In this edition, find opportunities to advertise in January Gelbvieh World, participate in the 2024 AGF Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail Contest, Gelbvieh and Balancer® National Show and Sale information, and AGA National Convention details.

Upcoming AGA Office Closures

On behalf of all of us at AGA, we wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving! We hope your holiday is filled with great food and many memories with your family.

The AGA office will be closed Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Additionally, the office will be closed from November 28-December 1 for staff to attend the 53rd Annual American Gelbvieh Association National Convention. Our office will resume regular business hours on Monday, December 4.

AGA National Convention Tour

The industry tour at this year's AGA National Convention will be visiting Merck Animal Health at their Manufacturing & Supply Division in Elkhorn, Nebraska. This facility is devoted to vaccines and biologics for livestock and companion animals. Attendees will learn directly from and have the opportunity to interact with Merck scientists about the vaccine, equipment and protocols as well as gain insight into production, distribution and regulations.

The tour will take place the morning of Thursday, November 30. Transportation from the convention-site hotel will be provided. Be sure to register for convention to join us on the tour!

AGA Board Election

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) nominating committee recommends the following seven candidates to fill the five open positions on the AGA board of directors. Additional nominations may be accepted from the floor during the annual meeting.

Greg "Bubba" Anderson, North Carolina

Troy Forbes, South Dakota

William McIntosh, Kentucky (seeking re-election)

Kathleen Rankin, Montana

Mark Stock, Iowa

Justin Taubenheim, Nebraska

Dan Warner, Nebraska

The election for the AGA board of directors will take place during the AGA Annual Meeting at 10:00 a.m. CST on Friday, December 1, 2023, during the 53rd Annual AGA National Convention in Omaha, Nebraska.

Absentee ballots must be returned to the AGA office by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 27, 2023, to be counted at the annual meeting during the AGA board of directors' election to be held Friday, December 1.

As a reminder, to be an eligible voting member at the AGA Annual Meeting, or for absentee ballots to be counted, the membership must be in good standing with the Association, which means that membership dues must be paid, and the account balance must be current.

Chemical Spill Causes Delay in November Gelbvieh World Mailing

One of the facilities that processes some of our mailing in St. Joeseph, Missouri, had a chemical spill which has caused a shutdown and significant delays. The facility is back up and running and there should not be any further delays. November's magazine should be on its way to your mailbox soon. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you do not receive your copy, please contact Megan Underwood, AGA communications coordinator, at meganunderwood@gelbvieh.org to have one mailed to you.

Please view the online version of the November 2023 Gelbvieh World at the link below:

NEW! Mail Your Sale Catalog With Gelbvieh World

Send your sale catalog to AGA members and 3000 commercial producers by polybagging with any of our Gelbvieh World issues. Please contact Malerie Markley, AGA multimedia coordinator, at malerie@gelbvieh.org for pricing and to reserve your space.

Participate in the 2024 AGF Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail Contest

The American Gelbvieh Foundation (AGF) is currently accepting entries for the upcoming Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail Contest. Steers should be delivered December 11-15, 2023, to Kinsley Feeders, located near Kinsley, Kansas. For more information, please visit the AGF Projects page on Gelbvieh.org, or contact Tom Strahm, AGA commercial marketing director, at 785-547-7999 or email tom@gelbvieh.org.

DNA Parentage Exclusions

As we move into another busy year of DNA testing, we wanted to provide some tools to help you clear up any parentage exclusions that may come your way.

When placing a DNA order in the registry, there is an option to add additional sires or dams if there is a chance the animal could be out of a different parent than it is registered to. We also encourage you to utilize your Quick Sire list and keep it up to date. Once your results are uploaded into the registry, any parentage exclusions are first checked against any additional sires, multi-sire groups, or dams listed, then against the sires or dams in the order, and finally, for sires, your Quick Sire list. If unsuccessful, the DNA team will then reach out asking for additional options.

If you receive parentage exclusions on a DNA order, providing a list of registration numbers for sires and dams for each calf is most helpful in clearing up parentage issues. Contact the AGA office via phone at 303-465-2333 or email a list to dna@gelbvieh.org.

National Sale Consignment Opportunities

AGA members interested in consigning animals to the 2024 Gelbvieh and Balancer National Sale should contact Matt Sims, sale manager, at 405-641-6081 or matt@mcsauction.com, or Tom Strahm, AGA commercial marketing director, at 785-547-7999 or tom@gelbvieh.org, for more information. The National Sale will be held during Cattlemen's Congress on Monday, January 1.

