45 Years of Gelbvieh at Agribition
In the first 50 years the 'Show Ring' influenced the frame score of the Gelbvieh breed that was desired by our beef industry. In the 1950's we experienced what we called 'the belt buckle era' where our show bulls from the British breeds were no taller than your belt buckle. When Gelbvieh first stepped foot on the North American continent, our Canadian beef industry desired larger carcasses. Eventually consumers found the large cuts too large and by the early 1990's frame score had peaked. Our Gelbvieh breeders quickly adapted and reduced frame score to meet our packers demand.
The first Gelbvieh show at Agribition was in 1977. The Grand Champion bull was BBB MR BRAVO 557H exhibited by the Bodin Brothers from Hartney, MB. The Grand Champion female was TAWX MISS BONITA 1J exhibited by Don McLennan from Blackfalds, AB.
Heizer's Dynamic Lady was imported in 1973 by Rendezvous Farms, Ste. Rose du Lac MB and sold at the first
National Sale for $49,000 to Sun Ranches Ltd. in partnership with Dwight Woody. She went on to have 12 registered progeny, only 2 were embryo transfer calves.
1999 was the first year of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Supreme Challenge at Agribition. Cash prizes and sponsored AG products are a great enticement. Invitations are given to the Grand Champions at the major shows across Canada. A panel of 5 judges is chosen to reflect diversity. Only the top male and female get the winning slap and the other 18 animals are considered to have earned second place in front of a packed show ring including international visitors. DVE Red Wrap 26G bred and owned by Davidson Gelbvieh represented the Gelbvieh breed in the very first year of the RBC Challenge along with MGF Uptown Girl 1E ET bred and owned by Maple Grove Gelbvieh. Over the next 22 years two other Gelbvieh females made it into the top 10 at the RBC Supreme; VV Wind Zong 45Z owned by Stone Gate Farm and ZTM 301P Emma 27T owned by McCoy Cattle Co. Three bulls also made it in the top 10 RBC Supreme Beef Challenge; SLC Outback 142X owned by Severtson Land & Cattle and Goodview Gelbvieh, VV Zake 114Z owned by V&V Farms and exhibited by Stone Gate Farm, and RWG Right
Combination 550G owned by Royal Western Gelbvieh.
1999 also marked the first annual Sweetheart Classic. Held with Agribition every year, the Sweetheart Classic is open to Gelbvieh females of any age who are at least 50% Gelbvieh and who are entered in the Agribi
tion show. Females under two years of age must be 100% available to the draw winner. Membership to the jackpot is $300 which entitles the member to one voting ballot, entry into drawdown prizes and a commemorative sweater. The last name drawn the day after the show during the parade of females will win the right to choose any female entered in the Sweetheart Classic following the terms of the exhibitor. The member exhibiting the female chosen by the membership through votes will receive 10% of the futurity pot. The female chosen by the draw winner will receive 90% of the pot. Anyone is welcome to purchase a membership to the Sweetheart Classic and memberships can be purchased right up until the event.
Sweetheart Champ 1999 with caption: DTJ HARA FREE 24H was the first Sweetheart Champion in 1999 exhibited by DRJ Gelbvieh
Sweetheart Champ 2021 with caption: TIP MISS
JASMIN 65J ET, the 2021 Sweetheart Champion. An example of the quality Gelbvieh genetics up for grabs.
This year the National Gelbvieh Show and Sale are being held in conjunction with Agribition in Regina celebrating the Canadian Gelbvieh Association's 50th anniversary. Everyone is welcome to watch the show on November 30th starting at 2PM. There will be 86 head of the best Gelbvieh genetics available on display. On December 1st the banquet will be held at the Royal Executive Hotel by Wyndam at 6PM in conjunction with the National Gelbvieh video sale starting at 7:30PM. Tickets for the banquet are available through the CGA, contact Sarah at 403-250-8640. We look forward to seeing everyone and reflecting on the breed through the past 50 years and where the breed is going. Gelbvieh has been able to adapt with the changing demand of the beef industry in North America and will continue to be the mother breed of beef because the females are the foundation of any herd. Gelbvieh females produce at a profit. Calving ease without sacrificing performance at weaning will set up any purebred or commercial producer for success.