The Gelbvieh breed cattle originated from Germany during the mid-18th century within the three eastern regions of Bavaria known as Franconian districts.
These cattle breeds were easily recognizable with their distinctive red- yellow color for which they were popularly referred to as the red-yellow Franconian cattle.
The breed was developed by selectively cross breeding several known local cattle breeds specifically for the purpose of milk, draught, and beef. However in recent times they have been bred for the sole purpose of their production for beef.
The German word Gelbvieh when translated means yellow cattle respective to the origination of the cattle breed with its dark hooves, golden brown color and full bodied pigmentation.
Through genetic manipulation and selective breeding processes variants of black and polled Gelbvieh cattle can now be found widespread among the breed. The Gelbvieh breed cattle are generally known for their efficiency in feeding and high gain rate, earning them popularity among breeders and ranch hands as they were commonly selected for their quick mature rate, leanness, docile temperament, easy growth, the length of loin and their life expectancy.
Due to their specific nature, the Gelbvieh cattle breeds are highly adaptable to a variety of climatic conditions allowing them to be bred in different regions across the globe. Female Gelbvieh cattle breeds have often been selected due to their maternal nature and high fertility rate, mothering instincts, quality milk production and excellent udders.
Not to mention their offspring are known to be significantly smaller in body which allows the ease of calving.
Gelbvieh cattle breeds which are identified as full-blooded are found to be direct descendants of the German Gelbvieh formally registered in the German herd book.
These breeds were originally imported within the United States and Canada allowing purebred Gelbvieh cattle to be bred with the use of external genetic codes to successfully develop and improve certain desired traits within their herds.
Typically during the breeding process females should be at least 88% pure Gelbvieh while the males 94% and over Gelbvieh. Females of male breeds of a lower percentage are referred to as percentage Gelbvieh.
During the mid to later 19th century, local breeders in Germany began combining a variety of several breeds of German cattle to successfully develop what is known today as the Gelbvieh cattle breed in the year 1920.
With the assistance of artificial insemination and to some extent live export, the Gelbvieh cattle breeds today can be found in many countries worldwide such as the United States of America, Spain, Canada, Great Britain, Portugal, South African and even Australia.
Canada was the first country in 1972 to receive the Gelbvieh genetic research from Germany to allow breeding.
This has allowed the beef produced from the Gelbvieh cattle breeds in Canada to this day to be the 6th largest beef bred cattle used with more than 5000 heads registered annually.
The United States in 1971 imported their first Gelbvieh cattle breeds from Germany by Leness Hall, who was the director of International Marketing for Carnation Genetics after viewing the breed in 1969 for the first time. A total of 43,000 heads were recorded to have been imported during that period which led to the formation of the American Gelbvieh Association that same year.
The first American National Gelbvieh Show was held 6 years later in January 1977 in a joint effort with the National Western Stock Show in Colorado, Denver.
Today there are over 46,000 Gelbvieh cattle registered within the United States with an active membership of over 1,400 existing members within the American Gelbvieh Association. The American Gelbvieh Association is the largest known Gelbvieh association today, ranked seventh place among beef producers within the United States.
Several societies aimed at standardizing and improving the Gelbvieh cattle breeds were founded, including the Breed Society for Yellow Franconia Cattle in Nurnburg followed by the Breed Society for Gelbvieh in the Lower regions of Franconia in Wurzburg.
These Societies were charged with the responsibility to ensure pure breeding of the Gelbvieh cattle by selecting the best bulls for breeding to develop a single color breed in addition to improving milk production and work fitness.
The American Gelbvieh Association as a part of its marketing service provides its members with a monthly list of Gelbvieh breeds available for purchase within a variety of locations within the United States. This service in addition allows registered users to post their listings of Gelbvieh cattle breeds for sale.
One of the predominantly owned Gelbvieh breeders is known as the Goldrush Gelbvieh, established in 2005 and founded by Malcolm and Lauren King.
As genetic cattle breeders they have over the years established themselves as breeders of exceptional quality beef cattle that are easy to maintain, highly functional and suited for both commercial and stud cattle breeders.
Kittle Gelbvieh Farms operated in Geraldine Alabama is owned and operated by local John Kittle. Coming up from a strong heritage in cattle farming John Kittle grew up in the cattle farming business with his grandparents during the 1970 Cattle Depression.
Today they are one of the best producers of quality calves with low birth weights and docile temperament with a high milking ability and excellent growth rates.
Canadian breeding bulls with semen for sale are required by mandate to be registered within Canadian Gelbvieh Association having their respective percentage value verified and an on file record of their DNA genotype.
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