The American Gelbvieh Foundation has two programs that work to increase the volume of carcass data and provides members the opportunity to participate in breed improvement.
The Scale and Rail Sire-Identified Steer Contest is aimed at increasing the flow of sire-identified carcass data into the American Gelbvieh Association database to assist in improving carcass traits of Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics. The AGF Steer Challenge allows foundation supporters to donate the earning from a steer to benefit breed improvement efforts.
Post Rock Cattle Company of Barnard, Kansas, is an annual participant in the AGF Scale and Rail Contest and Steer Challenge and uses the data collected to make selection decisions in their herd.
“We use the contest to collect a lot of data and keep us in line. I think it’s one of the most valuable things the AGF does and it’s a wonderful opportunity to verify the genetics in your herd,” said Leland Clark, Post Rock Cattle Company.
While marbling score is not the main focus of the operation, the data collected has given an understanding of how the genetics perform in the feedlot and on the rail.
“We have learned a lot from participating in the contest. A couple of years ago, we had a bull that by his ultrasound data on his calves told us we had more marbling than the bull was showing on his carcass (expected progeny differences). So, we sent a group of six head in a herd sire group to the contest and sure enough, he won the sire group award and had the high individual,” explained Clark. “The contest verified the ultrasound data and when we turned the carcass data into the AGA, his EPDs now reflect the carcass traits he has.”
The data collected throughout the contest allows operations to see their genetics in different stages of the production cycle and determine the direction of their selection decisions.
“The main part of the success that our steers had is just picking the right kind of base cowherd. Cows that have real rib, the ability to gain some flesh, actual base width about them, and real yield,” explained Kyle Cavalli, Post Rock Cattle Company. “We like marbling in the carcass, but the ability to gain is really the bottom dollar there. I think that’s paramount to the performance you can see in the data we’ve got back allows us to see how well the herd sires perform and what they’re putting into the calf crop.”
Post Rock Cattle Company encourages all Gelbvieh breeders and commercial cattlemen to participate in the contest as the data collected will only propel the breed forward in the market and genetic accuracy.
2022 Steer Challenge Champions
The results are in, and Champions have been awarded in the 2022 American Gelbvieh Foundation Scale and Rail Contest and Steer Challenge. The contest harvested 90 head from 15 participants, awarding $3,625 total in cash prizes and 21 banners sponsored by the AGF.
The steers had an excellent overall performance with an average daily gain of 4.12 pounds per head per day and a dry matter feed conversion of 6.19:1. The AGF extends a special thank you to Kinsley Feeders of Kinsley, Kansas, and Derek Martin, for hosting and supporting the contest.
The steers were harvested at National Beef in Dodge City, Kansas, and sold on the USPB grid. Thank you to Stuart Jarvis for donating the USPB delivery rights. The steers had an average hot carcass weight of 973 pounds with 92% having a yield grade of 1, 2, or 3, 79% grading USDA Prime or USDA Choice, and an overall average marbling score of 479.
Scale and Rail Contest results
The Scale and Rail Contest awarded $1,625 in cash prizes and 15 banners to outstanding participants in both the Gelbvieh and Balancer divisions.
Champion average daily gain Gelbvieh steer Tag: 218J1 Average Daily Gain: 4.78 pounds Quality Grade: USDA Choice Yield Grade: 2 Owned By: Post Rock Cattle Co. Sired By: RNBG 32F9
Champion average daily gain Balancer steer Tag: 718 Average Daily Gain: 5.04 pounds Quality Grade: USDA Choice Yield Grade: 3 Owned By: Boehler Gelbvieh Sired By: SB Shootout 725
Champion carcass value Gelbvieh steer Tag: J1K Carcass Value: $2,402.37 Quality Grade: USDA Choice Yield Grade: 3 Owned By: Lucky Cross Ranch Sired By: VRT Lazy TV Sam U451
Champion carcass value Balancer steer Tag: 5353 Carcass Value: $2,582.74 Quality Grade: USDA Prime Yield Grade: 3 Owned By: Ed Lavarentz Sired By: SKF Dunn’s Escander 023E
Champion pen of Gelbvieh steers Pen Value: $6,700.86 Pen Quality Grade: USDA Choice Pen Yield Grade: 2 Owned By: Post Rock Cattle Co. Sired By: RNBG 32F9
Champion pen of Balancer steers Pen Value: $7,071.84 Pen Quality Grade: USDA Choice Pen Yield Grade: 3 Owned By: Post Rock Cattle Co. Sired By: JRI Probity 254D28
Reserve Champion pen of Balancer steers Pen Value: $6,980.41 Pen Quality Grade: USDA Choice Pen Yield Grade: 3 Owned By: Cedar Top Ranch Sired By: CCMF Mr. Payweight 19C ET
Steer challenge results Participants of the 2022 Steer Challenge were awarded $2,000 in cash prizes and six banners. All five participants—Boehler Gelbvieh, Flying H Genetics, Grund Beef Genetics, Lucky Cross Ranch, and Wilkinson Gelbvieh— donated $1,000 to the AGF.
Champion average daily gain Tag: 718 Average Daily Gain: 5.04 pounds Quality Grade: USDA Choice Yield Grade: 3 Owned By: Boehler Gelbvieh Sired By: SB Shootout 725
Champion carcass value Tag: 718 Carcass Value: $2,429.06 Quality Grade: USDA Choice Yield Grade: 3 Owned By: Boehler Gelbvieh Sired By: SB Shootout 725
To view complete results and learn more about the contests, visit gelbvieh.org/foundation/projects.
For more information on how to participate in the steer challenge, contact Tom Strahm, commercial marketing director at [email protected].
