Gelbvieh bulls on predominantly British-based cows in the 1980s. In 1986, Roger began working for the American Gelbvieh Association as a fieldman. Soon after, he helped the AGA produce its first in-house, association-owned publication “Gelbvieh World” in July/August of 1986. Roger has continued to provide his services to the association by providing breed promotion photos, contributing to “Gelbvieh World” ad sales and providing marketing expertise.

In his role as a fieldman, Roger saw a need for a sales management firm within the Gelbvieh breed. In 1988 Roger began Cattleman’s Connection to promote and manage Gelbvieh only sales throughout the U.S. Five years later, Roger expanded Cattleman’s Connection to include semen sales of only Gelbvieh bulls. While business has expanded to include additional breeds, Roger continually promotes Gelbvieh.

When elected to the AGA Board of Directors in 1997, Roger contributed his marketing expertise to co-manage the National Gelbvieh Sale. Two of the three sales he co-managed were the top averaging sales of all breeds during the National Western Stock Show. For the past two years, Roger once again took up the management role and provided his services to manage the National Gelbvieh Sale. With a total gross of $212,000, the average for the 2012 sale was a 20 percent increase over last year’s sale, and a 75 percent increase from the sale two years ago.

Further proof of Roger’s commitment to the American Gelbvieh Association has been his attendance at 24 of the last 25 AGA annual conventions. Moreover, he can make the same claim regarding his attendance at the American Gelbvieh Junior Association’s junior national show held each summer. 

Roger is also an active leader outside of the American Gelbvieh Association. He is a member of the Kansas Livestock Association and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. He is a founding member of the Hiawatha FFA chapter, where he still devotes many hours of his time. As well, Roger is a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Hiawatha where he is also an usher.

In a letter of support for Roger’s nomination into the Hall of Fame, Judd Ranch, Inc., of Pomona, Kan., stated, “Roger Gatz has been the Gelbvieh breed’s number 1 ambassador and promoter for more than 25 years. His cattle knowledge combined with his belief in, and commitment to, the Gelbvieh breed is unparalleled and has influenced numerous individuals to become seedstock producers and an untold number of commercial cattlemen to incorporate Gelbvieh genetics in to their program.”

The American Gelbvieh Association Hall of Fame induction took place during the 2012 AGA “Blazing New Trails” annual convention held January 4-7 in Denver, Colo. Roger Gatz’s contributions, promotion and dedication to the AGA and the Gelbvieh breed are remarkable and deserving of a place in the American Gelbvieh Association Hall of Fame.

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Photo Caption [2012 AGA Hall of Fame_Roger Gatz with Peg_5518]: Roger Gatz, pictured with his wife Peg, of Hiawatha, Kan., was the 2012 inductee into the American Gelbvieh Association Hall of Fame.

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Goes Receives Gelbvieh Association Member of Year

January 27th, 2012 2:04pm

Mark Goes of Odell, Neb., was named the 2012 American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Member of the Year. The AGA Member of the Year award is presented annually to an outstanding member who gives their time, talent, and dedication to further the improvement of their state and national association. This year’s honoree has selflessly given his time and talent on each level, exemplifying the qualities and attributes of the award.

Mark has been very active in the Gelbvieh breed and the livestock industry. He has been a member of the Gelbvieh Association in Nebraska (GAIN) since 1987 and the American Gelbvieh Association since 1988 as owner of M&P Gelbvieh, which he owns with his wife Patti and daughter Tricia.

Mark has served on the Board of Directors for each association, lending his time and input to shape the direction of both associations. He has been a director for seven of the past eight years with GAIN, where he worked to create the GAIN field representative position. Currently, Mark serves on the AGA Board of Directors, and was recently elected as the 28th president of the American Gelbvieh Association. Additionally, he has chaired numerous AGA committees including productivity, finance and national show and has written six published articles in Gelbvieh World.

As a champion for youth, Mark and Patti have been junior GAIN sponsors for the last ten years. Moreover, Mark has played an instrumental role in developing and carrying out the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) live carcass evaluation contest. His efforts brought the contest from a concept to a reality. Recently, Mark and Patti served on the AGJA Twister Classic host committee which planned and carried out a very successful national show for more than 150 AGJA exhibitors and their families.

M&P Gelbvieh has built a reputation of raising high-quality and showring-competitive cattle. M&P Gelbvieh has exhibited cattle at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) for ten years and taken home many purple ribbons. In 2005, PMG Pegasus 01P, a bull bred and raised by M&P Gelbvieh, was named champion of the Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Bull Futurity. They have also exhibited cattle many times at the American Royal, and in 2010 showed the reserve grand champion Balancer® female.

Outside of M&P Gelbvieh, Mark is an instructor of livestock production at the Beatrice campus of Southeast Community College located in southeast Nebraska. In 1999, Mark was responsible for adding a registered Gelbvieh and Balancer herd to the beef program at SCC. Southeast Community College has hosted multiple Gelbvieh tours with a variety of guests including representatives from the Canadian Gelbvieh Association. As an instructor, Mark has been a mentor to SCC students by helping them to exhibit and market Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle at state sales as well as the NWSS and the National Gelbvieh Sale.

With a desire to stay on the forefront of issues influencing the beef industry, Mark has attended multiple Beef Improvement Federation meetings, and represented AGA at the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium meetings. Mark served as a member of the steering committee for the Nebraska Grazing Conference and is a member of the Nebraska Cattleman’s Association. He was the first certified ultrasound technician in Nebraska and has been performing ultrasound services to Gelbvieh breeders since 1997.

The American Gelbvieh Association was honored to recognize Mark as the 2012 Member of the Year during the AGA “Blazing New Trails” annual convention held January 4-7 in Denver, Colo. His countless hours of time and dedication to Gelbvieh organizations set a remarkable example for all AGA members to follow.

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Photo caption [2012 AGA Member of Year_Mark Goes]:  Mark Goes (center) of Odell, Neb., was the 2012 American Gelbvieh Association Member of the Year. Pictured with Mark are his daughter Tricia (left) and wife Patti (right).

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