2024 AGA National Show Entries

Entries are open for the 2024 AGA National Show being held in conjunction with the 2024 Cattlemen's Congress in Oklahoma City. A full schedule of Gelbvieh and Balancer events can be found by clicking HERE.

Dates to Remember:

December 1 - Junior Breeding Heifer Ownership Deadline

December 5 - Late Entry Deadline

Helpful Links:

Gelbvieh and Balancer Premium Book

Facility and Stalling Map

Cattlemen's Congress Homepage

Cattlemen's Congress Event Schedule

Cattlemen's Congress Hotel Accommodations

A block of rooms is available at the Gelbvieh headquarters hotel - Embassy Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Will Rogers Airport. Rooms are $129.00/night plus tax under the American Gelbvieh Association Group Block. Room rate includes free parking, hotel shuttle, complimentary evening reception and cooked-to-order breakfast.

Reservations can be made online using the link below. Reservations should be made by December 13 to receive group pricing.

Cattlemen's Congress DNA Requirements

To help members be prepared for Gelbvieh and Balancer events taking place during Cattlemen's Congress in Oklahoma City, we've put together the helpful chart below. All DNA testing should be ordered as soon as possible to allow plenty of time for results prior to the event. Testing can be ordered through the AGA Online Registry Service. Contact the AGA office or email dna@gelbvieh.org for further assistance.

2024 Show Season Details

The 2023 show season is in full swing. Don't miss any important deadlines for an upcoming Gelbvieh & Balancer® show. Find a list of important upcoming dates including entry deadlines, show dates, locations and links below.

For a full list of upcoming shows including premium book links, tentative schedules and show times, be sure to visit the Upcoming Shows page at Gelbvieh.org. Other important information can be found on the Upcoming Shows webpage includes:

National Western Stock Show | Denver, Colorado

January 6-21, 2024

December 20 - Late Entry Deadline

The Gelbvieh and Balancer junior heifer show and open shows are scheduled for Monday, January 8. The Gelbvieh and Balancer pen show is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9.

If you would like to add a show date to the list of upcoming shows, please fill out and submit the online upcoming events form.

Ring of Gold program details and point submittal forms can be found on the Ring of Gold webpage at Gelbvieh.org under the News & Media tab along with current show season standings. Points for the 2023-2024 show season began after the 2023 AGA National Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and will continue until the end of the 2024 AGA National Show at the Cattlemen's Congress in Oklahoma City.

AGJA Donation Heifer Raffle

DLW Ms Zona 343L

Purchase your tickets now for the AGJA Donation Heifer Raffle to be entered to win your choice between a functional, sound, high-quality female donated by Warner Beef Genetics or $1,000. Tickets may be purchased from any active AGJA member or by emailing GelbviehJuniors@gmail.com with your contact information, ticket quantity requested, and preference of the Warner Beef Genetics heifer or the $1,000 cash option. Jake Renner, AGA member and youth activities coordinator, will be in contact to confirm the tickets requested and receive payment. The winning ticket will be selected during the National Gelbvieh and Balancer Sale on Monday, January 1, 2024, at Cattlemen's Congress. The winner does not have to be present to win. If the winning ticket takes the $1,000, the donation heifer will be auctioned off live during the national sale.

Grab your tickets early!

$10 for 1

$50 for 6

All proceeds go directly to the AGJA and help fund junior activities throughout the year fostering growth and leadership within the beef industry. Contact Jake Renner at jake@gelbvieh.org or 303-465-2333 for more information or with any questions. *If the winning ticket has chosen the heifer and the buyer is not present, the AGJA is not responsible for shipping/transportation costs to get the heifer to its new home.

Breeder's Choice Bull Futurity and People's Choice Futurity Scholarship Applications Open

The Breeder's Choice Futurity, along with the People's Choice Futurity are both awarding a scholarship up to $1000 each to a graduating high school senior or college age student, up to 21 years of age, attending a two- or four-year college, university or technical school. Applicants must be an active member of the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA). Scholarship applications are due December 1, 2023, to the AGA office or emailed directly to the AGJA at gelbviehjuniors@gmail.com.

The winner will be announced during the Gelbvieh and Balancer events at the Cattlemen's Congress held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, December 31, 2023, to January 2, 2024.

Genomic Testing for Selecting Replacement Heifers

Rebuilding the Herd Begins at Pasture Level

Strong Feeder Cattle Sales Boost Feedlot Numbers

When ordering DNA on the AGA Online Registry Service, if you want to parent verify to the sire and dam on file, please select a test that includes parentage (GGP-100k, GGP-uLD or standalone parentage markers). If the verify button is checked with no test ordered, the task cannot be completed.