GELBVIEH

5656 kg. Milk 4.18% fat 3.60% protein in 2001 herdbook cows
The Gelbvieh (pronounced GEL-FEE) or yellow cattle, trace back to an early 19th century crossbreeding project involving the Keltic-German Landrace of Northern Bavaria and Simmental, Shorthorn and Heil-Brown Landrace cattle. The result was a dual purpose beef breed. Gelbvieh were first imported from Germany in 1972. This breed is known for fast growth, efficient feed conversion, added fertility, calving ease and excellent milk production.
Gelbvieh excel in there performance traits because the German government's "Planned Mating Program" is one of the world's most stringent selection programs, and this program is more than 25 years old. Only 3% of all registered cows qualify to produce the new AI sires based on breeding values, structural correctness and conformation.
Progency tests are conducted on only half of the performance tested bulls. Offspring from young sires are studied for gestation length, birth weights and calving ease. Male progeny are tested additionally for growth rate, slaughter weight and carcass quality and the heifers are scored for conformation, udder soundness, fertility, weight, and milk production.
More than 110 years of breeding and selection produced the Gelbvieh we know today. Semen is released in Germany if these tests prove a bull superior.
Full blooded Gelbvieh are reddish-gold to russet with fine, dense hair and well pigmented skin, creating resistance to udder and eye disease. Physically, Gelbvieh are well balanced, long bodied with structural soundness and dark hard hooves. This moderately large breed transmits impressive beef characteristics in cross breeding programs. Mature bulls typically weigh between 2,000-2,400 lbs. Adult cows usually weigh 1,150-1,350 lbs. with 1,200 about average. They exhibit a long smooth muscle pattern without excessive "bulginess".
Proper selection has added among other traits, docility, an added plus for those managing bull tests cow herds and feedlots. The USDA has documented that Gelbvieh cows are exceptionally fertile. Cattlemen are continuously impressed with the short calving seasons in most of the nation's Gelbvieh herds. A 92% calf drop from mature females is not unusual, according to many research studies. Many cows calve up to 15 years old. U.S. cattlemen are finding Gelbvieh females mature early and calve easily at 24 months.
Unassisted births are the rule not the exception. In one particular study, Gelbvieh cows produced 99% live calf drop with minimum calving difficulties, and heifers produced 97.3%. Birth weights range from 65-95 lbs.
Gelbvieh cows average more than 8,000 lbs of milk per lactation and 4% butter fat. This milk produciton ensures sufficient energy for fat growing claves. Strongly attached udders enable the milk flow to adapt to the calves needs.
Cattle capable of producing extra beef or faster ADGs per lb of feed or acre of forage probably best defines feed efficiency. Conversion efficiency traits are valid only at regulated test centers. Gelbvieh's feed conversion ranks favorably.
Gelbvieh are known throughout Germany for their carcass weight per day of age, dressing percentage and palatability. In the U.S. Gelbvieh steers are winning carcass contests. For example, a purebred steer produced the champion carcass at the 1982 Southwest Utah contest. The 1,135 lb. calf had a backfat thickness of .15 inches and a ribeye area of 13.6 sq. inches. It also had a 1.5 yield grade with 2% fat.
Gelbvieh genetics enhance crossbreeding programs, they can be used as terminal sires to contribute more growth. Gelbvieh cross bred females make excellent replacements, and thus fit into rotational crossbreeding programs. Gelbvieh's balanced performance allows commercial cattlemen to produce feeder cattle, seedstock or both depending on market conditions. Superior maternal and growth traits qualify Gelbvieh for any commercial crossbreeding program.
Effectifs
14 000 vaches dont 6 143 contrôlées

Qualités laitières
production laitière : 4 718 kg
taux butyreux : 36,1 ‰
taux azoté : 33,7 ‰

Qualités bouchères
poids de carcasse de taurillons ( 17 mois) : 290 kg
rendement commercial : 56 %
dépots adipeux : 16%

Zuchtverband für Gelbvieh in Bayern
Ottostr. 21,
D - 96047 Bamberg, Germany
PH: 49 - 951 - 24 520