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The 1960's was the golden
era for purebred cattle breeding in the United States.
It was a time when large
numbers of cattle were recorded in breed registries.
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by J. D. Roussel, PhD.,
Louisiana State University
Then came the 70's and 80's when
European Cattle or exotics were introduced to purebred breeders. Elaborate
facilities and high priced cattle sales were signs of the times.
These were cattle with funny names
and multiple colors from the shores of Europe. Simmental, Limousin,
Gelbvieh, Maine Anjou, Chianina and others were becoming common breeds
in our pastures.
The beef cattle industry is now
in an era of biotechnology. Revolutionary changes are taking place
and many new ideas are being presented. The 1990's will be known as
the era of Composites.
The increased competition for
market share from the hog and poultry industries are forcing us to
produce a more efficient and competitive animal.
The role of the cow/calf producer
has no changes. The key to the producer's success is basically as
it has been in the past:
1) Production: a calf every
12 months from each cow
2) Weaning weights: as many pounds of calf produced per acre
of land as economically practical.
3) Cost of production: cost per
pounds of calf produced as low as possible while maintaining productivity.
The Gelbray Breed of cattle is in a unique position
to capitalize on these traditional goals. The combination of Gelbvieh,
Red Angus and Brahman genetics has proven Gelbray to be a maternal breed
with the ability to sire slaughter calves suitable for feedlots and
packing plants in the United States.
The most important trait in any
breed of Cattle is reproduction. Reproductive performance is 10 times
more important than growth traits and growth traits are five times more
important than carcass traits.
We cannot forget that pounds of
calf weaned per cow exposed puts money in the pockets of the commercial
cattleman. This point is most important to breeders and must always
be considered.
Calving problems in Beef Cattle
are predominately related to breed of dam effect. Thus, Gelbray are
able to control the size of their calves simply because the Brahman
influence further supports this strong maternal breed.
It has also been documented that
Brahman (Bos-Indicus) female will typically produce a calf that
weighs about 6 1/2% of her body weight, whereas the Bos-Taurus
such as Gelbvieh and Angus cows will produce between 7 to 8% of their
body weight in calf birth.
Calving ease and maternal traits
are of interest to all cattle producers. Unassisted births are the rule
- not the exception.
The environment makes raising cattle
more difficult in some regions. The southern states find summer heat,
insects and other pests are tough on cattle. The northern states find
the cold winters and limited forage hard on cattle.
That is why producers have utilized
composite breeding to develop environmental adaptability and hardiness
in the Commercial Beef Industry.
The combination of Gelbvieh, Red
Angus and Brahman cattle, with its proven reproductive efficiency and
pre-weaning performance, will also perform post-weaning. In addition,
Gelbray will produce a carcass that is market acceptable. Its economic
traits are:
| Fertility
|
Gelbvieh & Red
Angus |
| Early Puberty |
Gelbvieh |
| Calving Ease |
Brahman |
| Milk Production & Mothering
Ability |
Gelbvieh, Red Angus & Brahman |
| Efficiency |
Gelbvieh, Red Angus & Brahman
|
| Beef Production/ Cutability
& Quality |
Gelbvieh & Red Angus |
| Uniform Type & Color |
Gelbvieh & Red Angus
|
| Adaptability/Survivability |
Brahman |
Gelbray demonstrates the use of a cross breeding
system to maintain heterosis (approximately 67% on a long term breeding
program without purchasing outside animals).
Animal scientists say three breed composites
like Gelbray can retain 67% of the hybrid vigor they generate while
other two cross breeds cannot.
The goals of the Gelbray Breed
are:
1) Keep a Gelbvieh, Red Angus
and Brahman composite.
2) Maintain reproductive efficiency.
3) Maintain 500+ pounds at weaning.
4) Maintain a 3+ pound gain in the feedlot.
5) Produce calves of acceptable yield grade and carcass quality.
The breeder is allowed maximum flexibility
in his matings. In developing a profitable genetic program the best
traits for the herd can be selected for a balanced cowherd.
The blood percentages for an animal to be registerable
as a Gelbray allows breeders in all regions to select cattle that
will best perform in their pastures.
Those percentages are:
1) Maximum 3/4 Gelbvieh --
minimum 1/4 Gelbvieh = Gelbray
2) Maximum 1/2 Red Angus -- minimum 0 Red Angus = Gelbray
3) Maximum 3/8 Brahman -- minimum 1/8 Brahman = Gelbray
A 3 Generation Pedigree is developed
from each mating by the use of registered cattle. It is possible to
take advantage of the Gelbray genetic difference through simple and
uncomplicated matings. Some examples of one step breeding resulting
in a Gelbray could be:
1)
100% Gelbvieh x 50% Red Angus x 50% Brahman = Gelbray
2) 100% Gelbvieh x
100% Red Brangus = Gelbray
3) 100% Gelbray x 50%
Gelbvieh x 50% Red Angus = Gelbray
One breed cannot fit everyone's
needs. Neither will a single breed be the answer. To be successful
you must fit your cowherd to your ranch and put a bull on those cows
that will compliment them and produce a highly marketable calf.
Gelbray combines the "right
kind" of breed genetics that will allow its breeders to effectively
compete for the "meat dollar". Don't forget ... the animal pedigree
tells you what the animal should be and performance data tells you
what the animal is.
Reference:
Gelbray International, Box 2177,
Ardmore, OK 73402 Phone: (580) 223-5771
Photographs:
Gelbray International, Box 2177,
Ardmore, OK 73402 Phone: (580) 223-5771
Our thanks to
Dr. Michael L. Thonney, Professor of Animal Science, Cornell University
for acquiring these materials.
Copyright © 1997, 2002. Oklahoma
State University Board of Regents. All rights reserved.
