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Top Gelbvieh genetics come to South Australia

Editorial | August 2006

A new sire has arrived for Margaret Wilksch and Gelbvieh Australia P/L for the GA Gelbvieh Stud.

Norolle PLD Zephyr Z34 arrive in late May just in time to be mated to three of the oldest matrons in the stud resulting in twenty-two embryos. Since then he has been out working in the GA herd. Zephyr Z34 comes from some of the best Gelbvieh genetics in Australia. His dam Norolle Lady in Red T62 was Brisbane Gelbvieh Grand Champion 2001 and paired with Absolute Power to be Interbreed Champion Pair. His grand sire DDM Mr Sherman Tank was also Grand sire of Absolute Power, the sire of the 2006 Beef Week Interbreed Champion Bull. Zephyr's dam and her full sister have won many Championships at Sydney, Brisbane Shows and Beef week at 2000, 2003 and now 2006.

It was an unforgettable Beef Expo for owners Michael Jackson and family's Double D Gelbvieh Stud, Guyra NSW. Gelbvieh Grand Champion Bull (sire was purchased from Noroole Stud) was 'jewel in the crown at Beef 2006' when he went on to become the Interbreed Champion Bull. 23 month old Double D Zulu is the son of Norolle Absolute Power from dam Double J Vanity.

In the Beef Week Gelbvieh section Norolle Lady in Red exhibited by Clyde and Alison Johnson, Norolle Stud Millmerran, was Reserve Senior Cow and Junior Champion male was Norolle GK Ziggy Z37 by JRI PLD Peterbilt.

Feed efficiency makes Gelbvieh Gold

By Catherine Miller | Smartfarmer | October 2006

ADELAIDE HILLS stud breeder Margaret Wilksch was sold on the Gelbvieh breed because of their status as one of the most feed efficient breeds on both grass and grain. So much so she imported 10 of the first 25 heifers to enter the country in 1988 from the Canada as a suitable cross for her well-established Murray Grey stud and commercial operation. The Murray Greys were later dispersed with the sale of the family farm but Margaret has retained an elite herd of 20 to 30 Gelbvieh females on her small Flaxley property, under the Gelbvieh Australia Pty Ltd banner.

Since the first importation, 7000 of the yellow-orange cattle descended from Germany have been registered in Australia and there are more than 250 members of the Australian Gelbvieh Association. Lesser well-known than many European breeds, Margaret says the Gelbvieh has an even carcase distribution of muscle and fat; and their calm, docile nature makes them the ideal breed for small acreages. Most European breeds' main role is as a terminal sire but Margaret says the Gelbvieh heifer progeny can also be retained for breeding- renowned for their high fertility and excellent milk production.

There are numerous Angus and other British Breeds mated to Gelbvieh bulls, throughout Australia and in northern NSW and Queensland there are many large Gelbvieh-Braham herds thriving in the station country. And while not strong for colour with many Gelbvieh crosses losing their trademark yellow/gold colour they have become a well kept secret in many profitable beef businesses. "If you cross with a Gelbvieh it is an instant 25pc extra growth and with Gelbvieh crosses you can wean something the trade is looking for around 200kg dressed- whereas British breeds you need to wait 15 to 16 months for that sort of weight," she said. "The Murray Grey crosses look like a Murray Grey with the extra hybrid vigour and over a Hereford the Gelbvieh gives more height and size," Margaret said.

At this year's SA Beef Field Days, GA stud sold nine bulls to a SE commercial breeder and feedlotter and Margaret admits there is a need for more SA based Gelbvieh breeders to push the breed forward. Earlier this year Margaret purchased new stud sire Norolle Zephyr Z34 who has been mated to GA's top females producing 22 embryos and he is now at work in the stud.

At the world's biggest beef event, Queensland's Beef Expo 2006 a Gelbvieh bull bred from a Norolle stud bull took out the All Breeds champion bull. Gelbvieh steers have also shown their superior weight for age in the marketplace and in February some 13 month old Gelbvieh steers from Norolle topped the Toowoomba market averaging 582.5kg and $1,145.20 average. Margaret says her cattle are quiet, easy to handle and bred for very moderate birth weights and fast growing calves. "Gelbviehs are promoted as the preferred European breed for cross breeding and cross breeding is a better way to go if you are a commercial operation," Margaret said.